The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-10-01
CHAMPIONS GAP.
Where tho Boys Did Not Know bat they were
Firing Cordwnol at Them.

tiflug AuF0NuOi AT lhcm.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I saw a par
tial account Of the battle of Champions Gap
some time ago in your paper but i was not
complete, as D. gave only a part OF the troops
engaged. Sunday afternoon, Sept. il, l052,
found the Sixth Corps moving along tie road
near the base Of South Mountain toward Cramp-
toms Gap. All morning we could see Reno and
burnside driving the rebs along the top Of
South Mountain. About 3 p. M, We left the road,
formed line of battle, and moved across the
fields toward the mountain. Baulct's Brigade
was iu advance, NCWl0u's next: the Jersey
Brigade followed as, and / think the Vermont
Brigade after them. AS we Hcarcd The mount
ain we looked hack several times and behCid a
sight we viii never forget. We were an NOV
ing iu line OF battle. brigade front, about 800
yards between each l.ue. The fields were clear
OF woods aud uudcrgroHth, go we had "A fair
view. The sun sHoue bright, aud the arms and
equipments OF Tie two lines n battle following
as CLEANED Ike silver and gold, thcir flags
and guidUus fulcred gaily lu the breeze, aud
tine boys marched as IL on review.
On the right G.Gk Bartlett had found the
JohHni,s. and Tire sharp rattle Of muskeiry
told OF desperate work. Away toward the left,
M a clear space on top al lie mountain, the
reis had battery that nadc things uncOHI-
f0gabla for us az tiMcs, aua He could not ole-
waite any or our guns sufficiently 10 reach D..
OF toward liarHer, ECIy wo could see tie
shells ayIug between OuT forces aud Jackson,
hut we thought we could prevent its capture.
The 3ls' and 32i y. T., Of NCElou's Brigade,
were sent 10 help Bartlett; the 18Th y. i. and
gjlh Pa were moved mp 10 close rife range Of
heavy stone wall, behind which the Johuuies
were waiting for MS We lay down in clover
field while The rest q TIE troops got into posi-
ton. The Johuuies made il hot lJr as during
that time can rs #Erc you. While clover is all
right as a COW feed, when il comes 10 stopping
bullets ID don't compare with n stone wall, or a
hole IN the ground that you can crawl into aud
pull 300 after you.
The Jersey Brigade formed on our left and
got possession a. a stone Wall about 30 yards IN
front OF The r,hs, and s1me Of the Jersey boys
jumped tau wall and dared thea 10 come out
and lpht To- reilly they cred on Tho Jersey
boys killing or WUaHdiuE most Of tTrm VINO
were exposed. a. soon as lAc Vermont Brigade
got into position the order came: Forward ."
aud we made break lUr that stone wall D. pay
;hc rebels back for the trbultiou they had
caused as. They scrambled up The mountain
and we after them as fast rs wo could 80. We
met quite iet Of prisoners coming down the
mountain who had been captured by Bauietts
Brigade.
On Top ~ the mountain some Of the party
we were after made a stand and fired yuilrv
into ms, woHuaiug several We returned ID,
when they JIG out iH al! directions breaking
their guns on the rocks and throwing them
away. We took few augT-shots al them rs
they ran which made Aem 20 faster iI aach
thing were possible. As wc went through a
pcrc Of woods having a l0t of cDIGW0'd pI.cd
mp two guns opened GA Us, aud Tor a iew MINI
utus. tho way thc sticks few $50 did not know
whether The rebs were firing cord wood VI grape
and canister.
We fired several vollcys 40 tie battery, then
charged Trey pot away with one glu bat left
The other; ID was named johnnie, ard belonged
10 the Georgia Troop Artillery. We followed
some distance after iaen, but were ordered 10
fall barl, 20 the battlefield, here VIC found 800
kuap-acls belonging 10 Bob Iomlss Georgia
Brigade. We divided up and found some good
grub slowed away u them We did no. get 10
see the Hon Bob. as b. was Of q y.ry retiring
disposition Lat day. We stayed there until
The Morniugoi The 18th, when we were hustled
OF 20 Antlgtam. IL has often occurred 20 me
since, could we not have saved Harpefs Ferry
that Sunday night. or bad we been sent 10 AM
tictam sooner, would tie result not have been
diiicreut2 Who kHOWsI-J. SHAW, Co. II, 95th
Pa Headline Pa