The National tribune., 1892-04-14

umns. each marching by fonrs. were formed on
the Plank and Telegraph roads. and were sup
ported 10y line of infantry from the Light
Brigade on the left. commanded by Col. Bnrn-
ham. The right column, under Col. George
{. Spear. WAS composed of the 6lst Pa and
the .;id y. Y. These two regiments belonged
TO the Light Brigade. This column was sup
ported By the 9th y. y. and the SD Pa,
under Col. Alex. Shaler. The left column con-
sisted of the 9Th Mass. and the Both n. T.,
under Col. Thos ID. Johns. The line of battle
commanded by Col. Hiram Burnham. was COM
posed Of the 9Th Wis. lacting as skirm'Shcrsl,
the 9th Me-. and 3lst \. Y. (theso three regi-
ments also belonged 10 the Light Brigadel, and
the 23d Ia. Howe's Division was posted
south Of Hazel Run, and co-operlted hand
somely, capturing FIVE guns" / will also quote
from 4 letter of Gen. Ncwton's.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD DIVISION, SIXTH
ARMY CORPS.
OFFICE OF ADJ'T-GENERAL, MAY Is, 1863.
To Ills Excellency john A. ANDREW, Gov
error OF Massachusetts,.
SIR: Permit NE to call your attention to the
excellent conduct OF tho Massachusetts regi-
ments under nay command during the late
operations OF the Sixth Corps.
The 9TH Mass. stormed the flights Of Frcdcr-
icksSurg in column without firing shot, and
suffered severely. To Lieut.. Col. F. p. Har-
low who commanded the regiment after the
fortunate result. Col. Harlow proved himself
hero. As this was charge not exceeded in
brilliancy and daring by any operation of the
war, the 9Th ought TO receive adequate praise.
Your obedent servant,
JOHN NEWTON, Major General.
After the above quotations | would like to
give nay personal knowledge Of the left assault
ing column aud its support in line of battle.
The eth Mass. was lying quietly in street at
So Ia Sod
wick and Newton had established Headquar-
ters Go. j. under my command, being the
ninth in line and near the corner OF the street.
ltmust have been on the stroke of IL o'clock
when Gen. Sedgewick said TO me: Captain,
Will YOU asl. Col. Johns, with my compliments,
20 countermsrch his regiment 10y the right
lauk?"
Immediately after receiving the order the
couBtcrmarch began. and | rcjoined my COM
pany as it came along. At the corner the eth
Mass. flied 10 the right and in column of tours
marched down the street, not yet double quick.
across bridge. straigh up neither 10 RI ght nor
left. 1t seemed 10 ne as il our hight flank
mist have struck the Sunken road.
Then came a volley from the Nights that
seemed like a blast from tho mouth of hell.
The head OF tie column melted away like
candle thrust into a ladle of melted iron.
Col. Johns fell, severely. not mortaliy, wound
ed. OF Co. +, Capt. Bliss and both Lieuten-
ants were wounded, First and Second Sergeants
killed, leaving the command of the COM
pany to Third Serg't e. b. Hal haway.
Then came a surglng TO the rear the cry
" The orders are to retreat" Twas then that
Ccl Franklin p Harlow, from his post On the
left eank, sprang forward to the head of the
line. and in an inspired and inspiring voice
cried, Forward! Forward. Who says re-
treat?" The pressure at the front was in
stautly relieved ard il WIS 81 Forward" aud
for the irst time it WAS at dou ble-quick.
Now we realized that we had supports; look
ing TO the left and rear we saw line of battle
coming like the wind. Their line was almost
perfect. In their center was the Pine Tree
flag. We knew it meant " victory"
They came up quite distance on our left;
did their own lighting; took all that came in
their way. There was quite enough for ALL
] could tell of many valiant deed that day;
Of productions earned by special acts Of gallan-
try; but forbear and only state facts as l
know them.
That column of tours pierced the line In the
Sunken road before any supporting troops
were within 100 yards.
Lieut.-Co Franklin p. Harlow. Of the 9TH
Mass, was tho hero OF Marye's flights. Al
thongh painfully wounded early in the action,
be kept with his regiment, and did some fine
work later in the day At Salem Church.
Col. Walsh of the Both n. Y, was at his post
Win ms regiment Ia the rear OF the 9TH Mass.
Certainly he rot at the head Of the column.
II. +. Mathews mistook my meaning in the
letter l wrote him some four years ago. The
speech Of Gen. Russeil's whici quoted was made
some six months aicr Ia regard 10 the charge
at Rappahanock Station, for il was not till after
the stOrning Of Marye's flights that Gen. Rus
sell had any personal knowledge OF the 9th
Me. and 9th Wis.
am not writing to start controversy.
There was work enough for all that day
There were deeds OF told land untold bravery
which would fill volumes. Many another
regiment might have done as well as the 9TH
Mass, but that was their opportunity and they
embraced il AID did their duty.
Can you wonder that we arc proud of our
gallant commanding officer of that day, and
wish his galantry recognized? / have teen
careful III my quotations above, and also in the
recital of my personal obscrvation.-JAMEs X.
MATHEwsoH, Captain, Co. i. 9Th Mass, North
Attleboro, Mass.