The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-11-15
ADJUSTMENTS.
Why tho Confederates Did Not Storm the
Union Works at Petersburg.

Why tho Confederates Did Not Storm the
Union Works at Petersburg.
Atlanta Constitution.
The private soldiers had 90 few privileges
during the war that it does me good TO
mention for the first time in print an incl
dent of the siege of Petersburg. There are
plenty yes living Of the old soldiers who
can tell you that the question. or
''storming" or mot storming" the Yankee
works at Petersburg by night was left to
vote ofthe privates.
forget dates, it has been so long. but 1t
was just short while before the confeder-
ates left their trenches and started on the
nine days retreat which ended at Apo
mattox.
1t had been well known for some time
that Lee could not hold ont against Grant
much longer unless, by taking some des..
perate chance advantage might be gained
to the confederates A. council OF
officers was held. and WHILE. OF
course, / do not know what hap
pended in that meeting, do know that
IL became understood among the privatcs
of the army there had been disagree
ment among the officers, and. falling to
aaree; they compromised by leaving 'ne
night to the decision OF the privates-a
thing SO unusual that it cast shadow over
their hopes.
On the day before the vote was to be
taken at night the bushes. rubbish and
brush were ordered cleared or leveled In the
ravine between the two armies. 1t was
perilous undertaking, but the confederates
gathered their axes. and without fiinchlng
marched to their work. Strange to say.
the Yankees quietly watched this pro-
ceeding without firing q gun. 1t being q
work they wished performed or else
they anticipated that the c0nfederates
were fixing to storm their works-a things
they much desired. Any how. the confed.
crates got through with their work and
went back to their camps without any
trouble, but fully confident that lr was
preparation to charge, all ignorant OF what
turn matters were To take.
When night approached and the officers
quietly bid the men to fall In. you may
wonder at the surprise of all priv9tes. when
they were told that all commissioned Offs
that privates should decide by ballot among
themselves as to whether the Yankee
works should be attempted by storm upon
that very night.
little incident happened just as the
commissioned officers retired, and some of
us can say to what extent it bore upon the
action of the privates. The mail had ar
rived-sletters from home to the brave SOL
dier boys. an unexpected thing at that
time. for 1T was SO rare to get the mails
then. The arrival of these letters from
home stopped all other thought and the
men gathered in groups around
their orderly. sergeants anxiously lis
tening to the names upon the en-
ceived his letter he fastened from the
group TO some little fire light, and down
upon his knees he broke the seal and read
the contents. Soon there were many kneel-
ing men round the fires through the camps.
and as now and then one would reach mp
and punch mp the chunks you could see the
tears glstening in his eyes.
This busy world may laugh at this-ye
men who read as you run-but 1t was no
laughing matter there that night. There
were letters from home; news from the dear
wives and little children. from the old
fathers and mothers and from the sweet
hearts who were never to be seen again.
Dear hearts, and dear thoughts of the old
home and of the childhood playground;
but never mind. no one can feel how this
was but the old soldiers themselves, and
they have most all passed away or are get
ting too old to read.
But q vote must be taken, a ballot of
| no" if the fight was not TO be made or q
| ballot of yes" If 1t was. Each soldier
| knew that time was precious. and 1t was a
| picture to watch the soldiers fold their
| letters, and placing them deep down into
| the inside pocket of their gray jackets, and
| the ones W no bad received mono sadly wait
| ing as they thought of their own dear ones
| far away at home.
balloting began. and as they were gathered
| all in hat the time had come for the
counting. Then came short moments of
| expectancy. The first ballot was:
"Yes"
And the blood thrilled through every sol.
der heart The counting went on. and
"Yes."
"Yer."
eyes"
For three times the fatal "yesn came.
| with not single mo" But mo" came at
LAST. and then o long column af noes. -
| with only here and there yes" was the
result The fight was off. The YANKEES
| breastworks would not be stormed that
ynff hAu hnS -
| these same brave hearts ceased to beat be.
| fore the end of Appomattox