The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-03-21

the whole so perfectly. and advised immediate
occupation of them; but Baker paid no atten-
ton to his advice.
At about p. m. Col Devens on the right,
was attacked by the enemy, and the fight grad
ually spread TO the center and left; the battle
on the right was not nearly so bad as upon the
list Pa, the rebels contenting themselves in
remaining in the woods and firing on the ex-
posed Union troops
On the left the rebels massed their forces and
dashed with reckless bravery on Bakers loyal
band. On they came. confident in their SUI
periOr numbers, and with shout and curse flung
themselves headlong into the vortex of FIRE
prepared to receive them. 1t seemed that
nothing could stand before their awful on
slaught. But the gallant troops of Baker re-
sponded TO his call with a cheer rivaled each
other in deeds of daring. every man striving with
the strength of a Hercules, and, though the foe
seemed at one time fairly on top of them, rose
superior TO the enemy in their front and hurled
them back in confusion to the woods Cheer
after cheer burst from the boys in blue when
they saw the rebel column, at one time on the
point of victory, suddenly melt away and
vanish.
The fearless Col. Baker had stood in front of
his men cheering them on to greater deeds of
yalor. Lient.-Col. Wistar emulated his supe-
rior's example and fell severely wounded at
the moment of victory. He was carried to the
for the Union, for this success was dearly
bought. The rifed cannon was used no more
that day-in fact, it was only fired about eight
times altogether; after a few discharges the
artillerymen were shot down and the gun was
worked for time by Col. Baker, Adj't-Gen.
Harvey, Coils. Cogswell, Lee and other officers.
But the battle was not yet finished. Time
and again did the rebels break from the cover
of the woods and hurl themselves on the de-
voted band. but just as often were they re-
pulsed. Now it was that the poor formation of
the troops told so heavily. From the wooded
hills TO the left, which Col. Baker failed to
seize, the rebels poured down a CALLING and
destructive fire, TO which the Union men could
not reply with much effect. The reserve forces,
besides afording no help, were exposed TO all
the dangers OF the foremost ranks; thus were
many lives lost Gselessly.
Col. Cogswell attempted to take the wooded
hills whereOn the rebels were stationed, but
succeeded in getting only a short distance in
that direction. The rebels charged them with
undiminished vigor, and for an instant it
looked like COgswell would surely be over
whelmed. Backwards and forwards surged the
lines, and there IS no telling on which side
victory would have rested, when suddenly from
the river bank came glorious cheer, and two
fresh companies of the Tammany regiment
hurled themselves with resstless fury on the
foe. The discounted rebels retired. still fight
ing, 10 their sale retreat Capt Alden. who
commanded the reinforcements, fell at the first
vOley; his troops came into line and fought
manfully the rest of the day.
1t was now seen that the rebels were deter
mined to force the left, for the fighting, though
vigorous was not so furious in front of the
Massachusetts soldiers.
/ rebel officer advanced from the woods on
! the right straight into the Union line, where
t he was captured. He proved to be Lieuten-
/ ant Of the Sth Va, named J. Owen Berry, who,
/ having been left behind, was trying to rejoin
| his regiment.
About 4 p. m, the attack on the left being so
! desperate, Companies II and G, under Capts.
Philbrick and Forehand, of the 18th Mass.
| were detached to assist them.
Men aud officers fell on all sides. Lieut-Col.
Wistar was badly wounded, as was Lieut.-Co
| Ward, of the 18th Mass; Capt. Alden was already
dead; Capt Putnam lost an arm; Adj't-Gen.
Harvey was shot in the cheek, but remained
upon the field.
Col. Baker was everywhere inspiring his
men, always seeking for the hottest portion of
the field, now on the right, now on the left, the
hope OF his exhausted troops. Returning from
the right of the line, he passed in front of the
troops Cogswell had thrown out toward the
hills, walking erect before his PROSTATE sol