The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-07-19
A JOHNNY BEGAN 1T.
Firing During Truce Precipitstes Days
CannOnading.

! SSnuOuhUhSs
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: This articl,
is written for those interested in the lat.
controversy regarding the proper names o.
Forts He'll and Damnation." / may b
able to establish the theory that the forts
were properly named by relating some hap
penings midway between the two forts one
beautiful morning in October, 1864
That terrible and fruitless charge at Colo
Harbor had decimated our ranks, mysel
receiving wound as well, from which / ha6
but recently recovered.
| Soon after rejoining my regiment, the Stf
| n. Y. III. A., Second Brigade, Second Divis
ion, Second Corps, we were placed in For
Morton, in the angle to the right of Fori
He'll. While here our command furnished
details for picket duty, usually, relieving the
| line in front of that fort.
Relief of pickets took place at 9 or 10 p
m. under cover of darkness This was at
tended with more or less danger. as the pits
were not connected by covered way, gen
orally speaking though such was the case in
some instances. The approach to the picket
line from the main line was also above
ground.
At this point on the line the picket-frine
was continuous, but during some portion o.
the day, usually, q mutual agreement could
be effected, by which the firing would cease
under flag of truce.
During the night previous to the morning
in question, had, as commander of the
brigade picket-line, posted the same and
made my regular visit to every post or pit
and had joined nay reserve, situated some
81 or 100 yards in rear of center.
The reserve or bomb-proOf was sufficiently
secure from shot or shell, and a good view
of the picket-line and also the main line OF
the Confederates could be obtained through
openings in the logs of our cover.
As the morning advanced little flags be-
gan to show up on both lines. Soon the fire
ceased entirely, giving the occupants of the
pits of both lines an opportunity of coming
up out of their uncomfortable quarters for a
general stretch of cramped and tired limbs,
the making of coffee, etc.
was required to visit the line at least
once during the day, from center to left and
from center to right, aud return to point OF
departure.
Now was my opportunity. Leaving the
reserve advanced in direct line toward
the center of picket-line. When a short
distance from it, puff of smoke appeared
above the parapet of Fort Damnation, simnl-
taneousiy came the zip of a bullet, after
striking the top OF the picket-plt which
was approaching.
The line of fire was perfect; two inches
higher, and the target would have received
the shot. The shot was good one but the
detection of the bullet was sufficient for
escape. Knowing that there was more
where that came from, / advanced rapidly
to the line. Although the pickets were aware
of the sharpshooter's intentions, they did
- 4
only anxious for my escape as it was plain
case of shooting at shoulder-straps to Kill.
Contrary to the advice of the boys, made
the rounds, as I intended, unhurt, but was
shot at four times while doing so. At the
second fire my men begged the privilege of
opening up on the Confederate picket line
without warning, which ! forbade them
doing, feeling assured that the results would
be disastrous to ourselves as well.-M. n.
Cook, South Byron, n. Y.
ITO be concluded