The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-05-11
MARYE'S HIGHTS.
The Charge Uphill on Sunday Morning, Ma.
focR

/
| 8, 1868.
TYHE Winter of 1S62-'63 the Sixth Corps
was encamped near White Oak Church,
Va The Third Brigade of the Second
| Division of the corps after q not. un
| pleasant Winter and early Spring, and after
! they had set ont trees in the company streets
! that would shade them, so that we could the
better enjoy them in the approaching Summer
| weather, broke camp Tuesday, April %. 1863,
| with eight days rations, to resume daily
marches until we should again meet the army
| of Gen. r. E. Lee
Sunday morning, May g. after our usual
early breakfast, we resumed our tramp, aud
were soon on the Fredericksburg turnpike 1t
was beautiful morning; not cloud visible ;
the sun shining refulgently; the quietness
broken only by the singing of the birds when
most nexpectedly the whiz of balls fell on our
ears. Soon after tie order " halt " was given.
Some of the curious boys climbed up the bank
(about five feet high on the left side of the
road and were surprised to see bluecoats run
ming their best in the lead of some gray ones.
We were ordered up on the plateau and one
volunteer called for from each company of my
regiment-tho 18th y. Y, of the Third Brigade,
Second Division, Sixth Corps-to go out to the
skirmish line. They went, and The grsycoats
in turn became the pursued. Soon after we
saw troops away up on our right. which we sub
sequently learned was the Light Division of
our corps, charging the works on the hills.
That they were successful the appearance of
their flags afterwards on the top of the works
fully showed Our cheers of rejoicing were
quickly abated by the order for the left wing
of the nth n. Y. to go out as skirmish-
ers; while the right wing and the rest of
the brigade comprising the 33d n. Y,
7th Me-, 2ist n. j., 49th N. Y, Goth n. "
and the division (thc Second) on double-quick,
alteru ating left and right obiique, rifles at
right shoulder, with bayOnets fixed, started
for Marye's flights.
In your issue Of March 8 Comrade James
Holehouse, Co B. 9TH Mass, says: 4" ! gave the
names of the regiments, viz, 6lst Pa. 43d n.
y. as the attacking column on the right, snip
ported by the 9th n. Y. and sgd Pa; the 9TH
Mass and Goth n Y. the attacking column on
tie LETT, supported by the 9Th Wis, 6th Me.
3lst \. Y. and 23d Pa. These two columns and
the regiments named the organ cations
which assaulted the flights that day"
Comrade IIolehouse fails to mention the day
and date So it may be as he states. Never
theless, ever since the charge al Mafye's Nights
Sunday morning. May 3, 1863. have felt that
the Third Brigade Second Division, Sixth
Corps, and particularly the 77th n. Y, was in
it that Sunday morning. The nth being first
in the works captured two brass field pieces.
small arms the colors Of the 18Th Miss, with It's
Lieutenant Colonel ], and other prisoners. Lieut.
Col. French, commander of the 18th y. L, to
show that his regiment had captured the con-
mons, put his foot on one. aud while SO stand
ing Gen. Howe, commander OF the Second Di-
vision rode into the works. aud, seeing the 18th
in possession, said: Noble 18th, you have
covered yourselves with glory"
Since that day have entertained the feel
ing that the Second Division. Sixth Corps. and
especially the 77th \ Y, was really in the
charge on Marye's flights that beautiful May
morning, which is silently confirmed by a ball
which ] now hold in nay hand, presented to
me in my head that Sunday morning by n
Johnny with his rifles aid. and which ball was
given to me b. Ass't-Surg. belong. Of the 18th
n Y. who took it out. So, personally, ] am
daily reminded that other regiments than
those named by Comrade Hochousc were in
and did charge. and successfully. the works
Msrye's Nights, Va, Sunday morning May 8.
1863
The SardfogiGH. paper published here, reports
in It's issue o. May II, 1863 by name and COM
pany, the numbers Of the 18th y Y. killed AID
wounded at the charge of Marye's Hights.
which report shows that eight were killed and
20 wounded E. II. FULLER Go. c, nth y. Y,
Saratoga Springs. n. Y.