The National tribune., 1895-05-16
WHAT HE SAW.
Soue Things Not Told Before About Thai
Four-Guu Battery.

Sorue Things Not Told Before About That
Four-Guu Battery.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: / will
make few statements in regard to the
capture of the four-gun battery at Resaca.
AS the 102d III. remained next day 10 bury
the dead, we had n chance to see and learn
| some particulars in regard 10 the battle that
| the rest of the division did not have, and
| feel satisfied can convince l.. Phetterplacs,
| 18th Mich, rs well rs others, that the Sec
| ond Brigade did not do all the fighting in
capturing said battery.
| The determined charges made at this
point were of considerable Importance, as it
was considered the key to Johnston's posi-
tion on his right flank. The Third Division,
Twentieth Corps, had been selected to charge
the battery, and the First Brigade TO lead
the charge, with the Second and Third Bril-
gades in easy supporting distance. The
| First Brigade unslung knapsacks, formed
| in column by regiments, right in front, as
follows: 10th Ind, 102d ILL.,, 10th Ohio,
10th and 105th Ill.
We were ordered to fix bayonets, and at
the command forward, moved promptly to
the front through heavy growth of young
pines, gradually increasing our speed until
we had passed over considerable space, when
we gave cheer and charged full speed for
the lunet, when the quaker guns our COM
| rade speaks of opened on us as fast as they
could be worked.
Fortunately for rs, they were aimed too
| high, but Capt. Wilson, of Co. K of our
regiment, was Frustrated and bruised con-
siderably by the concussion of an exploding
| shell. With rush we crossed the valley
and gained the tep of the hill and the lunet,
where many of the batterymen who refused
| to surrender were killed or captured at their
| guns. some of our Co. G. boys taking part of
| the prisoners to the rear.
Our comrade of the Second Brigade stated
that when his regiment came up he saw no
| batteryman there. That is accounted for by
the fact that the First Brigade had previ-
| ously sent to the rear all that were able to
go. Several Of our nen charged on to the
main works, driving the rebels back some
distance but rs we were not supported on
the TANKS. they gave US such whitening
fire at these points that we found it impOs-
sible to hold this advanced position, SO fell
back behind the lunet, where all that could
took shelter, the rest taking position lower
down the hill, but still in supporting dis
lance of those in 'front.'
If the 10Th Mich. passed over troops these
must have been the men, and if they went
much farther they found plenty of rebel
lead. Our boys held the position until re-
lieved after dark, when the guns were dug
out and taken to the rear. These guns had
seen service, but were still handsome pieces !;
on one was inscribed: Minnie, the Belle Of
Alabama" Judging from their appearance
we counted them still quite effective.
Oar regiment, the 102d H., being detailed
to bury The dead, spent the 18th in that
- -
gade in one long grave near the lunet.
/ have no recollection of seeing any dead OF
the Second Brigade near the lunet next
day, but if there were they we're taken aud
buried farther TO the left, where part of that
brigade made gallant charge later in the
day, and had quite number killed. know
they were not buried near the lunet
We buried several Of the dead batterymen
where the guns had stood. As these guns
were left in the valley near the lunet next
day, we had ample time to inspect them, but
found none of them loaded, so think there
was some mistake in that respect. We at
| tached ropes and hauled them TO Resaca In
the evening, and left them in care OF troops
there.
would say for the satisfaction it may
give some who fought over that ground that
the bushes were cut off as clean rs if brush
scy,he had been passed over it for con-
| siderable distance around the lunet. l
never saw battlefield SO clearly swept In
one days fight.
In the history of the 102d Ill, written at
the close of the war, is copy of Gen. Butter
fields congratulatory order to the Third DI-
vision, issued just after the battle, which
ought TO settle the whole question. The
| order reads:
| HEADQ'R's THIRD DIVISION, TWENTIETH CORPS, /
NEAR REsAcA, GA, May To- 1854
General Orders, No 4.
| The Major General Commanding feels 1t n duty.
| well pleasure. To congratulate the DIVISION
| upon It's achievements yesterday. The gallant as
sault and charge of the First Brigade, capturing
| four guns in the enemy's fort; tho brave support
of The assault by q portion OF the Second brigade
on the left with the glorious repnlso 1t gave twice
its force. proved the division worthy n high name
and fame. Let every one endeayor by attention
to duty obedience orders, devotion and courage,
| 10 make our record in the future as in the past
| such that the army and the country will ever be
| proud of us.
by commando OF MaI.-Gcn. BUTrERFiELD.
| JOHN SPEED. Captain aud A. A. e.
j. II. UNCOMMON, Sergeant, Co. q, 1O2d
ILL.,, Oxford, Pa.
| ---------s---------