Passaic City record., 1891-09-12

EGAA ~ burg. The attack
oCN<4 was delivered by
three heavy columns at three separate
points, and repeated again and again
through the day. At dark the same story
had to be told everywhere. Impregnable
works with ditch before, approached
only by narrow ways; whitening fire and
cross-fre from behind them, in the face
of which no troops could stand or ad-
vance; the attacking parties shot down by
hundreds, mainly unable to cross the
ditch or climb the parapet. The besieged
fought under cover, and met with but
slight loss. In the bloodshed and mutt.
lation of that dreadful day it was proven
that the defenders of Vicksburg would
fight desperately for their works, and that
the latter could not be taken by assault.
Weary weeks of the pick and spade fol-
lowed
This narrative does not aim to give
circumstantial account of these opera
tions; yet because some of those of whom
we write were there, and saw and partici-
pated in these things, it is right to refer
to them. Victor Hugo, in writing of
Waterloo, gives us conspicuous instances
of personal valor. They were matched
in the heroism of the American volun-
teers in the actions along the Mississippi
Men yet live who can tell you how at
Vicksburg Sergeant with a handful of
men penetrated an outwork and held it
awhile, though commanded by higher
one, till all but the Sergeant were slain
IN the spot. They will tell you of flags
peing planted on the parapet. and idly
waving there all day; for when those who
assaulted were beaten off they covered
the place from the approaches with their
rifles and shot down all who tried to seize
the flags from within. Hurled back from
the face of the works, the assailants
crouched behind anything that would
offer cover, and fred at the top of the
parapet In the ditch and near it they
hung to this grim warfare till nightfall,
when they were withdrawn. Thousands
were sacrificed in the useless attempts.
Our Mountain Battalion, worn to about
the proportions of a company by the serv-
ice ii had seen during that month, was in
the assault. The remnant fell back from
the slaughter, and during the following
hours the survivors gathered themselves
together. Not more than one-half report
ed. With other victims, the missing were
lying in the ditch or before it, dead OF
hurt beyond the power of motion.
Captain Hankins found himself IN COM
mand. Where is the Colonel?" he asked.
Nobody remembered to have seen him
after the first fierce rush into the fire from
the works One man, who carried plank
to bridge the ditch, was certain that when
he fell Colonel Smedley caught up the
plank, laid it across, dashed over it, and
shouted to the men to follow.
"Yes that was SO, another said. Il
was close behind him when ball caught
me in the leg, and I had to come away"
I'm afraid he's gone" groaned Han
kins.
The men anxiously compared notes.
Several had seen him on the other side of
the ditch, trying to mount the work; but
the inces sent flashes of fire and puffs of
smoke from inside it filed the air with
confusion, and they lost sight of him. No
man had seen him fall; but it was certain
that he had not returned, or he would be
among them then.
There was flag of truce next day to
bury the dead, and several of the noun
taineers were of the party. Among the
hundreds of slain they searched every
where for the body of Colonel Smedley,
but did not find it. They came back
with heavy hearts. Many of the bodies
were in such condition. from exposure
to the sun, that identification was impos-
sible. They did not doubt that his was
among them. Captain Hankins reported
him as dead. 1t appeared in the lists
published in the Northwestern papers.
Major Brandon, convalescing at Cincin-
natl on detached service, saw the report
and read it to his wife-for Alice CLAY
bore her old name no longer. They had
been married the previous winter, resolved
to secure even the transient happiness that
the situation offered.
@Dead?" repeated Alice; Il never saw
him. but you have always praised him so
and poor Mrs. Baird, too, that he has
seemed near to me. O., when will this
dreadful work end?"
-This is heavy news for me-" said the
Major. 1T is like the loss of brother.
But it will be sadder for you than you
think"
20, Graham!"
She swiftly comprehended his mean
ing; the arms of the young wife were
about his neck; she was sobbing on his
shoulder.
Must you go?"
Yes; there is no field officer with
them now; owe them duty that must
not shirk.
You are not able to travel.
"Ihe doctor told me this morning that
was in condition to be discharged from
here any time. / have been lingering fol-
your sake. knowing that was fit for ac-
tive duty"
What shall I do? You know every
thing is disturbed again about Knoxville;
perhaps / might not be able to reach there
at all. Where shall 1 go?"
Come with me to the 'front.'" Brandon
replied; 1or, at least, as near there as you
can get. There will be some place not
far from our lines where can leave you
in safety. I don't want to leave you yet.
if you'll believe it."
He certainly merited the embrace that
he received.
All this occurred some days after the
22d of May On the night of that day
Confederate on guard behind the works
discovered body lying up the steep in
clined face of the part where he watched,
so near to the top that one hand had
been thrown up and rested there.
THAT Yank got pretty far before he
was stopped"
CHAPTER XIV.
DIVIDED.
For many days following the existence