The National tribune., 1892-07-14

the engagement on the ridge, so graphically
described by Sers't Clark; conceding also that
the 18th Ohio was on the right, reaching to the
edge of the ravine-the I47th Pa. being on
their lett will. with your indulgence, copy
from my diary of that day, written on the spot
the following day:
Oar regiment-the Io9th Pa.-and the Goth
\. Y. had been held in reserye-during which
time whisky was Issued to the men-in antici-
patton of pitched battle, and as the firing be-
came brisk Col. Gotham, in command of the
brigade, ordered us mp the hill to the line of
works. There being no room for us IN the
works our men were a good target Tor the
enemy and many of them were wounded.
The rebels had discovered our weak point OF
defense-the ravne-and massed their forces
for an attack. Buudy's battery of 12pound
hcwitZers was planted in the breastworks,
covered by the 29th Ohio aud the l41th Pa.
who fought desperately, disputing every inch
of ground until compelled to retire by the force
of overwhelming numbers and at the point of
the bayonet. Just at this critical moment the
l09th Pa was ordered to the right, near the
rayine when the line broke and retired to the
left, forcing our regiment along with them
As they passed me / requested the color bearer
of the 29th Ohio to stop and help to rally them
again, but he refused, and started to run with
them. Turning nv head to see how close they
were, 1 saw the only man between ME and the
advancing rebels Serg't Gourd, of Co. L, fall,
killed
Gourd was stanch friend of mine, and his
death seemed TO nerve me to do what had
first intended, make a stand. Seeing the
colors stop. two men of the Tooth Pa. returned
to defend the flag. and one of them exclaimed
" That's right, Ferg.; stand where you are;
we'll stand with you" Two of the artillery
men also returned and it is these four men
wish to find What was to be done? To stand
there many moments was certain death, and to
oppose them with our muskets-two all told
was madness The thought occurred to me to
make use OF the howitZers, and, giving the
word. we quickly drew one of them ont of the
breastworks. pointed if at the advancing rebels,
the artillerymen working like Trojans until 1t
was loaded, and at the words " Let her &c"
the grapeshot sped on its mission of death and
destruction and eXultant yclls mingled
with the groans OF the wounded and dying.
While this gun was being reloaded we drew out
the second gun. and, while the rebels were
checked and demoralized. succeeded in using
both guns with such good effect that We were
enabled to hold orr ground until reinforce
mentS arrived. Thick and fast the bullets
few amongst Us. and the flag itself was riddled,
and attribute it to d Divine Providence that
we escaped so well. BY this time Others had
returned scatteringly, but the Goth n Y wss
the first to return in body, and they took up
position in support of the two guns.
After them came the 109th Pa. filing along
the bresstworks with Lieut. - of the bat
terry at their head, crying, and repeating: IF
the 109th had been here | wouldn't have lost
those guns" He was rnder the impression
they had been captured.
Among the first to return was Bundy him
self who Immediately took charge of the guns
mot Maj. Reynolds, as Zeitler claims). Pick
ing up a stocking, the gallant Bundy filled it
with stones and bullets, and had it inserted in
one of the guns after it had its complement of
grape and canister. and his eyes fairly sparkled
as the gun was discharged. About this time
the Sergeant OF the battery returned with has
arm in sling, and was Instantly killed. Col
Craig, of the li7th Pa. looking for his regi-
ment, asked what regiment ] belonged to.
The l09th," replied. Where is your regi-
ment?" Z" ! don't know. sir" What are you
doing here?'' al was ordered here. SIR
Why don't You go TO your regiment" Il
will when ordered to do SO by the proper
officer"
He then left me and Joined Capt. Bundy.
Then came Capt. M, OF the 109th Pa, with
his drawn sword wildly swinging about him.
and demanded to know Where is the regi
ment2" and what j was doing there. Telling |
him to GO ard find the regiment, and bring it
back to me-" turned from him in disgust.
Soon afterwards the regiment came back. as
have said, and took up the position vacated
by the 29tll Ohio. Orders were now given to
replace the two guns in the breastworks aud /
Maj. CresSon, with others, rushed forward to |
help replace them, shouting as he did SO:
Here's where you get your bounty! Come
and get your bounty" Now commenced that
furious cannonading described by Sergt.-M Maj. |
Zeitler, and which resulted in the complete |
ront Of the enemy. While this was going on,
q line of works was hastily thrown up parallel
with the rayine, SO as 10 guard against any |
further attack from that quarter and thus was |
formed the Bloody Angle" of the Southwest |
which was maintained by the Tooth Pa. until |
the close of the following day, when the |
enemy fell back on Atlanta.
Zeitler asserts that the consensus of Opin- |
ion is that If troops while fighting an enemy |
In their front are suddenly assaulted on either |
flank. they almost always justified in going |
to the rear. But here, at Peach Tree Greek, |
the highest encominms are justly deserved by |
the defenders of the Angle, who did not leave |
Instead, they were as firm as q stone wall"
Nevertheless, the facts as j have stated
above-and my statement is borne out by
Serg't Clark, who. in writing of the flank
movement by the rebels up the ravine. says:
This state OF affairs caused our men to renew
their efforts, with resolve TO sell their lives
as dearly as possible; they fought for their
lines over their guns, using the musket and the
saber in a band-to-hand encounter; and this
was our last effort to beat the enemy back"
He SAYS further: " In this encounter the
writer was wounded; the battery was captured
by the enemy; we were also captured and
marched toward the rebel rear; but before we
had time to cross over the rayine, Geary's main
line charged the rebel line and recaptnred the
battery, which was instantly turned npon the
enemy, and discharges of grape from those
guns wounded some OF those who were escort
ing the Union prisoners to the rebel rear"
In this statement Clark was misiuf formed ;
for the battery was not captured by the
enemy" nor did "Geary's main line charge
the rebel line, and recapture the battery;
the credit of that belongs TO the four brave
men who remained 10 defend the colors of the
10th Pa.-FERGUs ELLIOTT, First Sergeant,
Co. g. 109th Pa, Germantown, Pa.