The National tribune., 1891-08-13
FORT BLAKELY.
COmrade Claims That His Regiment was Aheat
OF the 18th Wis.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: ] noticed a
communication in your issue Of May :, signed
by w. A. v, nth Wis, who claims great credit
for his regiment at the storming Of Fort
B,akely, Ala, and he even goes 50 far as TO
claim the honor for his regiment Of being the
first 20 scale the works, aud that there was no
regiment nearer than 10 rods of the works at
the time. Poor fellow; he has got il bad. Now,
let Us look az this matter little closer and see
who was tho first 10 scale those works. for there
were lots Of rs there.
On the 9th Of April, 1865, about tho center Of
tho Union line, there were the remnants Of a
regiment that had seen service since April,
1861. They were placed on the skirmish-line
about o'clock on the evening Of April {, 10
remain q hours, but between aud o'clock,
April 9, Gen. Dennis sent an order TO the
Colonel Of said regiment that there would DO
an assault ordered that evening. and as said
regiment had been on duty about 20 hours that
they could withdraw, and he would send fresh
regiment TO make the assault. But the Colonel
commanding returned tho order with his COM
plilnenis. aud sent word 10 Gen. Dennis that
his regiment was placed out there for q hours,
and 81 there was any fighting 10 do his regi-
ment would attend 10 il, at least until his "a
hours had expired.
About o'clock We received orders to deploy
as skiumishers aud drive in the rebel pickets.
a,
while the brigade was drawn up in line some
distance in our rear, with orders at the proper
time 10 make the assault. But, as you will see,
the proper time never came; for when we ad-
yauccd TO the rebel skTmish pits we had no
shelter, and were within 200 yards OF the rebel
works, manned with "a pieces Of artillery and
three or four rehel regiments who were play
ing us a lively tune.
Our Colonel saw it was better for us TO 20 in
than 10 stay there under that heavy Ere 50 he
stepped to the front and gave the command
Come on, boys; we will 20 in" No sooner
said than done, aud away We went over the
rebel works. We did not lose 40 per cent.
either, as w. A. V. claims his regiment did.
Just about the time that ComFade w. A. V.
claims that his regiment started for the work 5
our boys were inside Of the rebel fort, which.
judge, was about tho time that the 18th Wis.
WAS gaining the works on the left Of the line
aud our bummerG were boarding rebel gun
boat that lay at anchor in the middle Of the
Mobile River. We had gone clear through tho
whole business by the time the 18th Wis. had
gained a fO0thOld.
This is about the way the thing was done
Our regiment was in the lead, with the 10th
Kan. on our left good second, while the 18th
Wis. was a poor third.
What j have written / will leave 10 Gems.
Granger and Dennis, who, think, were inside
Of the works before the 18th Wis. were, as they
were not far behind us; also, the llth H.,
who were trying 10 come 10 our assistance, but
did not get there in time.
Now, Comrade w. a. ", don't claim more
than belongs 10 you. for IL won't do you any
good. There are several Of the old boys still
living who know Just how IL was done; and /!
needs be, can give a more detailed account
which will show the whole charge up as il
should bc.-Sere't T. J. A. Eagle Point Ore