The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1888-06-23

That form of assault most dreaded hv the
best OF soldiers, thanking movement. The
force OF it was against Sickles' left center,
his weakest point, occupied by Il thin line of
infantry and the Ninth Massachusetts, bat
terry, under Capt. John Biselow. The Ninth
belonged to the artillery reserve and was
posted here by the chief of tho brigade, Mai.
Freeman McGilvery, with the order to ''hol,l
the ground until | get two batteries on the
ridge. Give them grape and canistcrn A
Confederate battery advanced and unlm-
bered close to Bisclow, and the infantry
rushed upon his guns so close us to he blown
to fragments. Some climbed upon the
limhcrs and shot down the horses. When
McGilvcry had placed the rear batteries in
position Bigelow retired two of his pieces by
the aid of ropes and the force of the rccoil
at each discharge. More than half of his
men and officers We're down, and on arriving
at the Trostlc house, where there was a com.
manding knoll, he made another stand until
he was completely surrounded. and then or
dcrcl his men to save themselves. Now be
gan fight for life and freedom, and the bat
terry spikes and sponge stats were used u, de-
fcnse. Private Ligal Drained Confederate
with the heavy head of his rammcr Birc-
lows fight was forlorn hope and lasted
three hours, and in it he expended over three
tons of ammunition. Eighty out of his
cighty-eight horses fell, two officers were
killed, and Bigelow was severely wounded;
and of the men seven We're killed and sixteen
wounded, while but two surrendered.
Among the infantry rc-enforccments that
came tn Sickles' aid in the heat of the strur-
gle We're the brigadcs of Brooke Cross.
Zook and Kelly, OF Caldwelrs division, Han
cocks Second corps AS Kclly's men tho
Irish brisadel came up to the line of fire the
commander ordered halt, and each soldier
knet while Il priest pronounced absolution
OH all who might fall. Mingled with his
solemn "Amen!" sounded the word "For-
ward! and the remnant of the five battalons
of Corcoran and Mcaghcr, now reduced to
six companies all told, moved on under their
banners of the green and the blue. Zook
went forward not less gloriously A staff
officer was riding across the field to find
Caldwell and ask for aid ut threatened
point, and he CHANGED to meet Zook before
Caldwell appeared. To save time he asked
Zooll to go with him. My orders are to
follow the column, said Zook. But IL glance
to the lines told him that this was no time for
ceremony, and he added: "lf you will give
me the order Of Gen. Sicklcs will obey it,"
',rhen his order is that You file Your
brigade to the right and move into action
here
Zook wheeled his men out of column and
started across the Wheat Field, but exhausted
and disorSanized masses of men, driven back
from the front, olstructed his march. Zoob
now cried out
Men, if You cannot get out of tho way, lie
down and let me march over YOU
So the column went on and Zuok fell at
the head of it, living just long enough to
hear the shouts OF victory when the field was
Won. Zook's successor, Col. II. T. Roberts, of
the One Hundred and Fortieth Pcnnsyl-
vania, was also killed here, and three other
regimental commanders were wounded.
Tho One Hundred and Fortieth lost ail
men, over half its strength, and tho spirit
that moved tho men was exhibited by u
STRIPPING in the ranks who was warned to
shelter himself from tho sllal',shootcrs
terrible aim. Drawing himself to his full
height he swung his arms out dcfantly, and
answered: 81 am on the soil of Pennsylvania
now, and if they get me down they'll have to
shoot Inc down"
When Sickle,' anglo had been broken there
was Il new rush from the Confederate line,
extending up the lmmitsburg road to Han
cocks front. Asthis latter officer came riding
down the field lie saw u group Of Southern
battle flags advancing toward Thomas rcall-
lag battery, and there was no infantry as
hand excepting eight companies of the First