The National tribune., 1896-05-07
SALEM CHURCH.
A Time Almost Too Lively for Scasone
Veterans.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Before
daylight Sunday, May g. 1863, the Light
Division of the Sixth Corps woke up the
Johnnies on Marye's Nights 10y trying to
steal a march on them.
Our brigade-the Third, First Division
was below The town in line-of-battle trying
to get a nap, and was routed up 10y the
racket 1t was soon over, but some of the
boys said they would not live in such
noisy neghborhood, but would move next
day.
Soon after daylight the batteries of both
sides on the left flank opened fire and kept
il up until about 10 a. m. when we moved
by the right flank toward the town.
As We entered deep ravine near the rail-
road battery above the town fired at US,
but shells fell short. Another bat cry at
south end of the ravine opened on us; the
first shell went over, the next entered
ground near us and burst under our feet
between two last files Of the company. 1t
stunned us for a moment, and wounded
Lieut.. Roberts, of Co. L. After getting into
the rayine they made it bot for Us, as they
had rakiDg fire down lis whole length.
About noon we entered the town and
found it in possession OF the Light Division.
The 3lst n Y, of our brigade, had taken
part in the charge, and we felt proud that
one division Of the old Sixth Corps had done
what Burnside failed TO do at such a terrible
sacrifice of life.
Looking at the almosi-impregnable posi-
ton, it seemed impossible our boys should
have taken it with SO little loss. We were
soon on the move out the plank road in pur-
suit of the Johnnies. They fell back, Skin
mishing, until reaching Salem Church. We
formed line-of-battle, our brigade being on
right of road, with 95th Pa. on left of line
close 10 road. The Jersey Brigade were
in our front as skirmishers
We took position behind light brush
fence, but had hardly done so when there
was a crash of musIetry in the woods ahead
of Us, and the Jersey boys came back in a
hurry, reporting four lines-of battle waiting
for rs. Then the battle opened.
We bad thought it hot at Gaines's Mill
and South Mountain, but it was no COM
parison 10 this. The roar of muske,ry was
awful we could not hear the report of our
own guns and bullets flew like hail. A
battery in our rear Smelling the .Johnnies
fired too low, wounding our Second Lieu
tenant Jones' in the shoulder
About 60 yards in woods on our left was
a small stable, the upper part of which was
filled with sharpshooiers. After picking off
every officer within range, they turned
their attention 10 us. Several times the
JOhnnes had tried to come out of the woods,
but had driven Them back. While
pulling trigger on daring colOr-bearer
who had advanced within 40 yards of our
line, j got a bullet through my left arm
near the shoulder, knocking me out, spoil
ing my aim, aud saving that Johnny's bacon.
few minutes after i heard the rebel
yell. Looking along our line TO see if our
boys were ready for them, found the regi-
ment had moved off by the right flank to
uncover the battery. leaving heavy line Of
killed and wounded behind The fence.
The JQhnnies were about % yards off
when j started 10 run, followed by five COM
rades, all wounded, but able 10 travel. The
JohDnies yelled, fred yolley at us, drop
ping four OF the six. Just then our battery
opened on them with canister and made
them hustle back 10 the woods.
i went across the road in front of the
church, where there were two 20-pound Par
rott guns and six brass l2-pound guns
ready for business. Close by Gen. Sedp-
wick sat on his horse watching the battle.
Of 10 the left of The batteries a brigade of
our boys had charged up TO fence at the
woods. After fighting there a short time
they were ordered 10 fall back, which they
did in good order, loading and firing as they !
reirea ed. They halted on left Of the bat
teTies.
Al that distance / could not see what bri-
gade it was, but the officer in command rode
a white horse. In few moments the rebs
came out of the WOODS in three lines-oc-ba,-
tie, with intervals Of about 70 yards between
each line. They moved at a quick-step.
gums ripht-shoulder shift The pround IN
front Of batteries was clear of brush. etc. for
about 400 yards. When the first line was $50
yards off there was an explosion that shook
the earth, and we could see gaps 10 TO Is feet
wide cut through their line-of- battle. They
tried 10 close them, but were swept away
like leaves before a fierce gale. The second
and third lines advanced until they came
within range, but got no farther.
Nothing human could face that storm of
death. The slaughter was so great il was a
relief to many OF us when their lines broke
and they fed in disorder to the woods pur-
sued 10y shot and shell, like avenging
demons Had all the rest of the army car
ried out their part of the program as well as
the old Sixth Corps Charlottesville would
have bad a different ending Most of our
loss, 500-was at Salem Church, and was
the result Of somebody's blunder at Chancel-
lorsyille.-J. SHAW, 95th Pa, Reading, Pa.
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