The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-05-03


realize that a hostile movement was under
way, and their general firing was succeeded BY
an occasional shot where some effect could be
produced. About 10 O'Clock the 9th Mich were
ordered to fall back to a field completely cut Of
sight of the enemy and then by the left Hank
some half a mile to the point selected for fOrm-
ing Shermans Division As our regiment was
both head Of division aud first brigade Neal
DoW'5l, we formed into line about mile from
the enemy, at place partly visible through
the thinly-scattered trees. Before our prepe-
ratiOns were far advanced the Confederates
commenced experimenting on Us with some Of
their larger guns The shot and shell were
plainly visible, describing their curves in the
air, looking ike black, elongated bars and often
deceiviug Us as to where they would strike
the ducklng Of heads being common, with the
shot from 10 to 20 feet overhead The activity
of staff officers and Couriers continued, prepar-
ing for an assault.
About 1 OF ? o'clock a call was made from the
regiment for 300 volunteers as
A "FoRLORN HOPE"
The Captain and one-half Of Co H immedi-
ately stepped ont, and from the other companies
an equally liberal quantity, so that the number
was more than filed, and good many return
ed to their companies. It was probably 3
o'clock when we moved forward into the open
field preparatory to the assault. It viii DO
necessary 70 give the reader a description Of
the field over which operations were to be car
ried, in order TO understand the situation.
To our right the woods continued Up %
within half mile of the Notifications. From
near the place whore we formed column by
regiment a ravine commenced, continuing TO
grow deeper and larger as it approached tina
works, so that it would hide large number Of
men even quarter Of a mile from the fOrti6-
cations. The ravine lay between Us and the
woods on our right but We were ignorant Of
II uvuT q 4ffrf ~rlnr > Of
protection until after the assault Of the 9th Of
May. little over half q mile from the works
to the lett was a farmhouse, surrounded by
large shade trees and shrubbery, owned By q
man named SchlateT and who also owned the
several fields on our left. On account Of SINH
larity of name and our severe loss that day, the
men formed the habit of afterWard calling il
SLAUGHTER FIELD
In front Of this house, toward the fortiica-
tons, and to the left and right for several miles,
al was open field, slightly rolling, and as the
space approached the river was crossed by ra-
vines. The line Of earthworks had been run
to take advantage Of all the inequalities Of
the ground, the timber also having been cut in
/ the ravines near the works and trimmed 50 as
i to cause most obstruction to passage. Less than
half mile TO our lett, and opposite a sallypOrt
/ the Second Brigade was forming, headed By
/ the 165th n. L, also known as ID Duryea
/ ZOuaves.
/ The SehIater house had been burned the day
before by battery which had been ordered NJ
to counterfeit the fire of the enemy, and large
portion of the shade trees and shrubbery was
badly seorehed. At the right Of the site Of this
| farmhouse we were halted, and under the per
| sOnal supervision of Gen. Sherman It. W. were
| given our last Instructions The shot and shell
/ of the enemy were flying all around US in in
| ereasing quantity, while the General was in
voking the most emphatic curses upon his
ABSENT STAFF OFFICERS,
/ only one of whom was present at this time
/ Lieut.. VIM. 5. TTask, Assistant Typographical
/ Engineer. It was often unaccOuntabie how so
many men and officers would be suddenly
/ struck with the thought Of duties or acts Ok
necessity which required their absence from
/ their commands in time Of danger; bat so it
/ was, and we grew accustomed to their absence
at such times.
| There was Just room enough between the IA
4 vine and shFubbery for our Tegimental line.
! The advance was ordered, Gen. Sherman lead
/ ing the head of the column on his horse, while
/ Gen. Neal Dow and Lieut--COl. Bacon placed
| themselves at the head of the regiment on foot,
/ the 128th n. Y. following closely, leaving the
/ Goth Conn. and 18th N. III. 20 act as support
| As we passed out by the shrubbery, where ali
waSelear, the Confederate guns opened on a,
/ with all their severity. The she'll and solid
/ shot were soon changed to grape. How plainly
we could see the lunches as they rushed forth
| from the guns in solid mass, then separate, cir
/ cling, and humming, and whiZzing, some Of
/ them striking the ground and bouncing over
/ Us, others crushing through. 1t was strange
/ how long they seemed to be coming toward rs
at the time, and yet it was but mOmentary. The
men began to fall, stricken by the deadly shot,
| and among the first was Gen. Sherman, grape
shot crushing his leg and killing his horse.
/ The General lost his leg, and was disabled from
I active service for the remainder of the war; In