The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-07-18

CAPTURING THE RUNAWAY BATTERY.
ployed directly across the route Of march
of the enemy, and Potte First brigade
advanced to within n f. yards of the
road leading to Cold IIarbor. Griiiins bril-
gade, including the Thirty-iirst, was then
led forward TO make the home thrust and
charge across the no. l. The Thirty-first
opened the preliminary skirmish, and be-
fore the battle was fairly joined the at
tack was countermanded from headquar-
tiers. Meanwhile the Maine boys had gone
too far to draw out easily. In less than
an hour, during which they were engaged
chiefly in maneuvering for choice of
ground, with but little chance to fight
back, they paid for the glory to be got
from complimentary order with a loss of
go killed and Al wounded. Three more
officers of the original "a were among the
killed-Captain 'gmes NJ. Williams and
Lieatenants Cha les A. Harrington and
Edwin S. Rogers. "The Thirty-first has
won for its officers and men imperishable
renown," were the Mandatory words of
General Griffin, their brigade commander.
II is a relief to turn for a moment from
| the story of so much gallant fighting done
In vain and write of brilliant success.
| On the 9TH OF June Potter's division form
ed its ranks in a deep ravine east of the
city of Petersburg for daylight charge.
| The Confederates held a strongly fortified
| bluff, their breastworks and batteries
crowded with soldiers who had arrived
during the night from Richmond. Grit
fms brigade comprised two lines Of battle,
the Thirty-frst being in the second line.
1t was ordered TO attack the Shand house
and orchard by moving silently at day
| light, with acoOuterments muiled to pre-
vent noise, and to do the work with the
bayonet mt one rush. As the rays of dawn
lit up the eastern sky the soldiers arose
from the ground and dressed their lines.
Commands We're issued in whisper. The
officers held their watches in hand to time
the action along the whole front. Begin
ming on the right, the whispered word
"Nowi" passed from lip to lip, and in
( stantly the ranks were in motion. Up the
steep bank. across the narrow ledge. it
moved, through the orchard into the bat
terry. The enemy snatched up arms and
signaled the cunnoneers to open fire, but 10
was too late for more than single yolley.
The Maine boys, the Thirty second IN
front and the Thirty first following,
swarmed over the breastworks, shouting
| Surrender, surrender, surrenderV The
battery horses stood in harness ready to
haul the cannon to the point most needed,
for those were stirring days, and assaults
were so frequent there was no anticipating
them except by constant readiness. The
teams Of one gun had been abandoned by
the drivers and were moving across the
orchard when the Thirty-flrst reached the
scene. Colonel Daniel White was in his
place at the head of the column, and seeing
the frightened horses about to break into
a run he seized the lead team by the bri-
die and hung on until he got them Under
control, with their heads turned toward
the Union lines. The deed was performed
In the heart Of a brigade Of Confederates
too much amazed at its boldness to inter
fere That cannon was credited as tro-
ply to the Thirty first. Another cannon
was seized by Grifiin's men that day; also
500 prisoners and ! 900 stands of arms,
The bluff 80 calamity captured was forth
fed by the soldiers who had won It and