The National tribune., 1896-05-21

was fired from the battery, the first line
arose and moved steadily forward.
As we entered the cleared ground some oil
the rebel skirmishers fired at US, but we
pushed on and mounted the rihe-pits. Sc
rapidly was the movement executed that
but few of the pickets Of the enemy at that
point escaped, but the larger number, in
Guiding two commissioned officers, were
captured. Immediately behind us came the
"house burners"
As soon as the skirmish- line was captured
| they ut once proceeded 10 the houses and
applied the torch. The second line also
came up on run, the men shouting and
yelling at the top of their voices, and closed
in around the houses So far we had &C
complished our object without loss, but as
soon rs the line appeared on the top of the
hill the enemy poured heavy fire into MS
from their breastworks, and the guns in the
fort opened full upon us.
The first fire from the enemy's artillery
struck Orderly -Serg't Richard Brown, taking
off one of his legs, from the effects of which &c
soon died. The commands of the Confeder-
ate officers TO their men were plainly heard
by u.s. We ut once concentrated our fire on
| the embrasures of the fort, thereby slencing
their guns Another battery farther to the
ICiI OIicu OptuCu pun uub uiu hO SSiiOuS
damage. The enemy soon resorted to more
effective measures to regain possession of the
| hill. While they kept up lively fusilade
| from their breastworks large body OF
troops moved into position some distance TO
the right for the purpose of attacking us.
We noticed the movement of the enemy.
BY this time the buildings were all ablaze,
and the command was given to return to the
breastworks.
Our work for that day was accomplished.
We retired in good style, bringing 33 pris-
oners captured on the rebel picket-line.
The loss of the enemy in killed and wound
ed was also considerable. AS marched
back, loud and continued cheering from the
thousands of spectators greeted us. The
enemy soon after reoccupied their old picket
line.
This exploit was frequent theme Of con-
versation throughout the whole corps, and
gave us considerable renown. That night
complimentary order from Col. Carman
was read to each company in the regiment.
The order conveyed the thanks of Gen.
Williams, our division commander, for the
success of the charge, which he emphasized
by saving: You have done WE'LL"
This achievement has always been right
fully considered one of the most gallant and
important the regiment ever performed. 1t
reqsired pluck, prompt action, and GOODNESS
from both officers and men, but what was
of the greatest value TO the regiment was
the high confidence expressed in lis se'ec-
ton for this duty. The casualties i'll the
regiment were few. Serg't Brown and Ma
tbaniel Barnes, of Co. /, were both MORALLY
wounded, the former dying on the 18th of
July and the latter on the LIST of August.
John II. Sterling, of Co. G, and Henry Bed
ford, of Co. f, were killed outright. Sew
eral others were wounded, but | cannot now
call their names to mind.
The completion of The work was accom-
plshed three days later. On the Goth, the
ssirmish-line was ordered to be advanced to
the top of the hin where the houses had
been'burned where the new line was to be
established As "reward of merit" the
18th was selected 10 support the advance.
At daylight the movement was made, and
so suddenly and skillfully was it accom-
plshed that we captured about 60 prisoners
The close proximity of the enemy's line
of works and the fort rendered it difficult
10 throw up the .intfenchments. In the
same manner as when we were on the hill
before, portion Of the men kept up steady
fire, directed mainly at the embrasures of
the large fort, and in that way we became
holly engaged, but succeeded in keeping
their guns silenced The rapid firing made
it necessary that we should soon be relieved;
the line when completed was very strong,
continuous line of works, almost like those
of n linc-of-battle.
Notwithstanding the exposure, the regi-
ment did not suffer heavily, but we had
accomplished an important work, of which
we were justly proud. II. DEvoR, Presi-
dent Veteran Association 18th n. j., 740
Broad street, Newark, N. J.