The National tribune., 1890-05-01

rcpcating-rifles. After n short lull another
column in blue came charging boldly to tho
front. This was the brigade of Gen. W. b.
Curtis, known as the Second Brigade, lnde-
pendent Division, Twenty fourth Corps con-
sisting of the saith Pa, 23d I'll. and the 18th
w. Va. Gen. Curtis's own rcgiment), the latter
regiment leading, aud beng with Gen. Curtis,
the first 10 the fort.
When they reached the moat they found it
full Of Federal soldiers, who had sought safety
there from the deadly swath of bullets. Moth
ing dauutod by the terrific slaughter of their
comrades. these brave men swarmed up by
cimging TO he sides of the ditch aud by push
ing each other up. As the first raised them
selves to the parapct they were swept away to
n man by rapid v0licys, and rolled back dead
and wounded among many others of their
comrades. | distinctly remember seeing
stand of United States colorS thrown up and
into tho fort by tho Federal Ensign. 1t was
done 10 stimulate the men, and did it; for by
n combined effort they swarmed M, around,
aud over the fort. aud poured in voliey which
killed aud wounded about 20 of the defenders.
Gen. Curtis then commanded cease firing"
and Capt. Jones lat present our efficient Cham
Gerry Clerk surrendered the fort 10 him. Col.
Duncan having previously been wounded III
the head.
Thus Fort Gregg was lost rs was two of orr
regiments, and Harris's Brigade was reduced
to about 200 men. As our men were marched
10 the rear they had 10 pass over the front of
Fort Gregg, and witnessed the terrible realities
OF the attack, and they declare that the on
slaughts of Fredericksburg, the Wilderness,
and SpOttsylyania were as naught to it..
The Federal loss is estimated from Federal
sources to be about 700; some estimates placing
il above 1000. Gen. Grant, in his " Memoirs"
places II at ia, believe. Some historians"
say that the fort was SO obstinately defended
that only 30 OF its defenders were left alive.
This is inaccurate rs the loss did not exceed 20
men. While the assault on Gregg was in prog
re-s, we in Battery Whitworth were not idle.
We piled our long range rifles with some effect
on the solid columns Of tIbhon. A Georgia
battery Of Parrott guns was placed IN this bat
terry 10 assist ia the defense, but they might
just as well have been in Jericho as there, for
their fire of riled shell aud shot was perfectly
useless. 4 few Nap9lc0us would have account
ed for themselves in short meter. ] glanced at
a piece just at my right, aud though not q
practical artillcryman, ! had sense enough Of
the arm 10 know about its effectiveness If
properly used. ] noticed particularly two shots
from the piece. The range was about 600 yards,
aud the elevation of the piece was enough 10
throw the ball ono mile; the shells exploded
high in the air and beyond the column OF at
tack. We vented our displeasure at such marks
manship, and freely expressed our opinions rs
TO what sort of stuff constituted proper artil-
their pieces while on their knees, and when
an order came to move to the rear, they did
SO with so much basic as 10 ovcrturn one
of their pieces at the gorge and we had
TO put IL on its legs" again. 4 good
battery there would have been worth 1000
men, as the column was easily enfladed
AS soon rs Gregg fell, wo Of Whitworth saw
that "our turn came next" and girded our
loins for the Y. The flag of the 18th Miss
foated above Us, aud many balls pierced its
folds that day, and twice was 10 shot from its
staff The third timo IL was attached to a rifle
aud deiautly Haunted in the faces Of our
assailants. Gen. Harris mounted the parapet
and waved the flag over our heads, and shouted
Give en- hell, boys" ] tried 10 give someone
hell, rs ! leaned against a sspling support, but
caught it myself, a ball struck it and made
me tired of the aiTray.
The column that attacked Fort WhtwOrth in
conjunction with the assault on Fort Gregg
was led by Brighten T. VI. Harris, whose COM
mission was then only five days old. His com
mand consisted Of the I0th 18th. 18th w. Va,
58th Pa, 3ith Mass. 10th and 1885, Ohio,
and they came tumbling over tho works " like
they were in hurry about something; or as
Gen Harris, u. ). A., writes, that we seemed
shy about each other that day; anyhow, see
ing that our " blue-belly" friends had a hank
criBg after that particular spot, aud having
urgent business at Petersburg to answer roll-call
we lett them IN possession as soon rs our Gen.
Harris gave the word, every man for himself"
Being peculiarly constituted by nature, / have
always noticed many little things that have
bearings Of importance, may be, but especially
II they trend 10 the ridiculous. Our rapid
movement Of change OF base was fraught with
much fun, and / noticed how Col. Phelps Of
the 18th Miss, gathered his cumbersome limbs
together for the mighty effort. As he cleared
the gorge he SHE'D 10 the left, and a bullet
hoUfHa Ina ,F,,sS
OF life came before him. aud with 2:i0- gait
he LIT out. Another ball spent Of its mission
and fury struck bin ia the back, and oh. my,
you should have seen that ls0-pound six. foot
man git" / laughed until was weak. Our
Colonel ~. NJ. jayne stopped ball with his
leg. and was captured. Gen. T. VI. Harris, u.
3 A., got his sword. and returned il after the
war to him. Our General n. II. Harrisj was
pOriiy man. deyo4 Of fear, and aggressive.
4 lie did not relish the homcstretch," and
soon became tired. The run exhausted him,
aud while catching breath he said TO me,
I III be- ID If ] run any more" Just
4 then his brother aud Aid de- Camp Capt.
] Win Harris, threw up his hat in defiance OF
/ repeated summons 80 surrender, expecting ii
/ 70 fall IN front Of him, aud he would pick It an
as he passed, but il fell behind him and he
stopped to pick il up just as the Federals fired
q hasty yolley at us The y0lley stimulated
| Gen. Harris, his brother, aud myself TO renewed
eZertions, 50 much so that believe that we led
tue boys into the last ditch Of Petersburg
/ splitting into spray the placid waters Of Old
| Town Creek. There we stood, catching ouI
| breath and preparing for further aggressivenegs
| on the part Of the Fedcrals. Why they did not
push their advantage is a mystery If they
had done 50. Petersburg would have easily
fallen; for, beside our depleted brigade, on y
Benning's 300 men were AZ hand on the South
Side Railroad 10 resist the advance
That night we passed through Petersburg
and rconed our division ~ Chesterfield sta
ton, from whom We received marked regard
pathetic scene was our march through
Petersburg. The sounds Of strife from City
Point, Jerusalem plank road, IN fact, from APP
p0mattUX River 10 its juncturc with the James
up to the South Side Railroad was not the cen
Ter Of interest that was tho defense Of Gregg
Somehow, the hopes Of the people rested there
and Mississippi yalOr WAS appreciated, as wa
testified when that night we filed through tn
city attended by The walls aud means of tin
inhabitants. Fort Gregg stands to-day leg
acy 10 American VaIor. It's resistance aud IL
attack arc heirlOoHg that testify of courage
desperation and devotion that mono can gain
say. Gen. 6IbBOu himself 80 much appreciate,
the event as 70 present the 18th w. Va. with
Golden Eagle 10 surmouut their State colors
with the following inscription:
Presented to the l2th w. Va. Vol. Infy, b.
their Corps Commander, Gen. John Gibb0u
for gallant conduct ia the assault upon For
Gregg IN front Of Petersburg, on the I'd day q
April, 1863"