The National tribune., 1889-07-25
BATTLE OF RESACA.
The Celebrated Charge of Robiusor's Brlsad,

The Celebrated Charge Of EobinsoE's Brigade.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: | send you an
extract from my History of the 45th \. X,
which will furnish your readers graphic de-
scrirtion on a disputed point in regard To the
attack on aud relief of the 9Th Ind battery on
the evening of May Ii, 1861, Mt the battle OF
Resaca, Ga:
Early in tho morning of May IL the 45th
N. Y. was ordered back to the entrance OF
Snake Creek Gap To guard mountain pass
where part of the enemy troops were expected
TO come through, the whole of the rebel army
being in full and buried retreat towards
Resaca. From our elevated position we wit
messed this retreat aud occasional attacks by
our troops on their Hanks. AT p. IN. we re-
eeived orders to join our brigade near Resaca,
where we arrived at 10 a. M May Ia, taking
our position i'm line of battle while the battle
was in full progress, our division being held IN
reserve At 4 p. M. our division was thrown
over to the left, our regiment in advance
Marching by the left flank through the heids
and roads. we arrived at narrow gap, behind
which our trains were parked. On the outside
front and center of the gap the 9th Ind. battery
independently was posted. with infantry oil the
Fourth Corps Oh both TANKS. The 45th NJ W
as it filed out from the woods, was posted along
the high and steep bank of a deep cut oil
wagon road leading up the hill along the gap
Our limo was hardly complete when the enemy y,
unuGr ten. ttODu, III tull iOItcs hta'i'NSo WV
gap presumably in quest of our trains Tho
infantry on both TANKS of the battery gave
way without firing aud retreated, but the 9th
Ind. battery belched forth in rapid firing aud
furious defense without wavering until IN
momentary danger of falling into tho hands OF
the enemy. But Gen. Hooker, who with Con.
Howard halted in the gap only few yards on
our left, ordered tho 45th n. Y. on the double
quick right straight over to the battery. In
an instant the first line shot down the steep
embaukment, most soldiers on their seats, tho
second line following as quick as lghtDingi
then over the other road bank down into and
across q crooked brook, whereby the line was
somewhat disordered, but quickly corrected I;
aud the attack being changed TO n run and
right.wheel, IL took the utmost exertions TO
maintain the line proper with the regiments OF
our brigade on our right. With tremendous
burrsh the 45th rushed over and through the
battery, drawing line with and on both Hanks
of the battery, and opened fire on the enemy,
who retreated faster than he bad come under
the fire and tremendous hurrah of the entire
brigade and battery. This easy victory had
not been expected, as Hoods Division was
renowned rs the best troops in Gen. Johnston 8
army. Old Gen. Hooker sat in the saddle
chuckling with delight over this brilliant aud
nearly bloodless victory, which afterwards was
known in history rs THE celebrated charge OF
Robnson's Brigade" illustrated in all weekly
and monthly papers; Colonel thereafter Cen
eral) Robinson having commanded the First
Brigade, Third Division, Eleventh Corps, con-
soldated with the Twelfth Corps aud known
as the Twentieth Corps, Gen. Hooker com
handing The officers and men OF the 9th Ind.
battery were relieved aud safe, aud our line
advanced half mile for the night, where we
rested on arms.
Early in the morning Of the 18th the bat
tic continued, our regiment skirmishing and
the brigade turning the enemy's flank; the
rifie-pts were taken and the enemy pressed
back to the forts. Our regiment was detached
10 support q battery in a gap opposite the
| largest fort, and witnessed some splendid ar
| tilery practice. strong rebel infantry line
| issuing from the fort was greeted by our bat
! terry with such precision that il made large
| visible gaps ia the line, which hastily retreat
| ed behind the fort. Next morning our rcgi-
| ment passed over the same ground and found q
! large number of c0rpses terribly manged by the
sbclls) After the artillery was we'll establish
ed we marched through the gap aud through
| the heavy FIRE from the fort aud Joined the
| brigade, which had hanked the fort This
| large and strong fort made stubborn resist
auce. notwithstanding the fact that our infan-
| try crept up near to the walls under the moai
murderous fire. The SD H., which on our left
/ bad advanced close 10 tho rear OF the fort, wA'
attacked by rebel infantry and sustained heavy
| loss. Our regiment WAS ordered 10 return e
the batteries for support. The enemy retreat
ed at p. IN. aud left the forts. Next morning
we pursued the enemy TO tho Coosa River
| where we crossed at $50 n m. May II, 1861
AUGUST HoRsTMATN, Adiutant, a5th N. Y.
| St. Louis, No.