The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-10-20
MARYE'S Nights AGAIN.
Another Comrade Thinks the Honor of TAX
ing Them Belongs to the 7th Mass.

Another Comrade Thinks the Honor of TAX
ing Them Belongs to the It'll Mass.
r NOTICE in the issue of Feb. II an article
from II. f. Mathews relative to the
storming of MaIye's flights, and in that
article it is shown pretty plainly to me
he could not have been there at the time, for
if he had las / have been told he is using an
others manuscript he would not at this late
day be trying to rob others of their Just dues
which history accords to them.
Let me tell the comrade something for his
own benefit. / happened to be at Fredericks-
burg that Sunday morning. attached to the 7th
Mass, and my mind is clear upon one fact,
which is, that our regiment was ordered to
charge the Nights in front of the Stone House.
while lying near the Telegraph road leading
up to the flights, abaut II o'clock on the
morning of the Sd Of May, 1868. The order
was given to make tho assault, the boys strip
ping themselves of their knapsacks, blankets,
and all membranes, and advanced along the
Telegraph road leading up to the flights, and
the 7th Mass. Supported by tho 9th Mass led
the column, making successful assault on the
famous stone wall, where their loss was heavy;
then advancing up the Nights we occupied the
crest of Maryes Hill. When about two-thirds
the way up the hill we were met by heavy fire
of musketry grape, and canister, of which Co.
i. being the leading company, received the
most.
t0 johns, De1ng al INC nedQ Oh inc cOiumn,
was hit by rebel bullet which passed through
his hip, and he had to be carried to the rear
by Comrade Burrows, OF Co. B, and another
comrade, whose name / do not now remember.
This had the effect to somewhat check the adj
vance Of our line. Lieut. Col. Harlow assumed
command of the regiment, quickly rallied the
men. and led them up to a successful assault,
driving the enemy from their breastworks,
where again our loss was heavy.
Advancing nm the Hiphts WI oecupipd the
works and planted our colors on portion of
the works from which we had just driven the
rebels. Pushing on Immediately along the
Plank road, leading towards Salem Church.
the enemy were again met in strong force and
again successfully uttered in a severe con-
test which lasted until dark Of this day, with
heavy loss
With force Of little more than 500 men en-.
gagged the loss of the 7th Mass. on the bloody
field of tho Sd of May was as follows Two Off
GERS and q men killed and nine officers aud
105 wounded. Comrade Mathews, when you
are blowing some one else's horn, don't forget
that perhaps there are others who may have
horns to blow. i have nothing to say against
the 9th Me-, for / know they were always
ready to do their duty, as was also the Tth
Mass and hundreds of other regiments, as his.
tory will tell.
| do not pretend to tell what the other regi-
ment did or did not do. II is glory enough for
their three years service for this glorious
country Of ours. So, Comrade Mathews, when
you fro again, be sure you see something to
hit, for you cannot rob the old 7th of their
hard earned laurels. Carleton said of the
charge at Marye's Nights, May g. 1868: 1t is
10 minutes past IL the pioneers have relaid
the bridges, the signal is given, and the lines
advance; the men in the columns 90 upon the
rum Those under Col. Johns are on the Tele-
graph road. Suddenly the Sunken road and
the stone wall (where the 18th are) are sheet
Of flame. From the cannon on the top Of the
hill comes storm of shell: men drop from the
ranks; the head of the column-7th Mass, I'M
der Col. Johns-falters. but the men in the rear
companies press on. Col. Johns is wounded;
the column is nearer the stone wall but comes
to a standstill. On On' shout the officers.
Col Johns falls, but the blood of the men is
up, and with hurrah they rush upon the Con-
federates Then with bayonets cleaning in
the midday sun they pierce the enemy's lines
aud gain the rear. On the turnpike the head
of tho column is broken. Two howitzers
sweep the road with canister Col. Spear falls
mortally wounded, but the men rush on up to
the muzzles ofthe guns. charging the cannoneers
out On the left, Howes Division in three
lines rush forward. wheel to the right, climb
the steep hillside. capturing the 18th and 2lst
Miss and the celebrated Washington Artillery.
Tn over the field where Sumner lost so many
men in December, rush the regiments of Burn
hams Brigade, charging upon the Confederates
in the Sunken road who fee up the hill pur.
sued by the Union troops"
This is the account given by one who should
be able to tell the facts as they occurred, and,
you see. he mentions the 7th Mass having
gained the rear of the enemy before he men.
toned the other facts in the case. If the 9Th
Me. had been there first, would he not have
said sop. G. CHURCH., Co. b, 7th Mass,
Brock ton, Mass. 4 VS.