The National tribune., 1898-11-17
THE JoNESBoRO CHHRGE.
"A .4th Ind. Man Tells of tho Exciting Rush
for the Rebel Works.

for the Rebel Works.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: l have reat
many interesting articles written by the boyi
on campaigns, battles, charges, and persona
experiences in the war of the rebellion IL
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, of which l have
6een a constant reader for the last 20 years
Now. am impressed with the thought OF
adding few lines about the charge at Jones
boro, Ga, Sept. /, 1864.
On the night of Aug. % we withdrew from
bur position on the west side of Atlanta.
taking southern course in the direction OF
Jonesboro. which was % miles away. Arriv-
ing there on the afternoon of Aug 81, we
heard heavy fighting two miles IN advance,
and soon learned that the enemy had tried to
dislodge the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Corps
from the west side Of Jonesboro, but failed,
with heavy loss.
On Sept we started in the direction of
Jonesboro, taking the risht-hand side OF the
railroad, which runs south. We soon formed
in line-of-battle. and passing through some
waste fields and a dense thicket. we came to
an open space which WAS 80 rods across to
the next woods, in which the enemy had
good Notifications in plain view.
Commencing at the railroad and running
invest some 40 rods. then turning south for
half mile, where the Fifteenth and Six
aeenth Corps were facing them, the Fourth
and Twenty-third Corps were on the east
side and the Fourteenth Corps, on the north
side of Jonesboro, with the Second Brigade of
the First Division close to the railroad, the
Third Brigade of the Third Division to their
right; First Brigade of the Second Division
still On their right, with the rest OF the
Fourteenth Corps in reserve.
When we came to the scene of action the
Second Brigade, First Division, was there,
and had been in the fight, and, from all ap-
pearances. had been roughly handled.
The Third Brigade of the Third Division
was next on the scene, and formed with the
3sth Ohio on the left and 9th KY. on the
right, in the front line, with the 14th Ohio
in the rear of the 3Sth Ohio, and 74th KY. in
the rear of the 10th KY, in the second line.
Gen Baird rode up to Col. George b. Este,
and neryously told him to have his brigade
pile their knapsacks, as there was going to be
some hard work for them. When all was
.ready the Third Brigade started for the rebel
works
When we had advanced halfway across the
field the enemy opened on the brigade with
"a four-gun battery, using grape and canister,
and the infantry poured in the musketry,
which staggered the brigade and caused a
partial halt, when the 74th Ind. passed to
the front with the colors flying and in line,
as though out on dress-parade, and rushed
upon the rebel works with the audacity that
was never surpassed before by any other regi-
ment.
Here we found ourselves face to face with
the pride of the rebel army-Pat Cleburne's
division.
We went to work with sternness thai
l. l. f<> how
pnet and shoot all of them. Some begged
,piteously for their lives, while others though'
TO show fight; but when they felt the bayonet
quickly obeyed the command to throw down
their guns climb over their works, and pas:
80 the rear.
The rest of the brigade had shifted some
10 the left and stopped at the first line o
works, which was partly finished, when the
d7th n. Y. came from the right and rear t.
reinforce them and they quickly rushed for
ward and carried the second line, which wa.
The main line
The 74th Ind. had preceded all other troops
ZONE 10 minutes in gaining the works
When the troops in the rear saw the prisoner
running back without guard. they thought
we had been captured, and the rebels wer'
charging on them, but were surprised wher
they saw they had no guns, and took charge
of them, some $50, which had been captured
by the 74th Ind.
Co. A captured four-gun battery on thu
sfight close to the angle where the work
turned south. In about 10 minutes aftel
clearing the works the First Brigade, Secont
Division. came to our support and Tapped OF
Cos. a, +, and ID. which had made an open
ing for them to pass in, and they swept dowI
behind the enemy some 20 rods and cap
tured a foUr-gun battery and some prisoners
Here ended the fight, which was Of shor
duration, but very determined and spirited
The 74th Ind. lost 100 out of 800 wht
went in the fight, the rest of the Third Bri
gade lost in the same proportion, and tn
loss in the First Brigade, Second Division
was light, as the enemy were broken and con
fused, and when they came to the works Tn
Second Brigade First Division, suffered heay
oily and did not gain a foothold at first
There was only one brigade out of each di
vision that took hand in this fight, tn
balance Of the Fourteenth Corps being il
deserve.
During the night the enemy retreated +
Joyejoy Station. The three brigades cap
tured four-gun batteries and 900 prisoners
j. d. ULYERs, Co. ], 74th Ind, Goshen
Ind.
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