The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-09-17

cistcrns We're filled with water. The
men made cartridges in the cellar of the
college building, and cast one hundred
and fifty rounds of shot for the guns at
the foundria5 at Lexington. During
the little respite the evening gave us,
we cast our shot, made our cartridges
and stole our own provisions.
All this time our pickets were con-
stantly engaged with the enemy, and
we were we'll aware that ten thousand
men were threatening us, and knew that
the struggle was to be desperate one.
Earthworks had been reared breast high
inclosing an area OF fifteen to eighteen
acres. and surrounded by ditch. Out
side of this was a circle OF twenty-one
mines. and still further down were pits.
During the night of the 18th We were
getting ready for the defense. and
heard the sounds of preparation in the
camp of the enemy for the attack on
the morrow. Father Butler went around
among the men and blessed them. and
they reverently uncovered their heads
and received his benediction. At 9
O'Clock on the morning on tho 18Th The
drums beat to arms, and the terrible
struggle commenced
The enemE's force had been increased
to $4,000 men and 10 pieces Of artillery.
They planted two batteries in front, one
on the left. ono OH the right and one. in
the rear, aud opened with a terrible fire
which was answered with the utmost
bravery. Our spies had informed us
that the rebels had intended to make
one grand roul, and bury us in the
trenches of Lexington.
The batteries opened at . o'clock, and
for three days they never ceased to pour
deadly shot upon us. About noon the
hospital was taken. 1t was situated on
the left. outside of the intrcnchments.
They besiceed the hospital, took it, and
from the balcony and roof their sharp
shooters poured Il deadly fire within our
Entertainments.
In contained our chaplain and surgeon
ana 10 wounded men. 1t would not be
allowed to remain in possession of the
enemy. n company OF the 18th Mis-
souri, was ordered forward to take the
hospital. They started on their crrand,
but stopped at the breastwurE.,. A com
pany of the 18th Missouri was sent for
ward. but it also shrank from the task.
The Montgomery Guard, Capt. Gleason,
OF the Irish Brigade, were then brought
out. The commander admonished them
that the others had failed; and with q
Drief eNhortation to uphold the name
they bore, gave the word to charge"
The distance was 500 yards. They
started out from the entertainments,
first, quick, then double quick, then on
run. then faster. The enemy poured
q deadly shower of bullets upon them
but on they went-a wild line of steel.
and what is better than steel, human
will. They stormed up the slope to the
hospital door. and with irresistible
bravery drove the enemy before them,
and hurled them far down the hill be-
You'd.
At the head of those brave fellows.
pale as marble, but not pale from fear,
stood the gallant officer, Capt. Gleason.
lie SAID, Come on, my brave boys" and
In they rushed. But when their brave
capain returned, it was with q shot
through the cheek and another through
the arm. and with but fifty OF the eighty
he had led forth. The hospital was in
their possession This charge was One
OF the most brilliant and reckless in all
history. and to Capt. Gleason belongs
the glory.
After this charge the fire of the enemy
Jagged. We were in a terrible situation
Toward night the fire increased, and in
the evening word came from the rebels
that If the garrison did not surrender
before the next day they would hoist
the BLACK flag at their cannon and Give
US no quarter. Word was sent back
mat When we asked for quarter IL
would be time to settle that" It was
q lorrible thing to see those brave fel.
lows mangled. and with no skillfu
hands to bind their gaping wounds. Ou
surgeon was held with the enemy,
Capt. Moriarty went into the hospital
and, with nothing but razor, acted the
2art OF surgeon. We could not bs
without chaplain or a surgeon any
longer. There was in our ranks a Lieut.
Hickey, who was dispatched from the
hospital with orders to procure the sur.