The National tribune., 1896-05-21
A NOTABLE CHARGE.
Action of the 18Th n. j., July %, 1864, Most
Important


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In recent
issue reference is made to an event that took
place July 81, 1864, when 200 picked men
from the Twentieth Corps charged and set
fire to some buildings right under the guns
of a fort on the Atlanta campaign.
We who partic pated in tue charge are
proud Of the action Of cur regiment 18th
y. J. on two occasions, to which / shall
refer. The lines OF the armies, mostly forth
fed, were uncomfortaby close in front of
the Twentieth Corps, and there were some
Irregularities in our picket-line which il was
desirable TO straighteD, and directly in front
of our regimental position, on "A knoll in n
cleared field, stood cluster of houses and
other buildings.
The enemys picket-line was established in
front OF the houses the edge of the hill,
while our picket-line was at the foot of the
hill, and therefore at quite a disadvantage.
Behind these houses strong line of rebel
breastworks had been constructed; large
fort projected from this line, protected by
abatis, cneveaux de frize and other obstruc-
tions which made them invulnerable; but
this fort could not be seen by our batteries
posted on the hill alongside Of the Atlanta
pike.
Gen. Hooker's attention was called to this
fact, and a person familiar with the rebel
line stated that ii these houses could he
destroyed the rebel works and the fort would
be uncovered and exposed to view The
houses seemed to stand as menace 10 our
army, and as our brigade occupied a promi-
nent position in their 'front.' the question of
charging the enemy's line and setting fire TO
them was frequently discussed, but no one
seemed 10 crave the duty: 1t was n hazard
Gus undertaking, and yet the feeling seemed
to grow that somebody would have to per-
form the work.
1t was determined that the movement
should be made, and with the view of attract
ing the attention OF the enemy, it was ordered
that united demonstration along the entire
line be made by one regiment selected from
each division, under cover of which the
work should be accomplished
The 18th n. j. was selected for this i'm
portant special duty from the First Division
of the Twentieth Corps.
Orders came from Brigade Headquarters
for a detail of two men from each company
inthe regiment TO report there for instruc-
tlons. Volunteers were called for, and a
prompt response was made, and they were
known as the firing party" They were
each furnished with bundle ofsplit shingles
and plentifully supplied with hemp and
other inllammable material. The regiment
was assembled in light marching order, and
it became evident that we had once more
been selected for some important special
duty, which we soon learned was the firing
of the houses.
The reg ment then moved into the woods
on the left of our bIeastworks our guns
being carried at a trail" and halted near
the picket reserve post of the First Brigade.
where we lay down upon the ground. The
formation of the regiment was eight COM
panes in the front lineAnd two companies
In reserve.
When all was ready for the charge, Col.
Carman gave the signal-the waving of a
white handkerchief-to our battery on the
hilI, which at once began firing on the
enemy's line. By this time the whole army
seemed to have knowledge of what was
going on. From the breastworks for over
mile there was an unobstrucied view of our
situation, and thousands of anxious men
were watching us with deep interest For
the time We held that vast audience spell
bound.
The mission on which we were engaged was
an important one and dangerous The
enemy had very strong force in the rife
pits, and backed as these were by strong
fortified line of breastworks, the duty inn
posed upon us seemed very difficult and ex-
tremely hazardous. When the fourth shot