The National tribune., 1886-07-08

had made rlhe-plts or b&rr1cades OF rails, ana
we took position as shown at A, the 33d Ohio
on the left in the field the SSth Ind. to the
right and the Gath Ohio on the extreme right.
Moving forward in line the enemy hastily de-
camped. Arriving nc b we changed front and
advanced parallel with the road, until we ar
rived at G, meeting with very little opposition
on the way. Here we halted, for the enemy
was in strong force with artilley just across the
field behind earthworks, and we were in plain
sight, in the open field, in musket range, and
we found the place a little unhealthy. The
other wing Of our brigade was brought mp,
taking position on our right Soon the 33d
Ohio was moved by the left flank across the
ravine-no skirmishers being 0ut-taking po-
sition as shown at ID, with the right Of the
regiment just little way retired from the edge
of the field. Then the SSth Ind. was moved 10
the left Of the 33d, and then the Gath Ohio 10
the left Of SSth, thus reversing the order Of the
regiments. The Second Brigade lI am not pos
tive ms TO the number) Of our division was
then put in on the left Of the oath Ohio. Like
al good soldiers at that stage Of the war, we
soon had q line Of breastworks well under way.
About noon we left our works and moved out
in that front about 200 yards, the right Of the
33d Ohio keeping just inside the woods. which,
however. were entirely free from underbrush.
Here we found the enemy behind a complete
line Of earthworks, from which he gave us q
full line-of-battle fire, dispeling any doubts, if
any existed, that the enemy was there 10 fight.
To the direct fire from the front was added
that Of the battery on our immediate right,
which gave an enflading FIRE, and being near
enough to use canister. In this movement our
/ loss was considerable. Whether the object Of
this movement was any more than reconnois-
sance, am not in condition to say.
Returning 10 our half-comFlcted works, the
men put good deal Of energy into their efforts,
and we soon had a line Of defense which /
/ eoFaeiCaraf MA oOutd hold oU1inCf auvfhinO
coming from the direct front Co. was sent
/ out rs skirmisbes about so yards in front Of
the line, from which point they were driven
when the enemy made his grand advance, and
they then took position, as shown In the map
on the right Of the regiment and facing at
nearly right angles with it. They had no
! breastworkE whatever.
Now please take notice, that at no time was
there any Union troops between the right Of
| 90. A and the road away of 90 the right, o
distance az least equal TO the length Of six
regiments. The ground At the house. and TO
the right OF IT., was higher than any in that
immediate vicinity, and was, think, the key
70 the whole position. Some years since Gen.
1 NcClurg, j think IL was in an article in the
Atlantic Monthly, stated that brigade Of the
Twentieth Corps filed the gap in Hobart's Bri-
Rade. Such a brigade might have been ordered
TO do 80, but they never reached the ground.
Gen. CRrlin aud Gen. Hobart were frequently
along our line, and in fact both participated ia
our foOt-race. aud repeatedly called attention
10 this gap in the line, and assured them that
we could hold our front against any force that
might be brought against us.
About the middle Of the afternoon a scatter
ing FIRE In cur rear sent bullets whistlng over
our heads, and began 10 look up the cause.
discovered line Of Union skirmishers advanc-
ing through the field toward c, in just about
the same line we had advanced earlier ia
4 the CAV and II thew halnuped IN fh IL
brigade which was 10 20 into this position, but
did not succeed In getting there. This is not Ia
be understood ar casting any reflections upon
them, for al accounts agree that the Twentieth
Corps marched hard 70 get there, and no one
knowing them will ever say they failed 10 do
credit TO themselves on every field on which
they fought
] shouted 10 these skirmishers 10 be careful
what they were about or we would reialiate
, when. Just az that moment, our own skirmish-
, ers came In on the run, and j had sufficient
matter IN front 20 occupy my attention. Az
: before stated, Go. A took position on the right
and the enemy came on In n heavy body vari.
oualy estimated ms being from three 10 six linei
. deep. The woods were composed Of pine trees
! about u inches in diameter, with no under
Z brush, 10 that we could see very plainly foi
/ nearly 200 yards.
As soon ~ the enemy came in fall view We
! began V give them the beat VIC had in store
but IL made no difference Twice gave the
command 70 cease firing. that the men might
be kept cool, and j must say they could noi
c have obeyod orders more readily than they did
Q throughout. On came the enemy. There wal
0 neither halt nor pause, only when they came
o within 90 10 60 yards they began firing, bu
: still advancing. They extended into the Geld
D and beyond my right, and IL may be that see
: ing those steadily advancing gave courage u
q those who were getting the force Of our bullets
! On they came, and when wo left our work
Z. they were within 10 feet ef the right OF them
: saw that they extended beyond my right
c BAT there was one thing which perhaps ongh
= b have seen, but did not. That was q larg
q hedy Of the enemy moving across the field upol
snd 10 the rear Of the position marked C, an.
there being absolutely no opposition 10 them
" they were away down In our roar before knew
h. was convinced before seeing them tina