Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-01-23

Heavy Artillery, relative to some things
= that occurred at the battle of Reams'
Station, Virginia, in September, 1864,
where the Union side reaped no glory.
That our forces there suffered as they
did, and were finally compelled to a
disastrous withdrawal, is explained by
the historical accounts of the move
ment. The statements of Comrade
Pike throw some side-ights on the
situation, and significantly explain the
ways in which the blunders and in
efficiency of people in authority cause
the sacrifice of brave men in battle.
The movement against the Weldon
Railroad, below Petersburg, had been
successful at great cost. "In the three
days struggle" says Harper's History
of the Great Rebellion, page 703, "the
Union loss was 4,543, of whom more
than two-thirds were missing" From
the latter fact, the historian argues
that large number of the conscripts
and substitutes took their departure at
this point for the good of the army.
What followed the holding of the
Weldon Railroad must be particularly
stated, in order that we may under
stand the account of Comrade Pike.
The historian goes on to say:
1T was now resolved to destroy the
railroad for dozen of miles south of
the point where it was held by War
rem. For this purpose part of Han
cocks corps, which had been with
drawn from across the James, with q
brigade of cavalry, 5000 men in all, was
dispatchedon the 21st. In the course
of the next two days the work was eff
fectually performed for four miles, as
far as Reams' Station, where hasty
and ill-planned breastworks were
erected. On the morning of the oath
it was pursued three miles further, and
orders were given that on the next day
five miles more should be destroyed.
Up to this time no enemy had been en-
countered, and none was looked for.
But Lee had in the meanwhile sent q
strong force under Hill down the Boyd
town road, which showed itself on the
morning of the 25th. Hancock then
Withdrew his infantry behind the
breastworks at Reams' Station,
the cavalry having been pushed
some distance to the left. Two
sharp attacks were made and repulsed.
Hill then, assuming a position where
his artillery could take Hancock's line
in reverse, opened q hot fire, throwing
the Federals into some confusion. This
was followed by an impetuous charge, by
which the disordered lines were broken
through, and three batteries captured.
The breastworks were captured after O
feeble resistance, and all seemed lost.
Miles, whose lines had been broken
through, succeeded in rallying upon a
new Line, where the advance Of the
enemy was checked and one of the lost
batteries regained. Night put an end
to the contest, and Hancock in the
darkness withdrew"
We could see from the first (said
Comrsde Pike that our force was
largely outnumbered. When we got
back to the breastworks out situation
was not much improved. We were
fanked and our batteries were capt
ured. I saw the Confederates bring
ing artillery out of the woods; it opened
on our works, and they were quickly
torn with shell. I had the idea that
they were old and poor works; ce1-
tainly they did not Withstand that
shelling as well-made earthworks
would have done. At Cold Harbor we
poured ton of hot iron on their works
before the assault, and it did small
damage.
AS the fight progressed I saw that
our line was everywhere being forced
back. Several times my regiment had
to change front to meet an attack from
new direction, and we could see that
we were being more and more fanked.
Our losses had been heavy; still we
were keeping up the fight with good
show, when the men began to cry out
for ammunition. There were not more
than three cartridges left to man.
There was no General, no staff of
ficer in sight, and no ammunition
wagon.
I had acted some time as the
ColonePs orderly, and he now dis
patched me to the rear for cartridges.
He sent four men with me, telling me
to find ammunition, and not to come
back without it.
Back some distance, and still near