The National tribune., 1886-03-11
HATCHER'S RUN,
As Told in a Comrades Diary.

!
To THE EDITOR: If you will kindly allow
me space in "our paper" / WILL in reply to
Lieut.. Weidensal, of the S4th Pa, give you an
extract from my journal, which will perhaps
| help his memory in regard to the above fight.
My journal of Oct. 81, 1864, reads as follows:
At length, on the 9th, at . in the morning. we
Were awakened by orders to turn out and fall in
III light marching order quickly and quietly as
possible In short time all the available troops
in this corps (the NINTH, and also of the Second
and Fifth Corps, the road ready to proceed,
where we knew not.
Marching "A short distance to the rear we halted
near the Ninth Corps headquarters until day
light Gen. Meade then passed us, going toward
the left, and after took up the line of march
again moving left in front 3" out the Squirrel
Level road" At this point being in plain view of
the rebel line, observed their works crowded
with men intently watching movements and
in their rear long lines of troops and batteries en
route toward their right. We were thus impressed
at the time with the fact that if surprise assault
on their rght-iian contemplated, our halting
at headquarters until daylight had revealed it TO
the enemy, who was now well prepared to give us
a warm reception.
The line of advance formed as follows: The
cavalry held the extreme left in advance. Next
came the Second Corps, under Hancock, and after
him two divisions of the Fifth Corps under War
rem, followed by ierrcros coloredJ Division of the
Ninth Corps. Next came Wilcox with his divis-
ion, followed by Potters Division, holding the
right OF the whole line.
The line advanced by the left flank until the
airy had reached Hatchers Run anG together with
the Second Corps crossed it the Boydton plank
road, six miles from the South Side Railroad, when
the whole line left of division Potters) faced TO
the front and adv vanced the eneiny's works COW
ering Hatchers Run, i'll hopes of cleaning them out
reaching the railroad, and holding it.
Soon after first started the rapid fire of
sklrInishers gave evidence that the rebs had been
struck in force and were heavily dsputing their
ground They were forced steadily back, however,
uncovering III their retreat a battery of two guns
which the skirmish-line charged and captured
The battle was now raging our left. and Ferre-
ro's Division of colored troops hotly engaged.
brigade advanced "A TyLrlnentHi "A
tance of 500 yards to the top of a slight rise of
ground and halted, the right OF division in
nectlon with the extreme left of our old line of
works.
No enemy appeared in our immediate 'front.' and
we were ordered to fall to and throw up a line of
works as quickly as possible. We had no axes,
picks or shovels, but near by old barn.
This would furnish material TO build works,
and fell upon ii, tearing il pieces using the
heavy timber and boards for q backer F." TO our
breastworks and dug and threw up the dirt against
them with the shingles In short time we had a
against assault.
The firing our left lued down, the whole line
lntrenched themselves, and at the firing had
almost ceased We pitched our tents " en- bivouac"
Tor the night aud laid down, under cover of a strong
guard and pic&et-line, to sleep.
Gen. Warren was now endeavoring to connect
hls left with Hancocks right, but failed TO do in
time, and the rcbs. perceiving their advantage,
crossed the Rum" and rushing through the gap
between the Two corps, about O'Clock, under
cover of the thick darkness and fine, misty rain
fell with Tremendous fury Hancock right flank
Corps by causing Warren to refuse his left.
The hercest fire of musketry that the writer ever
remembers OF hearing now burst upon the still
night air, and the battle again opened the attack
being principally upon the Second Corps. These
brave old veterans of many a field at once turned
to meet it, and drove the rebs headong back into
their works, and, under orders from Meade, began
their retreat.
The battle of Hatcher's Run was now over and
early next morning the Second Corps passed in our
rear, followed by the Fifth Corps by division and
In good order At noon Ferrcro's Division passed
u.s. followed by Wilcox, thus leaving our division
(pottcrsl III Its original position.
We now changed position from front to rear and
established line of battle covering the retreat of
the rest of our troops. The rebs advanced heavy
skirmish-line upon us, though not venturing to
attack us in force, evidently satisfied with the pun
ishment they had received from the Second Corps
the night previous.
An attempt made by the enemy's cavalry TO
turn our right, hut owing TO n swamp lying be-
tween US, in which the horses houndered and stuck
while we poured heavy fire into their midst they
Were unsuccessful and speedily retired.
We then moved by brigade from front to rear
back the road we had come. the rcbs following us
to their original picilet-line, where they halted
and at p. IN. we arrived back to our camps, and
both lines held their original position before this
great and unsuccessful move.
GEO. II. ALLEN, Co. B, 4th Z. l., Provi-
dcnce L. l.