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


believe there is no statement IN 1T that Will
not bear the light of investigation. Though 1t
should be understood that wrote OF our own
regiment only, and not of the entire battle, or
of the other regiments. Col Hawkins and my
self went over the account carefully and made
1t as correct as possible and know that nc was
very particular that justice should be done 10
all, but appeared quite Indifferent regarding
himself In the Colonels reply it would APP
pear that he has forgotten the existence OF this
book. designed to record the adventures of has
regiment, though he uses some OF Its text With
out the credit he gives to other publications.
The battle was still continuous, and about 10
o'clock a. IN. the Third Brigade was sent for, and
they began to advance, the Hawkins ZouaveS
taking the lead. With them went the heroic
Lieut.-Col. NJ. De Monteuil at their head. The
road leading to the scene of action was tortuous
and narrow, and it was frequently necessary 10
double files in order to make room for the
wounded who were now being brought IN. 1t
was pitiable sight, but it gave birth to Feso-
luton that determined to gain victory worthy
of such blood, and the 9th pushed forward with
nervous anxiety to grasp the rebel foe by the
throat. They were now close upon the marsh
where the battle was roaring with undated
fury. But the field of conflict could not yet be
seen by the Zouaves so dense was the wood. a
reporter was observed behind q tree taking
notes. Gen. Parke was in great glee, as, point
| right; come on. We have plenty of men-more
| than we know what to do with. The day will
| be ours" On they advance; the head Of the
| column is near the clearing; the bullets and
| shots getting thicker. The Zouaves will never
| forget the words of Gen. Foster: Now is the
| time; you are the men. Charge the battery !"
| Upon either hand the Massachusetts and Con-
necticut troops gave way to make room for them,
| crying: 4" Here come the Red Caps They are
| going to charge. Come on; you are the men,
| etc.
The orders that Col Hawkins received were
| to endeaver to flank the enemy on their left !;
and for this purpose he led the regiment short
| distance OFF the causeWay into the swamp. Inc
utter impassabiity OF the morass and abatis
Immediately assured him that different pro-
gram must be pursued, and that without delib-
| GRAFTON. He suddenly conceived the resolution
| of making desperate charge upon the enemy.
| Knowing this must be done without delay, he
| turned the head Of the column again upon the
narrow road leading through the swamp, and
the only available means access to the battery.
| For a few moments all firing ceased, and the
stiffness Of death sat like a specter on the bat
| tlefied. At this instant Lieut.. Col. Belts came
| up to Col Hawkins and said, f." think, Colonel,
! we had better charge the battery" Tell tloc-
| ton tosound the charge" was the Colonelsreply.
| Mai Kimball was standing off the causeway,
| in the mud and water up to his waist. Chaplain
| Conway was near the head OF the regiment. Inc
| thunder Of the artillery reopened the combat,
| and the moment the Zouaves beheld the puff of
smoke from the embrasures every man pros
trated himself upon his face with the quickness
| of thought, and with whirl of awful destruc-
ton the grape and canister sped overhead and
lodged in the woods behind, scattering death
IN the ranks OF the regiments stationed there.
1t was at this moment that the brave DEMON
teuil received a ball in the forehead and fell
with his face to the foe. His death was deeply
| regretted by all the men. All this occupied
| but few moments, and when Col. Hawkins
had again reached the causeway with the head
Of the column he saw Maj Kimball coming in
on the charge with the left wing of the regi-
ment. While the smoke of the enemy's guns
still mantlcd their works the clear sound oil
the bugle-uotes was heard, aud the Zouayes
again sprang forward, shouting their War-cry
of Zoo 100000 Both wings Of the regiment
rushed On together, many Of the men in the
onset being jostled from the roadway into the
deep mud and water upon either hand. They
soon reached the moat filled with water, into
which they sprang and began climbing up the
enemys battery. By their alacrity every OBJ
stacle was overcome, aud pushing and pulling
one another up on the parapet accomplishing
feat which the enemy thought to be impossi-
ble), upon which the colors were planted, they
drove the rebels from their guns before they
had time to reload and pour into the Zouayes
a second volley. II was one Of the most i'm
posing sights as well as the
FIRST BAVoNET CHARGE OF THE WAR.
After pursuing the enemy and capturing
prisoners at Shallowback Bay (among them
Commandant Wisc) the victorious regiments
as they passed, cheered heartily for the charge