The National tribune., 1886-08-19
FREDERICKSBURG.
How the 18th Mass. Charged Across the Riv,


To THE EDITOR: member of the old fight
ing l9th handed me a copy Of the August Cen
tury containing Gen. COUGHS article on sum
ner's Right Grand Division, and, placing his
finger upon that portion of il where the cross
ing Of the river i'm boats is spoken OF, said in
tones Of bitterness: "a twinge here pointing
20 what was left OF y once good leg, " reminds me
that the old 18Th was around at that time, and
j swear IL does seem too bad that we should not
at least receive little credit from cur com
mander at that time" ii may have been an
oversight or forgetfulness on the part Of Gen.
Couch, but the incidents of that crossing so far
as the 18th was concerned will bear repetition,
ii for no other purpose than TO make history
correct.
During the bombardment Of the morning of
the llth volunteers were called for 10 lead what
seemed TO be iOrl0rn hope-tO cross the river
in open boats under Ere from an opposing line
OF infantry under cover on the opposite bank
of the river. Two companies Of the eth Mich.
were the first TO ferry themselves across fol-
lowed Immediately by the 18th Mass. The
Michigan companies charged up the river bank,
captured some 20 or 80 rebels, aud returned.
The 18th charged mp the bank by companies, and
went on till they reached the main street Of
the town, called Car0line street. and there
formed in line Of battle. Soon after au Aid
from Gen. Burnside ordered Capt. H. q.
" NSe iiioNAds NoiiliilAuulllS TIC itStiLHlNg 10
fall back with his regiment 10 the river bank,
leaving one company TO hold in check any rebel
advance Of skirmishers or sharpshooters. Co. ID,
Capt. Moncena Dunn, was left in Caroline
Street, and the remainder Of the regiment fell
back. The Aid when leaving told Capt. Dunn
what was expected Of him, and said, q" IL il gets
too hot for you fail back 10 your regiment" Ii
was here while Co ID was engaged IN resisting
The rebel advance that the lamented Chaplain
Fuller was killed and reference TO his Mem
oirs will explain fully the position at that
time.
The 10th Mass. was, with exception Of the
sortie OF two companies Of 'ae 9TH Mich, the
only force that had up 10 that time advanced
beyond the crest Of the river bank. While Co
ID WAS in Caroline street IN action. Cos. L aud
X of tho 18th advanced a second time Co. +,
Capt. Mahony filed out TO the left Of Co. ID !;
Lieut.. Hodgkins with Co. X crossed the street
TO an open lot surrounded by tight board
fence and discovered the rebel line OF battle
advancing and reported the same 10 Capt Dunn.
The Three companies then fell back to the regi-
ment The 20th Mass. soon after coming up
on the left OF the 18th, the two regiments adj
yanced, the 18th in line Of battle, the Goth in
column Of companies. The rebel line was met
on Caroline street. and the 10th Mass, being in
close mass, suffered a fearful loss Of life. Had
that regiment been deployed as was the 18th
the loss would have been much less There is
no desire TO dctTact one iOta of the measure of
praise TO any who We're participants in that
gallant action, but only 10 give a correct YER
sion-MoHcENA DUNN, Lieutenant Colonel,
18th Mass