The National tribune., 1891-04-02
RESTING IN THE "nEvIL's nrS.v

Our column emerged from tho cover Of the
timber at the foot of the hill, and pressed on
over the open ground about the run. across
which we rushed through n storm Of leaden
hail. During this time scarcely a shot had been
fred from cur brigade. 4 little 10 our left
could see through the smoke two or three Of the
cnemy's battlehags being waved menaengly
at the highest point Of the knoll. Once
across the low ground Of Plum Run, our rifles
began 10 speak. At the same time we were
| pushing rapidly forward. The conflict now
became nearly hand-to hand. But soon there
was little wavcring Of the rebel liue, and
they fell back slowly and stubhornly from their
! position. We advanced and occupied the knoll,
which was here crowned by a stone wall. a
halt WAS made at this point in order 10 adjust
| the general line OF battle, which had become a
little irregular.
On our right CaldEell's Division, Of the
/ Second Corps supported by Switzer's Brigade,
! lad advanced somewhat ct an angle TO our line,
/ their right being rs far as could see almost
/ in our left front. and as we halted at the wall
! they were falling back 10 our right, either by
orders or by the force Of the enemy. At all
events this movement left r gap on our right
4 In few moments we were up and over the
! stone wall and engaged with tho rebels, who
were advancing again with a heavy line Of
several columns The lighting now became
] terrible. On our left, near the Devils Den,"
! the slaughter was fearful, rs we aftcrWard dis
\ covered. The llth and 18th Inf being on the
/ left Of the brigade. received a whitening fire
| from their front aud lett flank. thus causing
/ The extreme LEFT Of cur line 10 be slightly TO-
1 fused. In this second advance Tho "a Inf, on
4 the extreme right of the line, advanced beyond
/ The general line causing the companies on the
! right 10 be still farther thrown around, and
emerging from the wooded knoll were advanc-
/ ing into the WhCatdeld beyond, thus throwing
] fHf iul. n ha hrfsrrt4o iFtHa ka
I Al ihls iuncluro the enemy were reinforced by
a portion Of L9ngstrcei's Corps, who, having
/ pressed back Caldwell. rushed into tho gap az
our right, completely nauking us and striking
/ the second line, or First brigade OF Regulars,
on their flank and rear. The fighting &C this
time became fearful. Go. IL Of the 2d InE-s
fresh company who had Joined the regiment
early IN The season from post on the Western
/ irontier-recGived here terrible baptism OF
fire. They were in the WhoatGeld at the ex-
ireme right, and were almost annihilated. But
the whole regiment suffered about alike.
THE DEVILS DEN,
at the left was again the scene Of terrible
contest. some OF Hoods forces having made
flank movement in that direction. Thus We
found ourselves almost entirely surrounded,
with only one narrow avenue Of escape AT
this juncture orders were given 90 retire aud
rcoccupy The first line. But the determination
I ~ 49, AhdA IA blt b9o bl EhNbe WIS 10 lUiA
their ground on the knoll and no attention
was paid 10 the orders until repeated the third
/ time. Then came the command from our di-
vision commander. Gen. Ayers, 10 - Face about
and wheel TO the right at dOuble-qaek and form
on the main line Of battle"
This order was obeyed as expcditiously as
possible, but not before the enemy had been
checked In their terrible onslaught, although
they greatly outnumbered US.
In EUI FpVgFgC UlGppFuFnf n fltp Pg4F n Fuu.
ming fire was kept up with the rebels who
seemed TO be all about us. Men were falling
rapidly everywhere, and il seemed for a few
moments as If tho whole band OF Regulars
would be wiped out Of existence. But out of
the temporary confusion of the moment came
order, and steady move to the right aud rear,
stubb0rnly disputing every inch Of ground as
we gradually wheeled toward Plum Run. Ar
irving at the low ground about the run. we
were low enough SO that our artillery could
open on the advancing rebels with grape, which
they did in fBc style doing terrible execution.
Battery j, 9th Y. :. Art, on the side OF Little
Round Top at this point crowned themselves
with many laurels firing with incredible rapid
lty. Their brave commander, Lieut. Hazlett,
was killed ia this action, and braver man
never stood by gun. His native town, Zaues-
Nilie, o., has GAR. Post named for him,
and they have on the walls Of their Post room
q iine portrait Of this intrepid officer. by
ihis Hank rCtT0gradc movement. assisted by the
artillery, B0ucstreefs troous were held in check
until the Third Division, Fifth Corps, came 10
our support iu connection with our Third
Brigade Of volunteers. Il which have spoken.
These fresh troops came down from Little
Hound Top on the deublC-quick with an en-
cDuraging cheer, the famous PENNSYLVANIA
Buckiail" regiment coming TO the support
OF the I'd Inf
From this time until the next day knew
but little Of what happened in our brigade.
When tie Pennsylvauaus CHARGED across the
ran. our regiment was somewhat scattered,
and as before the retrograde movement the
right 81 the liBo was somewhat advanced from
the rest Of the brigade, aud few OF Us got
/ separated from the rest. ! found myself con-
frontod by few Of tho Johnnies and At close
range, two or three moro Of ny own regiment
being with me.
ONE or The FOREMOST OF THE REBELS
ieyelcd his gun ~ me and fired, but fortunately
his aim was poor. The squad Immediately
made q rush and called upon as 20 surrender.
Suffice 10 10 say. they obtained our rifles and
we were ordered TO double-qucis 10 the rear.
viii say here that the rebel line was badly
broken IN fact, 50 far rs ] could see il was a
crowd, without any tangible line aud II was
evident that well-dirccted attack by an or
ganizca line Of battle could easily drive them
/ from the field. History tells us that this was
] done bg lhe troops Just coming on the scene OF
action, but the Regulars had broken the force
I Of the attack Of the enemy, thus preparing the
y way 20 On easy victory, but with what sacrifice
Z this was accomplished the official reports OF
4 Sykes Regulars - viii show.
Tore5umc the thread Of my narrative Under
] The circumstances il seemed the only thing TO
do was 10 surrender, but we did IL with great
reluctance. We started Tor their rear, but did
! not hurry, and al the time mimic balls were
/ flying dissgreeably near from our own men.
and also from tic FIRE Of tie rebels in another
4 part Of the line. At this time there came a
tremendous charge of grape from IIazlctts
battery, on Little Round Ton which laid low
some Of our captors. An involuntary ducEiug
of any head caused me 10 stumble and plunge
headlDng into the soft ground between tie
! knoll and Plum Run. ] failed 10 arise aud
/ expected 20 mmediately hear the order Of my
captOrs 90 git" else feel the prod Of a bay
Ouet. But neither occurred. 50 / remained per.
This is II