The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-10-25
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What Our Veterans Have 10 Say About
Their Old Campaigns
THE LIGHT DIVISION.


Their Charge 1t M1T1eS Nights.
FDrroR NATIONAL TRIBUSE: Noticing the
Rrticle IN TIKI NATIONAL TRIBUNE OF Sept as
bv James Robinson. allow me for the 9th Ne.
10 say that the charge he describes as being
made by the 6Ist Pa. could not have been the
same OF 70 have taken place at same tire as
that claimed for the Light Division, sixth
Corns. Oh Narve's flights, May 3 1868 IF SO,
Comrada Robinson ana ] could not see alike.
He saws the 6Ist Pa, with co. X on its left,
made the principal charge of Pratt-s Light 5l-
vision on that point, and that its Colonel
Spear was killed at tie swamp while getting
ready to charge up The hiii, and that a meRibcr
Of Co. * was among the first to scale the WORKS
where the Washington Battery Was captured.
The ASSEMBLING party Of our Light DIvls-
ion. Sixth Corps, Gel. Hiram Burnham COM
handing, was composed Of the 9th Ne. in line
OF battle, with two companies Of the 9th Wis
depl0yed as skifmsshcrs, the whole led by Col
i. s. Allen, OF the 9th Wis. Those two Tegi-
meuts had been together from July. 1861, and
rs Ger. Sheridan said ia April, 1860, OF his
cavalry and the sixth Corps, they understood
each other"
We marched from below through the town
just as daybreak, aud were huddled into
small depression that had been ezcayated for
some purpose. Our left was at the right of the
road leading to tie left Of the hill. Our line
was in front Of and nearly parallel TO the ROAD
with q stone wall and ditch on Its lower side,
which went 10 the right Of the bill, Above
this roal was q line of earthwOr6s, with,
think embrasares for seven guns, connected
and fanked by bFeastWoTkS for infantry. Al
the rear Of this battery was the cemetery, in
closed with brick walls Between Us and the
road with stone wall and ditch was a compare
lively smooth and level plain, 10 TO 20 rods
wide, DISTRACTED with several buildings
After we were in place we were directed to
leave everything we c0Hld except our arms,
~ as g. F-lrr
distance 70 the right As u leint 10 draw the enc
IaF's attention. and that when we should hear
musketry-fTing IL that direction sharp and
fierce. we-ghat IS, the THO companies of the
5th Wis. as skirmishers and the 9th Ne. in line
Of battle-had to carry that hill.
The writer that Gay was one Of the 9th Me.
color guard. Our orders were on hearing the
signal, to rush for the center of the opposing
battery; to keep wen closed to the colors; the
Bzirmishers. after drawing the enemy's fire, to
file up and 20 in with the main line; not man
10 ere till we were over the first line. We
We're not then, nor ever after, given any Instruc-
tions what TO do in case We were repnlsed.
The balance Of Col. Burnham's command was
mGssed under cover to our left and rear. Soon
after we got into position several Of our bat
ferries were placed some distance in our rear,
and at once exchanged compliments with the
batteries on the hill IN front Of Us. From
where we lay it looked as if both sides were
aiming directly al Us, or were trying 10 see
how low they could fire without touching Us.
VIII not say how long this lasted. Every
man Rugged mother earth as never before, and
waited. Cannon reared, shells screamed. We
groveied and waited. Nine O'Clock, 10 O'Clock,
when. harkt Another kind Of roar-the long
waited but dreaded signal was heard. We
started at once all were equal, and we're so
treated by the enemy for shot and shell,
not officers and privates.
Darr If rpaGFrrS fFfG ton cf he hill One
hundred and tweHty-seveu Of the 9th Ne
over -third-stopPed Oh the way. Many OF
them knew no pain. Some o. them are now
drawing from Uncle Sam few cents a day In
fall payment for the pieces Of legs arms, etc,
lost Gu route. The equality las ceased, and the
officers now fare better than do the priyates.
Many Of the enemy were induced TO stay
with US. Some We had 10 labor with, even Kill,
before they seemed willing to do so. Some got
away, how many ! cannot say How many
were ~ front OF Us At first ] never knew, but
] was always EelI convinced that there were
enough Of them. 1t was the only time / eyel
saw men killed with the bayonet or dubbed
masket.
Col. Burnllam was not a man who would put
another regiment where he would not put his
own.
Cgmrade Robinson does not name Col Burn.
ham, but speaks only Of Pratt's Light Divis
ion. Gen. Doubleday. IN his book, Chaueel
A0Ert-lAE anu IetAg aDlTEs mentions II a.
Light Brigade Sixth C0rps- commanded by
Col. BUruham. Of the 9Th Mass" ] called hi:
attention 10 the error. and have his acknoWl
EdEment dated april =. 1884.
] do lot want 70 claim or take any honoi
sway from tbe 6lst Pa. or any other command
That reg ment might have done more than i
acre claimed for Col. Burnham's command, bu
1t different place or time.
] have not access TO any books or records
imply relate what ] saw There are those We
living who know more Of the day in question
and ean tell it better VIII not they do so
Who viii write about this same Light Dyis
ions part On the night 81 May 4, before gettin
back across the river az Banks's Ford
sedgWicks part IN the campaign Of Chancel
lorsyille and Gettysburg has not yet been prop
cry told. VIII some one do the Cuty2 vs.
Of the ranks simply know that we went wher
and did all that Uncle John ever asked
in full confidence that what ne commando
was right aud must be done. We never disGI
pointed him, and he never disappointed Iii
fuperiors.-GE0 +. PEAKS, Co. b, Gth Ms
Battle Creek, Aeb