Wichita eagle., 1886-11-20

a Oulet -harcH III she NIShC-A SihSie
Shot From the Enemy-The "Lone
RolI'-A Surprise and a Capture-The
Losses of One Brigade.
Gen. F. ". Butterfield had a very com.
plete and interesting diary of the operations
of a portion of Gen. Hancoclls corps the
Second in that memorable campaign under
Gen Grant toward Richmond. 1t is faith
fUl record, written down every day-some-
times after desperate battle, while yet on
the bloody field; sometimes after long and
weary marches. 1t IS a record of almost one
continuous, bloody battle of fifty-one days
duration, the corps being under the enemy S
fire every day of the fifty-one excepting two.
Following we give extracts which are of
thrilling interest:
May 1.-THE two armies have been growl-
ing at each other all day, the lines being only
seventy-1ive or eighty yards apart but con-
cealed in thick. second growth timber | re-
ceived orders from Gen. Hancock to place a
six-gun battery in position, on the front line
OF battle. / selected dense growth of small
pines, where we could work without being
observed by the eremy. Got the battery in
trenched and dragged the guns in by hand.
Sharpshooters busy all along the line, with
heavy cannonading on our right.
Nav l2-At l. o'clock last night we left
our position and marched around to the ex-
treme left. After dumping our knapsaclis
and everything that would make the least
noise. we quietly and slowly marched through
thick woods, brush and weeds until an order
came along the line in a low tone to '.halt;
make no noise: he as quiet as possible The
corps numbered then nearly, il not quite,
$1,000 men, and 50 quiet were they during the
march that enc would scarcely have thought
that there WAS more than one regiment in
motion. Every soldier knew that there was
fun ahead for the morning. and that to make
the fun more interesting it was absolutely
necessary to keep perfectly still, in order to
give us the advantage, and we always liked
to have the advantage in a fight where our
lives were at stake, and We all knew they
would be IN a few hours.
Gen Carroll commanded the First brigade
Of the Third division of the Second corps. As
soon as our men were brought to halt, and
Just as Gen Carroll and staff had dismounted.
Gen. Hancock and staff rode up. and they,
too, dismounted Our men were all in posi-
ton. The moon had gone down and the stars
We're shining brightly All put in the time as
of day. Some tried to sleep, some were crack
ing jokes, and others discussing the situation;
but all spoke in Il voice scarcely above a
whisper
AT TIE DAWN OF DAY.
When the first streak of light appeared in
the eastern horizon Gen. Hancock, who was
vide awake as TO what was about to trans |
l)ire, asked one Of his staff officers for the |
time. On being told that !: was ;j:45, he told |
Gen. Carroll that he better have his men fall !
III, and at the same time sent word to other |
commanders to do the same Our horses |
stood ready, having stood saddled all night. |
We mounted and Gen. Carroll, in rather q |
stentorian voice, forgetting himself for the |
called out to his men: Fall inr' |
Gen. Hancock spoke up quickly and said: |
''Please don't inform the enemy that we are
coming, Gen. Carroll" Soon the men were |
IN line, and the order was given to move for
ward as slowly and silently as possible
The lines Of siaIruishers were fifteen PAGES |
in front Of Us. Slowly, steadily, but firmly. |
we moved on each soldier carving eighty
rounds Of ammunition. Occasionally an off
GER could be heard to calculate in low but
emphatic voice: STEADY there. BOYS: not so
fast; keel quiet" Finally the suspense is
broken, single Shot IS fired The enemv's
outpost has discovered one of our sbirnishers
through the gray morning light. and has fired
at him and rctceated in hot haste. Our skir-
mish line halt, for a moment Our first line
of battle comes up with and joins them. An
other and another shot is fired, and then the
line of battle is ordered to move forward
double quick. Then several of the enemv's
outposts are Sobbled in; great confusion is
heard III our Immediate front; the long rolf
is being beaten; the buglc is sounding ito
arms" in the enemss camp.
OVER THE LINE OF BREASTWORKS
But il is too late. The boys in blue have
been ordered 10 charge with fixed bayonets
Over the first line of breastworks they scram-
bled, and are in the midst of tho enemv's
camp; they are right among their tents The
surprise is most complete Some of the enemy
are only half dressed; some not that, but the
whole camp, some 1000 in all, are prisoners
Of war, including Gen Johnston, one of Gen.
Early's division commanders. Many resisted
capture, only to be bayoneted or shot, Sey-
eral batteries Of artillery also fell into our
hands.
met Gen. Johnston rs he was passing over
his own Notifications on his way to ON. rear
-
these were. told him they were Gen. Han
cocks, and he said: at was the most gaIlaut
charge | ever saw" Ireplicd: YES. it was
rather a gallant affair"
Gen. Carroll's brigade took TWO stands of
,olorS- glory enough for one day The enemy.
much chaSrined at the inglorious surprise in
his quarter, soon came upon us IN great
,orce; but we held our position all day. 1t
was right here, in our front, that trees. which
were about foot in diameter, We're COM
oletely cut down by musket balls Such was
he terrible fire from the enemy
May li-Ne Laid on the battle ground all
night. had charge of the sairlnish line. and
1t o'clock this morning l received orders TO
move slowly forward, supported bv Gen Car
roll We drove the enemy several hundred
yards capturing several stands of colors and
two pieces of artillery Gen. Carroll was
broken
Carrolls brigade has lost in this can1nai~n
since Mays, or only ten days-1 2i5 men
and officers. Yesterdays and to-lavs fight
ing is called the hattie of Spottsvlvania-
Kansas City Journal
An optical Delusion.
In The ZeitSchrift fur Geteorolocje Pro
lessor j. -iann combasS the opinion. not un-
,OrnDDu orror,~- tourists u, ~, ,,,,,.,,.: |