The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-04-23
9. We were awakened early


next morning
BY PICKET FIRING
in our immediate front We did not prepare
breakfast. Our position was about 100 yards
west Of the blOckhouse near the B. & o. II. r.
bridge Gen. Lew Wallace, who bad arrived on
the Sth and taken command in person, with
headquarters at the blockhous made DISPOSE
tions as follows Tor battle: The right, COM
manded by Gen. Tyler held the railroad and the
stone bridge on the Baltimore pike; with Gen.
Ricketts, OF the Sixth Corps the left, command
ing the bridge over the Monocacy on the Wash
ingtOn pike. Zach wing had three guns. Col
Brown, with seven companies Of the l4Jth Ohio
WAS ordered TO hold the stone bridge on the
Baltimore pike al all hazards, which be did
manlully. Col Cicndcunin, with the cavalry,
was TO guard the lower forls Of the river and
watch the left flank. Such was the disposition
Of tie forces az the beginning Of battle.
sLirmish-linc was thrown across tho river
and advanced up through a corulcld. When
about half way through tic field the ssirmisA-
line Of the enemy disputed its progress. 4
heavier line Of the enemy approached from the
west aud drove our line back toward the river
IN some confusion. Our line rallied and took
possession OF the corHGeld.
The battle ragged at this point up until nearly
ii O'Clock. Our line being heavily pressed,
fell back aud took a strong position east Of the
stream. The COnicdcratcs made determined
effort TO cross at the wagon bridge on the
Washington pike about 800 yards below the
railroad bridge. The Sighting az this point WAS
very heavy, the stream, about 80 yards wide,
dividing the
TWO BATTLE LINES.
The water below the bridge was Of a crimson
color from tho blood Of the dead aud wounded
Of both armies who fell AZ this point
large body Of the encmy's sharpshooters
fDuE rgtnrp n aud gTgurT1 rgp ~ "a, gT..fst
100 yards northeast o. the ccrnGeld. Capt
AicXanders battery opened on this barn, and IN
about i've minutes the entire structure was in
hamCs and ia about one hour the entire prem
iscs, including wheat hays,acEs and adjoin-
ing buildings, was entirely consumed. The
C0uiedcrates were now compelled 10 take the
open field, and Alexander boys made ID about
a. bot fOr them az they would have found il
had they remained in the burning buildings.
in the meantime the enemy had made three
unsuccessful attempts on the extreme right 70
carry the stone bridge on the Baltimore pike
] Col. Brown, Of the ls5.h Ohio, made a bril- iaut
defense az chat point rcpclliug every attack.
/ The Confederate artillery, Is pieces. kept up
a continual ire GA the front near the bridge
/ from across the stream. The range was about a
/ hall mile, which was not very destructive. This
/ was kept up to cover the final assault that was
now about 10 be made
The enemy, with about 1000 muskets aud
/ three batteries, marched down the river beyond
the fire Of our guns aud affected "A crossing, aud
attacked Ricketts, Of tie Sixth Corps, on the
] lcit Hank. Two more pieces Of Alcxauders
/ guns were now sent 10 the assistance Of Rick
/ cts and the first column Of the rebels WIS
thrown back into Tic woods ia confusion, but
SOON RALLIED
] The second line, which was much heavier than
the lrst made a desperate onslaught Oh l.iclz-
utts's thin lines. which consisted Of three logi-
mcHts Of about 600 men each. This charge was
4 very destructive 10 Nllaccs Spartan army as
over 400 were killed. Tie entire rebel line was
I thrown back into the woods tho second time
/ with still more confusion than a. first
During these severe charges q rebel battery
! west Of the MOn0cacy was destructivcly throw
] iug shell into laClscti1.s right flank. The
! third time the rebels came forward in heavy
/ cogmn. This was more than Wallaces line
could stand. j was completely eugHiled, aud
iull back towards the Baltimore pike losing
1 fully 90 per cent OF TIE line. Gen. Ricketts,
I Was severely wounded.
! AlCXaudeIs battery lost four guns on this
retreat This same battery lost four guns at
/ Winchester with MlToy one wear before. u
/ was an excellent battery, but fate seemed % be
4 against it. Gen. Lew NaIace's entire loss In
/ this battle was something over ] a1)-ouc-tHIrd
Of his entire army. The C0uicdciatcs admitted
! "a Joss of over 600 killed aud wounded. Per.
/ haps this battle was of no great importance AS
a battle, yet u was Oh vast Importance 10 the
/ Union cause.
Gen. Early was marching rapidly on Wash
ington, which al this time Was
NOT PREPARED
70 make a successful defense. No one saw the
pcriluus situation quicker than the keen and
Tar reaching eye OF Gen. Lew Wallace. lie
/ saw that something should be thrown quickly
across the path Of this lend of pilape and the
torch. without counting the cost, be offered
UP his brave army as q sacrifice. that The
/ Capital 81 the Nation might be saved Both
Con. Grant and Secretary Stanton quickly
recognized the patriotic services rendered Nv
Gen. Lew Wallace aud bis army in this in
stance and Congress rendered a vote Of thanks
to Con. Nallaces army for saving the Capital
Of the Nation.
Col. Cleudeuuiu with tho cavalry, occupied A
position IN the rear Of the left wing aud when
The final assault Of the enemy was made that
swept everything before 10, be was cut OF from
the main army and pushed back to the village
OF Urbaua, where quite cavalry fight took
place. Col. ClcnGeuBin here made a gallant
stand rcpoliuR The Confederate pursuit and
capturing the c0lors OF the 18th Va. Cav.
The entire forces OF Gen. Lew Wallace IN this
baitlc were not over 5,5J0, all arms, while The
entire strength Of Gen. Early army was about