The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-11-26

my regiment, the 7th Mass, and the Seth n. Y.
were already reformed on the east side OF the
hill. This can be proved by a number Of COM
rades whose veracity cannot be questioned.
Alex Thompson Of the 6lst Pa also made a
claim for his regiment, which was not in %, for
history hears me ont in my claim that we
were the FIRST, and know. from my being there
and the evidence Of my own eVcsight, that the
Glst Pa were not the FIRST nor yet the second
or the third, brit the fourth. We wero first.
The rs y. Y, came MP M column Of fours IN
our rear, reformed on the left Of our regiment
before the 9th Ne. had assembled the nights.
The 9th Me. had got mp there before the column
on the right made their appearance.
Should YOU visit Fredericksburg and ascend
the bill Just 10 the left Of the Msrye House. and
look 10 the left. it will be apparent to you how
easy 10 would be 20 sec a regiment struggling
up 20 regain the bigEts.
Then, from the same position, look 10 the
right and You would be able to see how inn
possible il would bc for man ascending tho
hin 20 the right 10 have seen the 9th Me on
the left, with houses Intervening the
lay ofthe land was not favorable, and then you
will understand why j said that ComrRde
Thompson must have been up in balloon.
Now as 20 your humble servant being there,
the Captain OF my company can answer that
question, also a number Of my comrades la the
ranks aud one OF the comrades Of Co. A twere
he living could tell you how, early In the
morning. before the charge. ! went quite dis
lance mp the street where We afterwards
charged. past our guns aud past some Of the
houses on the riglt-hRnd side OF the street,
which, when we charged we found 70 our cost
were filled with rebel sharpshO0ters. This
comrade was watching me, aud when j returned
he began 20 chide me, and asked me why |
went up there. ! told him that wished 20 see
as near NJ | could the situation Of the rebel
line. lie then said:
a Jimmie. let those men who wear shoulder
straps and get big pay attend to that b.si-
ness"
Can You blame me that after the charge when
heard that this c0mrAde who had cbidod me
for my rashucss WAS killed, went 10 one
side and shed some tears 10 his memory HIS
name was James O'Neil. member Of Go. A,
vino formerly worked beside me in a mill. Let
Us hope that he is enjoying the fruits OF a we'll
/ spent life in that better land where SORROWS
aud troubles are not known.
Some OF my comrades can also tell Won bow
when at Salem flights I bad fired of all my
4 cartridges, I picked some OF the ground, the
Z first one Of which stuck fast ia the center Of
the barrel Of my gun. j told my eUmrAdes
| They said:
Throw It away Jimmie"
j told them no: that ] would FIRE Il of.
\ did SO. They backed away from me, as they
I thought II liable 20 hurt some Of them; | then
I fired, and after that IL would have been drst
clHss for firing around corners, as the barrel
was bent at a rght-angle from the center o
the barrel; aud this was done while comrades
were falling around us. i then picked NJ
another rifle. and we kept up the firing until L
became dark and we could not see the enemy
Here, in FAN River. the Post OF which am
member were presented with books Of record
4 Ia which the record Of each mans service Is q
4 be entered. i do not say IL bOagffullv but
can toll you that ! am not afraid or ashamed Z,
have my army record inserted therein.
could keep giving y0u instances Of my recort
/ IL 1 was 50 inclined, but I think that yon will
be tired and may cry hold. enough HopiHI
that no comrade viii try 70 defame another
rerord-JAMEs HoLEHoUsE, Co. q. 7th Mass.
Is East GriuHell ST., Fall River Mass.