The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-04-25

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: / was not
fortunate enough to read the commnnica-
tion Of w. II. Hardwick on the battle Of Pied
mont, June 5, 1864, but from the answers of
comrades / can get very good idea of what
he has written. He is certainly mistaken
when he asserts that they had no artillery in
position, for / distinctly remember that while
we were in position threatening the rebel right
wing, our company lost one gallant soldier Jos.
L. Lyons, killed by missile thrown by a
rebel cannon. Our Adjutant also lost his black
mare that day by rebel shell. He is also
wrong when esays: If their right wing had
stood as firm as their left and center, Hunter
might have had reason to change his mind in
regard to the advance on Lynchburg." Ny
recollection is that their center gave way first.
We were taken 10 their extreme right, intend
ing to charge there, but our brigade was finally
withdrawn from there, leaving only a Skin
mish-line, and marched back through the
woods and up a small rayine, screened from the
view OF the rebels, until we were only a short
distance from their works near the center OF
their line. The First Brigade had made two
magnificent charges, driving the rebels into
their works on the first charge but failing to
dislodge them in thesecond. Our brigade tine
Second) had just got into position when Lieut.
heigs rode In front of our line and told us
If we would mold out for five minutes the day
was ours. How quickly bis words were veri.
fed, for 1t was not five minutes until we were
inside of their works. / think that our regi.
ment (the 18th w. Va was first inside Of
! their works, crossing at an angle in their line
not hat we were more anxious TO 20 in thar
/ the Others but from the nature of the forma
! ton Of the line we were nearer to the enemy
! position when the charge was made
/ also take exceptions TO the assertion o
! COmrade Sheifey, IN your issue of Marcel
IA, that his regiment (the 10th Ohio alon
! took about 500 prisoners. If his regiment haC
been alone they would have taken very few
prisoners. OF the !, 100 prisoners taken at tba
time the credit of their capture belongs equal,
to every regiment engaged in the fight, for the,
all did their duty in the positions in wbic
they were placed. As well might / assert tina
! alone captured 100 of them, for had at leas
that many under my charge for few minutes
The only time / have seen that claim equal
ed was shortly after the charge, when hal
dozen infantrymcn had corraled four or fiv
hundred prisoners in field near the breast
works. company or two of cavalry cam
charging around them, and claimed the capt
ure Of the whole business.
would also like 10 say few words in II
gard 10 the capture of Fort Gregg. When Ger
Butler started on his expedition to captuI
Fort Fisher the division taken from the Arm
of the James was replaced by a division frol
the Army Of West Virginia and in the REQ
ganization which took place afterward the
were known as the Independent Division
Twenty-fOurth Corps, and the white heart ,
the Second Division was given them as a corr
badge. The charge which resulted In the cap
ure of the fort was made by one brigade of til
First Division aud Second Brigade Of the Il
, dependent Division. ] think the records wi
; verify this statements. b. JENKINS, Co.
18th w. Va, Chattanooga, Tenn.