The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-01-15
FIGHTING THEM OVER
Whai Our Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns
IN THE WILDERNESS.
The Colonc! o. the Cd nd Takes a HnHd In the
Controversy.

81
Controversy.
FDIToR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I have read
with murh interest the recent articles Oh the
subject al the charge 1T the crossroads IN the
Wildcrurss May g. '6f aud desire TO say, ms
command r of the 81 Md, that we belonged
10 The Second brigade, First Division. Ninth
Corps aud were sent 10 Gen. Hauc0ci's on the
Brock emo flank roads on the morning OF the
9th Cf Nag.
The 81 Nd originally belonged to the
Twelfth CORPS, but having re-enlistei IN the
West .he Veterans were sent homo TO enjoy
furloua d. and before It's expiration Gen. Sber-
man began TO move, and we were sent 10 Tho
Ninth CurHa and made the campaign under
Gen Graul while those that did not re enlist
went with GeH. sherman and were detailed as
headgu1rtar guards for Gen. Hooker,
our brigade consisted Of the 2Ist Mass, Tooth
Pa. aud 81 Nd. We marched along the
Brock roa5 the sd Nd. had the head OF tho
column. and when we came to the Plank road,
wearing 'ug rcd star OF The Twelfth Corps, Gen.
Hancock HHde some remarks about IT, and i
explained 70 him the fact BAT the Ninth Corps
not having corps badge We still wore that Of
the TNrl Ma Corps.
The lsipade was sent down the Brock road
90 report DO Gen. Gibhon, where we remained
until about noon, when we were ordered 10
clear the front OF the Second Corps OF the
enemy IS ich We did under command Of Col
LeRsurc OF the Tooth Pa ID WAS one OF the
most q isaHrepahe movements that j ever per-
formed. lor in addition TO be presence OF a VIC
torious foe we had 10 march through fire and
smoke for almost the entire distance until we
reached lle Plank road. We developed the
enemy aud found that he was preparing 10
make am assault upon the works held by the
Second Corps along the Brock road, and SO ro-
ported to Ggu. Hancock wh0 made prepare
lions 60 me d by bringing up battery Of ar
tillery aHa placing ii In position IN rear OF hls
line on BE, Brock road
After we reached the Plank road IN our
clearing movement, we halted some time, and
were finally withdrawn aud moved down the
PLANK Toad TO the rear Of the main line, rested
and refreshed ourselves with coffee while the
engineer were constructing two short lines OF
log works 90 be occupied by our brigade. Be-
fore they were completed the enemy advanced
aud NC were ordered 10 occupy them-the 2lst
Mass. the second line, and the 81 Nd. and
100th Pa the third line, the right Of the
IG0th pa. resting on the Plank road while
the 81 N WIS on its left aud in close proximity
50 the b. tary placed IN position by Gen. Han
cock while two pieces Of artillery were sta
TONED ou the Plank road, which were abandoned
when the enemy captured the first line OF
works
The breastworks on the Brock road to our
left took lire, which caused the troops holding
them 10 retire and enabled the battery to open
fire upon the eHemy who could not cross the
burning works At the same time the enemy
seized the works in our front and forced our
men 10 retreat in great disorder j Their com
mandod the Sd Nd. 10 fix bayOuets and not
allow any Uf them to pass 10 the rear through
our ranks At the same time we tried 20 rally
them upon our line but il did not avail as they
kept GA past Us until out Of sight in the rear.
Col. Leisure then commanded the Tooth
pa. 30 advance 10 the support OF the DIST
Mass, n Tie second line, and detained us a lew
minutes ln our position, when he also ordered
ns forward 60 the second line. When we
reached that position the Sd Nd. fired one
vollcy M the rebels IN the first line when Mai
Garter, seeing the coiors advance, ordered his
company ID charge which WAS followed by the
whole regiment. lie being among the first 10
reach OBJ works. ought 10 know what transpircd
on that occasion. The enemy retired in con-
fusion, although ono color bearer sought 30 rally
them and return 10 the charge. Calling the
attention Of my men % bis efforts Maj. Carter
and several OF the men started over the works
% capture the rebel flag but the color bearer
took ID las heels 20 prevent the loss Of has flag.
In crossing the works one Of the men received
o. dangerous wound from some unseen foe and
IA few moments Capt. Aitkeuhead was killed
while standing near the first line, and another
man was sDon shot through the head by this
mysterious marksman. Mai Carter discovered
this sharpshDoter up large tree, aud directed
the mel 10 bre al him. but be being 10 our LETT
was able 10 shield himself behind the body of
She tree bot the Major being an old squirrel
hunter took one OF tie mon down the breast
works and got a crosshTe, upon him, and he
soon cropped out Of the tree. There was 10
hiring az the enemy alter that time.
Aftcr everything subsidized the Major re-
qncatea lac privilege Of going back 10 get his
hat, which bad been lost IN the charge through
the brush, and ln doing so he met Gen. Han
c0ck rid .ug mp 10 the Brock road from the rear,
and j saw BAN stop and engage Ia conversation
with The Major and then heard Cen Hancock
eXcain in a loud tone Men, you have saved
the day" aud taking Of his hat began 10 cheer
a. be rode along the Brock road IN rear Of our
brigade.
The Major returned in few minutes and
suggested that he be allowed 10 90 down the
Brock road 10 our left 90 see whether auy
rebels still remained. While he was gone the
tro0Is 81 tbs Second Corps were seen advancing
10 Zinc %. iniille from the rear, which we after
wards lrlulld belonged 10 CAROLS Brigade.
but there was no attempt 20 charge on their
part, for they soon discovered that we were
friends and then they relieved us aud we re-
tired again % The second line Of works.
The ueztday ] received personal letter sd-
dressed a. nae az commander Of the Sd Md from
Gen. Hancock, thanking me for having saved
his artillery The only reason that eau assign
Tor lis moi addressing ID 10 the whole brigade
was tlat He recognized " az members Of the
Army 81 The Potomac from our wearing the
Twelfth t0Fps badge, which had attracted his
attention when We Brst reported 10 b im on the
Plank road on the morning n the 9Th Of MAY
--J0-EPH n. sUDsBUEG, Colonel C0m'dg Sd
No DOB Madison Ave, baltimore, Nd.
Road Better than q Pension on page z.