The National tribune., 1894-07-12


angles to the formez position. There
was not room for the whole regiment ts
lie in line and keep covered in this cut
so one wing was doubled behind the
other On top of the bank was worm
fence, through which we could watch any
movement of the enemy if they came
out into the open ground.
The 10th n. Y. were posted In the
wood on our left, and little in advance
of us as we then were, but to their left
there appears to have been quite an in
terval, as they could see nothing of the
right of Grifin's Brigade in that di,
rection.
Martins Massachusetts, battery of
Napoleon guns was posted on the bank
to the rear of our new position and were
firing over us, who were repeatedly adj
monished to keep our heads down.
In a little while a column of the
enemy were seen marching by the flank
in formation of fours through the strip
of woods on the other side of the field
opposite us (eight companies of the 18th
S. c. that ran along toward the position
of the Regulars But our battery poured
their grape and canister into the flank
of their column, and they beat hasty
retreat to where they had come from.
Soon after, Lieut-Col. FL. Duryea, In
command of the regiment, said that the
enemy were coming out of the woods
into the open field, where we wanted
them. They advanced with trailed
arms and loud yells at a double-quiek,
with the evident intention of capturing
Martins battery, behind u.s.
The 10th, on our left, in the mean
time had commenced firing with their
smooth-bore rifles, which carried three
buck and one round bullet and were
effective at short range. The order was
passed along our line: "Let no man fall
out to assist the wounded; we will take
the field and look after them afterward." "
Lieut.. Cartwright who had previously
been wounded through the thigh when
a private in the 9TH at Big Bethel, and
Capt Bradley, of Co. 6, were the first
to require assistance. The former had
received his
MORTAL woUND.
We watched through the fence the yell
ing rebels, fast approaching us, but un-
aware of our presence, hid as we were in
the road, with intense interest, as we
knew that in moment we should meet
them in deadly conflict. After they
were all well out Lieut. Col. I'll. Duryea
said:
"Now, men, your time has come.
Keep together, and see that you do your
duty"
The regiment jumped up as one man,
and down went the fence on the bank in
front. On account of one wing being
doubled behind the other in the road,
the order was given for the wing in rear
to march double-quick by the flank and
form on the other to make one Hne-of
battle, which was performed In good
order In the face of the enemy, who
were within about 800 feet, and the
order was giyen TO left wheel, which we
did In good order. Co. /, on the left,
were consequently the nearest to the
enemy, and in his zeal Capt Partridge
did not wait, but charged his company
on the enemy In advance of the main
body. When they got quite close, the
Captain ordered his men, who were
armed with Sharp's breech-loaders, to
pick out their men from right to left,
and they poured murderous fire into
the enemy, cutting large gaps in their
ranks and making them come TO a
sudden halt Our men Immediately fell
fiat ON the ground, and hence did not
suffer so very much from the return
fire.
In the meantime they had loaded.
They repeated their tactics, when the
enemy closed up and made charge for
them. Capt. Partridge had just given
the order to retreat, when Serg't
Strachan saw him raise his band to bis
side He jumped for him, but the Captain
fell, opening his mouth as if to speak,
out of which rushed a stream of blood
be was shot through the heart.
Harmon had seen Confederate wear
ing long beard taking aim at the
Captain, but before he could fire at him
the fatal bullet had sped on its errand
Of death. As the Captain fell, Strachan
and several Others turned instinetively
and fired at the Confederate, and he fell
dead, as afterward ascertained,
PIERCED BY SEVERAL BALLS.
The Captain sbody was aferward tax en-
charge of by Lieut. Mcconnell and de-
hvered to Quartermaster Thomas. On
bis person were found some important
papers, which were placed in the hands
of Col. Warren. May 81, 1894, few
survivors of the 9TH n. Y. met at Green
wood and decorated the graves of some
IS members Of their regiment lying
there, among them Capt. Partridge's
tomb was not forgotten, or Capt. Cart
wright, Serg't Hopper, and Vincennes.
The two latter were among those Of our
regiment who fell at Big Bethel on the
field, June 10, 1861. They were also
remembered
While Co. | was so nobly acting its
part the regiment had formed in line-of-