The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1897-04-22
position to foil the enemy, who was

closely pursuing.
.sThe next day. says General Grant.
"while hating and taking coffee beyond White
Oak swamp, the enemy unexpectedly and sud-
denly opened upon us with terrific cannon
ade at short range. It probably excelled any
open field cannonade of the war except that
Of the third day Of Getty sburg. All commands
suddenly and unsv. idab1y went Is the rear in
confusion. It was 9le work OF d moment and
the work Of only a few moments to rally tho
different regiments. There was no fear or
thought Of danger. The first thing to be done
was to rally the regiments into line, and until
that was done the excitement and the effort
overcame fear. But after that was done we
waited in line long time expecting the enemy
to make an infantry attack. That waiting was
fearful. was suffering from swamp fever,
and the terrible fighting ut Savage Station the
day before and the all night march through
White Oak swamp had nearly exhausted my
powers of physical endurance. That was q ter
ribly sad and long afternoon, and if ever felt
the coward felt it then. did wish the enemy
would let US alone and ! 1onged for night to
come. never had such feeling before and
never since. twas feeling Of weakness-of
fear. though il the enemy would only let us
alone that day didn't much care what he did
afterward. He did let us alone excepting to
keep up an irregular artillery fire, and lived
to fight another day.
'tTke second day OF the second battle Of
Fredericksburg, or rather the battle of Salem
Heights, May 1868, was one of the times when
really enjoyed the fight. Lee, according to
his report, had crippled Hooker at Chancellors-
vile, and leaving small force to watch Hook
err went with his main army to meet Sedgwick,
marching up from Fredericksburg. Lee met
Sedgwick near Salem church and checked his
advance just before night. Lee had a large
force in Sedgwick's front and had extended
his line around to the left so that Sedgwick' S
retreat upon fredericksburg was cut off. Lee
took nearly all the next day to arrange his
forces for attack. It came late in the after
noon. It was a splendid attack. His large force
moved down Oh us in three long lines Of bat
tie. It was splendid sight, sight that incit-
ed admiration rather than fear My brigade
was we'll posted Oh q crescent shaped swell.
Before reaching us the enemy's lines became
| somewhat confused in passing a ravine in
driving out small force our front, but
| they came upon us with great force and in
pretty good order, and their attack was hand
somely repulsed and part of the brigade ad-
vanced upon the attacking, party and captured
many prisoners The attack was SO grand and
exhilarating and the countercharge SO COM
plete and successful, nearly all in open field
| and plain view, that could not help enjoying
it.
"The other time when enjoyed the fight
was at the Wilderness, May 6, 1864. The battle
commenced May 5, when General Getty, with
three brigades Zone Of which was mine), was
compelled to attack Hills Confederate corps
| without waiting for Hancock s corps. confess
| that I went into the attack with fear and
| trembling, because it seemed almost like a
| forlorn hope 1t was we'll: known that we
| were to attack greatly superior force
and under great disadvantage. But the dan
! ger was imminent and the attack must
be made, and it was made The result was
that the enemy, who was about to attack, was
held in check until dark, and our army was
saved from a great disaster, but with the loss
of half Of my officers and one third of my en-
listed men. We were relieved by Hancock
about dark. Soon after that an order came
| stating in substance that the whole army
would attack the enemy at daylight. Such an
order was new experience, and, coming, as il
! did, just after such fearful slaughter and
while we were burying our dead and caring
! for our wounded, produced fearful impression
on my mind. Surprising that we must repeat
| the attack of that day, i Immediately concluded
that it would be the last of many men and that
I was among the number destined to fall. The
impression amounted to conviction, and coult
not shake it off nor overcome it. In the morn
ing gave my pocketbook to one comrade anc
do with each. also gave directions as to tn,
disposition Of my horses. The certainty o
death seemed real to me- There seemed n,
reasonable doubt of it.
"But the attack was quite different from
that of the day before. There were four line
of battle in our front, and we did not fire sho
until after an advance Of mile or more an.
after our advance was checked and those fcu