The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-08

CAPTAIN PLATr SHOUTING DErfAECE.
ceived the idea Of wiring some stumps
which stood thickly in field just in
front OF our little breastwork with wire
taken from the telegraph poles along the
pike. On application TO headquarters the
order was given 10 proceed aud fix things
That night busy hands transformed the
innocent looking stumpfeld into a trap
for unwary feet, the efficacy Of which was
TO be tested before another sun. We had
builded better than we knew.
ION the morning Of the 10th, under cover
of dense fog, the enemy formed outside
their fort and made a savage attack upon
our right, Heckman's and Wistar's brig
ades bearing the brint of the attack. A
rebel flag was planted short distance in
front of our line in n spirit OF bravado, and
then the charge was made. Every inch Of
that ground was as familiar to the boys,
who had been sighting over it for three
days, rs were the streets Of their native vii
lagos In New Hampshire. Not shot was
wasted, but as the charging line of gray
came into view through the fog IL met two
charlottesville network OF wire, which
threw il into inextricable confusion, and q
storm of bullets from tho rifles Of the Sec
ond regiment, which moved the men down
with merciless accuracy. Wounded and
uninjured were piled together In confusion,
and then the Second as one man in their ex-
citement jumped upon the log breastwork
uud poured pellay after yolley into the
writhing mass.
"The attacking force was finally with
drawn, only 10 renew the charge with
equally fruitless and DAMAGING results.
The fog was lifting, and the spectacle in
T. A lN. I..s n.
seen before. The ground In front OF the
breastworks was literally covered-nay, it
was matted--withth the bodies Of the brave
southerners who went down In their rash
attack, Including some Of Richmond's
finest young men, who had been brought
out TO Fort Darling In the emergency. The
loss Of tho enemy has been estimated at
from 1900 TO 1000. a Confederate who
was in the fight and subsequently taken
prisoner said TO one of our boys that their
loss on the right OF the turnpike was /, 500
men and expressed the frank sentiment
that the Wire was n damned rascslly con-
trivancer The loss OF tie Second was
slight--s killed and 10 wounded, among the
killed being Captain James II. Plat OF
Company r."
Captain platt was shot down from the
top Of the breastworks, where he stood
shouting defiance 20 the entaugled Confed.
crates. The southern troops were John
sons and Hagood's brigade Of Hoke's di-
vision. The Gag OF the Seventh south Caro-
lima battalion received % fresh bullet holes
tn th.s fight, and in one company there
were IS men struck by Union bullets. Two
weeks later the Second participated In the
notorious grand charge" 40 Cold Harbor.
H. lost % killed and IS wounded. Some Of
The killed were original members OF May,
1861, whose term Of service bad legally ex-
pired. After the repulsc the survivors fell
back a short distance and built shallow
rife pits by digging mp the earth with their
tin dippprs and plates and bayonets.
Cold lIarbor was the last battle OF the
old second New Hampshire, aud It's death
roll up TO that time was los. It's total
death list including recruits was ia; total
killed and wounded. 6se The regiment
was on several occasions praised by its di-
vision and corps commanders for gallant
conduct on tho battlefield.
L