The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1892-12-08

NHsNs S"EhNA Al AHE AAALE VI bALD hALA.
the 2lst marched to the extreme Union
left to extend the line around the city.
Sweeny's division spent the night IN
bivouac in rear Of the Seventeenth corps,
and Gen. Mcpherson shared the tent Of
the Irish hero. Plans were laids for the
morrow, and on the morning OF the 22d
the division marched of toward the ex-
IRENE left TO wheel into line beyond the
Seventeenth corps, and halted in open field
on Bald Hill, to await fur, her orders.
Suddenly about noon Gen. Sweeny dis
covered troops Of the enemy marching
across the ground he had been directed 70
occupy, and sent out skirmishers to engage
them. The firing alarmed the Union
chieftains, and Mcpherson rode to the
front, rs did also the commander Of the
Sixteenth corps. Before new dispositions
could be made Confederate corps, led by
General Hardee, burst from the woods
into the open field and dashed three or
four lines deep upon the flank Of the Seven
tenth corps to roll up the line. An eye
witness says that Sweeny's division spranR
TO arms like magic, the batteries unlim.
bered on a knoll where they happened 70
be resting, and before the bold assailants
had time to recover their surprise at the
were met at close range by a storm Of bull.
lets and canister that sent them back 70
the cover of the trees. Again and again
they reformed and charged. At the third
repulse Gen. Sweeny gathered up three
regiments and led them with fixed bay.
onets against the broken Confederate
ranks.
After looking on at the repulse of the
enemy by Sweeny, Gen. Mcpherson rode
out beyond the new left flank TO find a
brigade that be had hastily ordered there
In support Of Sweeny. lie unwittingly
rode into the enemy's lines and was shot
down, noble sacrifice for the army and
the nation and personal loss to Gen
Sweeny ut the time. In the excitement Of
the hour the general commanding the
Sixteenth corps rode up TO Sweeny's line
and peremptorily detached several regi-
meDts by giving orders direct TO the colo
nels and Ignoring the division and brigade
leaders altogether. His action broke up
the division, and II subsequently fought in
brigades and detAchments, but always sue
cessfully, capturing cannon, flags and
prisoners.
After the battle Gen. Sweeny made
fiery protest against the arbitrary conduct
Of bis superior, and personal encounter
was the sequel. He was placed in arrest
and deprived Of his command When the
affair reached the ears of Gen. Sherman he
wrote a strong letter to Gen Logan, who
had succeeded to McPherson's place, to
deal cautiously In the matter and secure
justice to the brave Irishman. This inter
ference had the effect Of retaining Sweeny
in service until the end Of the war, when
he was tried and acquitted.
A second cloud settled upon Gen. Swee-
ny's fortunes in 1865 as a result Of his love
for the land Of his birth The Fenian
brotherhood numbered him among its ad-
herents 10 common with most Of the dis
tinguished sons Of ireland in the Union
camps, and he was chosen to head the
Irish forces for the invasion Of Canada.
He had reached the rank Of brigadier gen
eral In the regular army, and resigned that
exalted and honorable position to fight for
the banner Of green. A force Of 10000 men
was promised him, but when the clans
mustered on the Canada border there was
not a good division on all the line between
St. Adams and Buffalo.
Yet the die was cast, and the general
crossed over at Buffalo with Col Neill'S
detachment, aided in the attack on Lime
stone Ridge, and shed blood for the cause.
II was a iiasco OF the most disastrous sort,
and the whole movement went to pieces.
But the republic was not ungrateful to
the heroic exile, and he was soon after
ward restored to full rank in the army
and placed on the retired list. So be died
. soldier In the enjoyment of n rank earned
upon a score Of battlefelds.
GEoRGR l.. KIMER.