The National tribune., 1894-04-19
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What0ur Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns
FORT STEVENS AFFAIR.
A Brilliant Engagement, More Dramatic
than Any other Minor Contest.
Continued from last ,ooekl

(Thirdl Brigade. Second Division, was Sc
iected for the performance of this important
task.
This brigade was made up of the 43d, 49th
9th, aud 122d n. Y, 6ist Pa, and Ith Me.
The majority of these organizations had
campaiGned with Mcclellan on the PENN
sula, and had passed through the tres Of
Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, and Malvern HILL
Two of them had formed part OF the lannon's
Light Brigade" and had taken proml-
nept part III the successful stornlpg Oh Ma
ryes flights in May, 1868. All had suffered
severe loss and made good records during
Gen Grants Wilderness campaign, and mere
upon the threshold Of a campaign which was
destined TO crown them with additional un-
fading Iaurels, they moved into line pre-
naratory to giving an exhibition OF actual
warfare.
The President stood upon the parapet OF
Fort Stevens. an interested, anxious spec
tator of the movement. He had sanctioned
and approved every act of Gen. Grant, and
had entered no protest against stripping
Washington of the force that In times past
had been considered indispensable TO its
protection; as a consequence OF this act,
within sight of the city, and almost IN the
shadow of the dome OF the Capitol, not less
than 10000 rebels were arrayed, menaclng
the city and seeking its capture and possibly
its destruction.
The earnest solicitude of the President
was shared by a vast concOurse OF highly
excited and frightened citizens, who
occupied the most favorable points OF view
upon the Notifications, and watched the
progress of the fight with anxious hearts
Many felt that the fate OF the city, If not
of the Nation, was trembling IN the balance ;
that the ultimate triumph OF the cause OF
the Union depended upon the successful
Termination of the task that had been under
taken by these veteran troops.
The general plan of operations as laid out
by Gen. McCoUk was to have three regi-
ments of the brigade move quietly, and
screened from observation by the enemy, to
q point in rear of the Union skirmish- line /;
then, after the forts had shelled the two
houses, at given signal from Fort Stevens,
these three regiments and the skirmish-line
were to dash forward and seize the coveted
points.
The troops were skilfully placed in posi-
ton, and alter a brisk canBonade from Forts
Stevens and Slocum the movement was
made as planned; but as more opposition
was met with than had been expected, they
failed to secure the desired positions, aud 1T
became necessary to deploy the balance Of
the brigade (lhree regments) on the right
Of that part OF the br eade already engaged.
This movement took my regiment (the
1921 \. Y into action, and We received
our orders with more than ordinary interest,
as we were about 10 engage in battle under
the eye of President Lincoln, and were also
making our first appearance in action In
company with new brigade associates, having
Joined Bidweil's Brigade only two days prior
to the time that The corps was ordered to
Washington.
At the time that we received orders to
advance we were formed in line-Of-battle to
the right OF Seventh street, almost directly
facing the Riyts house, and about one
fourth Of a mile In front of Fort Stevens.
We moved forward promptly at the VOID
OF command, and at ghe same time deplOyed
as skirmishers taking distance TO the right
and left. When We started ihe iorH ard
movement Tie lett of our Tegimeutal line
was Considerably 10 the right Of Seventh
street, but in taking distance the line Was
extended so lhat several companies oI the
left wing, Of which my company was enc,
crossed the street, AID IN cur advance eDvel-
oped the Lay II Calberiy) house. This
house had b-eE set on fire by shell thrown
from Fort Stevens during the caunoLade
thai preceded tie -dyance of the troops.
We moved steadily fJIM ard, driving the
enemy = skiTH.isBeTs before US, until We had
passed the burning house aud reached The
ed.,e II entrance OF q hollv6 or Tayine, beyond
which, aid Al, hat 10 the left vi our ir0nt,
WAS AZ eley... on aD.ut on level vi. n The
size Of tie Lay nCUse and extending back
some considerable dis ance.
From tne " GODS taat bounded this plateau
the enemy sw@r.Aod ia overpOwer.ng num-
bers, aud quickly forming IN line-o. lie
were pushed forward 10 drive US Lack AID
regain tie lost ground As they descended
the ALI, wA-cH dipped into tie hollow IN
front Of our mas, they came within range
OF CuT T-gLt VIM, vino op,ned lively fire
upon them. Eogng away frOm this fire they
fell with all iheiT lorce upon the left of our
Tegimrntal Line.
Our advance had been made independent
OF tLe operations o. me other troops, although
On tie right connection was made with
troops Of the First Division near the Riyes
house; but on The left no connection Lad
been ni"de with the line that had been first
taken mo action. Our leit faux Was in ne
air and tie a gnment broken by the OBJ
stac.es We bad encountered during our adj
vance. Hence, when struck by superior
force, and having no cover from which we
could hope TO make succe sslul defense, We
were compelled TO fall back d short distance
10 adjust our line and secure a more deiensi-
bic position
The enemy made no attempt TO occupy
the elevation upon which the burning house
was situated. From their position in the
hollow, which lay between the house and
the plateau upon which they had formed
their attacking force, they could sweep the
crest Oh That elevation and their side OF the
slope, making IT impossible for us TO hold a
position at or beyond the Lay house. Their
position afforded them cover from which
they could direct their fire upon our whole
reglmental line, the heaviest fire being di-
recied against our right, which held ON 10
the position lat or near the Rives housed
that hey bad gained during the advance.
Our line was finally adjusted with the
right Of the reg meut resting at the Riyes
house, and the left near the spot since Sc
lected Ior additional Cemetery, east of Sew
enth street, thus holding the Rives house
and commanding the Lay house, our fire
sweeping the crest of the elevation upon
which it was located SO that it was not ten.
able by the enemy.
The adjustment of the line brought our
left flank nearly IN connection with one of
the regiments Of the brigade occupying a
prolongalion of our line west of Seventh
street
By the time we had taken our new posi-
tion the shades Of evening began to fall, but
oaTkness did not put stop 10 the contest.
Having recelyed a fresh supply Of ammuni-
ton, and being reinforced bv one of the OF her