Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-12-04


heavy fighting was on the 1st and Sd of
June, and the loss to the army amounted
to some $4,000 men. Our regiment was
continually under the scattering fire of the
enemy and scarcely a day passed from the
1st to the 18th of June but what one or
more of our men were wounded. A re
connoissance by Co. A, on the evening of
the 18th, resulted in the loss of five pris-
oners. The total loss of the regiment in
those twelve days amounted to one killed.
27 wounded and seven prisoners. At TO- 80
on the night of June 18th, we moved out
of the works, marched few miles then
slept by the roadside the rest of the night
The 18th we crossed the ChickahOminy
and marched to the James river which we
crossed on transports on the 18th, and II
O'Clock on the night of the 15th found us
facing the enemy's lines in front of Peters
burg. Late in the afternoon of the 10th,
we We're advanced against the works in
our front being in the second line and not
directly engaged but lost some men.
Working all night throwing up breast
works, we were given Il day of comparative
rest through the 18th, but were kept well
up to the front, losing occasionally a man.
That evening we were put into the front
line on the right of the Prince George
court house road, from which we emerged
at clock on the morning of the 18th,
driving in the enemy's pickets. and de-
veloping the fact that they had withdrawn
from their position of the night before to
an inner and stronger line. Taking posi-
ton along the road in front of the Hare
field and buildings, we soon had strong
line of earth works which we felt capable
of defending in case of an attack. Several
attempts had been made by the different
corps to break through the enemy's line at
various points in the course OF the day
but without success, when, well along in
the afternoon General Birney, then in
command of the Second Corps, received
from General Meade the following orders ::
81 have sent positive orders to Generals
Burnside and Warren to attack at all
hazards with their whole force. l find it
useless to appoint an hour to effect CO.
operation, and am therefore compelled to
give you the same order. You have a
large corps, powerful and numerous,
and beg that you will at once, as soon
as possible, assault in strong column.
The day is fast going and wish the prac-
ticability of carrying the enemy's line set
tied before dark.
Motifs division was selected as the as
saulting column, and when the order was
transmitted to him he protested vigorous
ly against so rash and hopeless an under
taking, but protests under such clrcum-
stances avail nothing. The order was
positive and must be obeyed. Our third
brigade was designated to make the direct
assault and the other brigades were well
in hand to follow up any advantage that
we might possibly gain. The different
regiments composing the brigade We're
withdrawn from the line and brought to
gcther a little to the rear under cover OF
the woods and then marched back into
position in column in an open pine growth
back from the road, so we should just
clear the Hare house on the right as we
advanced As we came into position we
found that our regiment not only headed
the column but we had been made a
column of ourselves by breaking up into
three battalions of four companies each
and, according to our instructions, the
first battalion was to lead off and each
succeeding battalion to follow at dis
tance of 90 PAGES. In short the First
Maine Heavy Artillery became the strong
column" with which the assault was
made for no other regiment advanced be
yond the road. 1t was just as well for
no ten thousand men in column could
have pierced that line manned as it was
with infantry and artillery. The more to
advance the more to be killed, that was
all. There was lead and canister enough
and to snare. From our position among
the pines we could see the whole field over
which we must pass and the earthworks
! bevond. We could see the men behind
those works, no doubt elated at the pros
meet of the harvest Of death they were
about to reap. but the two batteries which
| were to be served with double shotted
| canister on either flank were under cover.
| 1t was perfectly safe to stand up now
both for Union and Confederate troops for
| on our part of the line at least, the noise
of battle was hushed it was the lull before
the storm. And now came the final
preliminaries before starting We were
ordered to load and the guns were loaded
and capped, then to fix bayonets which
was done. Instructions were given not to
fire a shot until we got into the enemy S
/ works. ..Pile up your knapsacks and
leave two men from each company to
ruard them.'' ordered the colonel. The
guards were detailed and the men stripped
| to light marching order For the next few
minutes the guards We're busy with pencil
and note book taking down addresses OF
wife. mother. sister or loved one far away
in Maine. When called to attention the
men were readily in place. There was a
CONTINUED on 9th page.