The National tribune., 1891-06-18
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What0ur Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
PETERSBURG.
nt Part Taken In the Action or April By the
I26th Ohio

tere at Fort Welsh, about four miles southwest
Of Petersburg Va, and near the terminus OF
Grants military railroad. During this time
the regiment did heavy guard and picket duty
often diminishing with the enemy along the
picket-lne, and then again for time both
friend and foe would meet between the lines
and peaceably talk over the fortunes OF war,
exchange papers and atious, and almost forget
that they were deadly enemies.
ON the 25th day of March, 1865, while gal
liant Phil Sheridan aud Gen. Warren were NOV
ing toward Five Forks, the regiment was select
ed, with other troops to advance our picket
line We were ordered 10 fall in, and we
marched boldly out In front OF our works, every
man IN his place and all in full view OF the
enemy who was soon on the alert. Not man
hesitaied or fatered, but moved on In good
order rs though marching on dress parade yet
knowing that desperate work was at hand.
Soon the regiment WAS formed in battle line,
and under mnrderous fare OF muskctry and
artillery moved forward TO our picket-line,
preparatory 10 q charge on the enemys we'll
intrenched picketline. About O'clock in the
afternoon, when all was IN readiness, the order
20 charge was given. Col. Smith led forward
she regiment, quickly routing the enemy and
teizing their intrenched line, held the same,
with about POO prisoners, notwithstanding the
fact that they were placed under most severe
artillery fire from the enemy.
ThisadvanCCd line was held and strengthened
anti April 2 In this short but severe engage
ment the regiment lost comparatively few.
Israel Miller Of Co. ], poor fellow, was struck
on the head with a CannOn-hnll and instantly
Killed; about six were wounded, and among
them was q comrade from my own company,
John ID. Roderick. He fell, pierced by a mus
Eet-ball, was carried back from the field, soon
after sent 10 City Point and from there to Wash
ington, where be was placed In hospital but
his wound proved mortal as he soon after died,
- !. l.s..HN Ia Gid nd
made death seem easier She bad his remains
taken home 20 ThOrnville, o., Where he was
kuried IN the cemetery with all the hOnOrs Of
war. tall evergreen tree stands as a silent
sentinel stretching its friendly branches over
his grave though TO protect b from all in
truders Each Memorial Day Reuben Lamp
ton Post g. r., manned n hOROT OF his own
Captain, stand around his grave with I'M
covered heads while the shrll notes Of the
same fife in the hands Of the same musician Of
his old company, together with mutied drums
ring ont military salute 10 the hon0red dead,
while the Post decorate the grave handsomely
with both flags and choice flowers. May the
memory Of this hero ever be kept green.
The grand old Army Of the Potomac began
now steadily TO close in on the defenders Of the
" lost cause" Sheridan and Warren fought the
terrible battle of Five Forks April ], COM
pletely routing the enemy, taking many pris-
oneTs arms aud munitions of war.
About midnight April the Army Of the
Potomac and Army Of the James were ordered
into line preparatory TO the last desperate
charge which was TO take the many miles Of
strong works aud drive Lee out Of Petersburg.
All the artillery in both armies from right 10
left was now ordered 70 open on the enemy n
most terrific fire. The order was Obeyed 10 the
very letter, ar never IN the history Of time was
auch firing heard on this side Of the Atlantic.
Those miles and miles Of huge engines Of war
seemed fairly 10 leap into the air, the very
earth beneath Quakng and trembling at each
discharge Of those war monsters which sent
shot and shell into the enenlys camp so rapidly
that there was q constant fash rs Of lightning
Id intense darkness
The writer stood silently by the works dur
ing those terrible hours, which seemed years Of
tlme contemplating upon the awful destruction
81 life as each army WAS about TO grapple
with the other in desperate hand-tO-hand
conflict God only knowing what the result
would he.
out quarter Of q century has interviewed
between then and now, and yet when j recall
those teri bic hours OF battle, the thunder from
800 or 400 deep mouthed cannon is just rs loud
end the fash just az binding az ii was upon
that ever-mem0Hbie morning Of April 2 1865
Never, 70 my dying day, shall ] forget that
sublime, fearful, magnificent spectacle, which
no brush could paint or pen describe.
About O'Clock our regiment filed out silently
from Fort Welsh aud soon took its position IN
the front line Of battle, IN the Second Brigade
Third Division, Sixth Corps. For an hour
longer a terrific bOmbardment was kept up By
our artillery, when q general assault wal
ordered. just ~ this time Lieut.. Charles g
Crawford, OF Co. j, wgs struck by a muskel
bal aud severely wounded. J. with q few Othel
oOmradCs. was selected 70 carry him back Il
Division hospital, which was quite a distance
perhaps two miles When we returned we came
La sight Of Fort Welsh just 81 early sunrise
and ~ our establishment saw a large silkeI
rebel fag floating proudly over our works nea
the fort. At first sight Of this flag we halteC
Tor just moment, saying 10 each other, I" Is i
possible that our brave boys have been defeated
and the rebels in return have taken our works?
But We pressed forward and soon came nea
enough 10 see about 500 rebel prisoners IN tn
hands Of our boys, aud Sergeant from, ! think
abe Second Division Of our Corps holding thi
Gag which be had captured.
] ran up and mounted our works where on
regiment had been encampcd and looked acrOs
" the euemys line, when j fairly yelled wit
wild delight 80 the welcome spectacle befor
me. Far beyond the rebel breast works wer
the boys in blue visible; there were even
few Of our wagons with the old blue cross in
eide 81 the Tcbgi works. While j was cniovin
this pleasant sight the enemy fired heav,
piece 81 artillery from the direction Of Peters
burg, tie shell coming right toward me- an
exploding over my head, pieces Of whic
struck al around. Luckily was not STRUCK
but the conclusion gave me d very sore head Il
DAYS. lt took d little Of the enthusiasm out {
me for the time being.
After had left the regiment, bearing ava
Lieut.. Crawford the order for a charge Wa
given. For q single moment there was silens
among the boys, when Sergt Lawyer said
berp't hartman, OF my company LET ue Z
forward Immediately" Then the whole lin
arose and dashed forward ia the face OF q mu
oeTOns IRE OF muskctFy from the enemy 500
thc boys were struggling among the abati
and boz q number of cases had 20 call upOn III
pioneers with axes 10 cut down the obstacles A
this time being exposed 10 a severe fire at sho
mango Soon the boys were through the aba
A. mounting the rebel works, aud with bay
net and dubbed muskets drove the encm
bach. taking many prisoners.
rebel fort do not remember the name
eur left and near By threatened 10 do mn,
mischief when Col. Smith Immediately order,
charge. Some Of the regiment having
pass around swamp, somewhat broke Il
alignment but the boys came up in 90,
veteran style sitter all charged upon Il
fort, and took ID quickly. II ] remomb
eorrecty, some other regiment charged M,
this fort about the same time. A few Of q
rebels surrendered hut most OF them bro
and ran up Hatchcrs Run 10 another SIN,
bort which they still held Col Smith, castil
his eagle eye around, shouted Where IN q
- BE- the Heavy 9th ~ Y gH A compauy
this regiment was pointed out by someone. W
Col. Smith Immediately ordered them with
she fort where they hurricdly stacked arm
Few 20 the guns, and, like old veterans. we
Faaurfuu nhpf md Inla fvHg "A. a.