The National tribune., 1898-09-01
REcOLLEcTI0NS OF DEEP BOTTOM.
Charge and Counter Charge and Hard Fight
Ing by the 11th Me.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: On the
evening of Aug. 13, 1864, the 18th Me. went
on picket. About 3 o'clock next morning
| orders were given for the 18th to advance.
We moved over slightly-ascending ground.
Our orders were to make as little noise as
possible.
Crawling forward on our hands and knees
to the top of a hill, we looked down upon
the rebel picket-lines. In the valley below,
unconscious that our men were so near, three
videts were so close to our line that brick
might have done effective work.
Meanwhile the 10th Conn. and oath Mass.
had moved forward and formed on our left.
Suddenly bugle on the right sounded charge,
and there arose on the early morning air the
cries of charging men all along the line
Down over the steep hill and over the posted
picket-liue of the enemy we rushed
The Johnnies We're eating their breakfast.
We made no apologies, neither did they, but
got out of our way in double-quick time, leav-
ing behind guns, haversacks, and accouter-
ments. We sat down and ate breakfast for
them, the rebels meanwhile firing at US spite
fully from behind trees.
Soon the rebel batteries began throwing
grape and canister by way of chorus.
The prisoners were sent to the rear and we
formed in line and fought on that day the
battle Of Deep Bottom. Now Fosters Bri-
gade-the 24th Mass, 10th Conn, 18th Me-,
and Tooth n. Y-of the Army of the James,
saw active service from May 10, 1864, until
April 8, 1865, at Appomattox.
During this campaign our loss was 1886
out of 1886. This is a matter of record.
The most desperate of our battles was that
at Deep Bottom on reconnaissance in force
At the charge my regiment lost 10 killed and
daH Tba I'M
ing and getting into position. At break OF
day on the 18th we were ordered forward
Our forces consisted of Terry's Division of
the Tenth Corps and Gregg's Division of the
Second Corps. Mahones and Willcox's Divis-
ions of the rebel army were in our front.
We advanced through an open field into 2
woods raked by a tremendous fire OF artillery
and infantry. Here we lay down and awaited
orders to assault the Notifications in front.
About 10 o'clock we were ordered to charge.
Springing forward with a genuine Yankee
cheer, the Iron Brigade made the charge.
We were subjected to triple fire of artillery
and infantry, such as we never before met.
The woods were alive with bursting shells and
screeching minie-bullets.
The regiment on our right (the 1st Nd.
dismounted cavalry obliqued into our line
and made some confusion. While our Off
gered like drunken men under the awful fire
of lead and iron. just then Foster rode
along the front OF his brigade, cheering his
men on down through the slashing and up
over the hill. We drove the enemy from
his works and across them into the woods be-
yOnd. The works were ours none too soon,
for our ammunition was spent. A fortunate
accident occurred. We found several boxes
of cartridges that the enemy had left in their
hasty retreat. 1t fitted our rifles. and we
fought the rest of the battle with Johnnies'
bullets, which We returned to them with
forcible interest. The worst had not come
yet. The position of Fosters Brigade was
no enyiable one, for while we had secured the
enemy's works the troops on the right had
not been so successful, on account of high
bluff. Twice they attempted to flank it, but
in vain; the enemy held it and gave Us such
a flank fire that men were shot down in large
numbers, without any hope OF remedy.
Just about this time great yelling gave
notice that the enemy had received reinforce
ments, and soon a line-Of- battle came out of
the woods on the charge. 1t was received
in u way to cause them to make a haSty re-
treat, leaving q score or two dead and
wounded on the field.
The artillery of the enemy re9Dubled its
efforts. Great pine trees were knocked into
kindling- wood, or barked clean. Again the
Johnnes charged. This time they drove
back the troops on our left and EXPOSED Us to
a crOSs-f fire
The 1lth stood its ground unAl ordered
back; and it was time-in five miSntes moro
the whole of the regiment would .lave taken
a trip to a rebel prison.
There was no llinching that day IN the 18th
Me. at any rate. Thirteen men wire killed,
81 wounded, and six taken prisoners in ono
little battalion of less than 800 mer who were
on duty.-WM. I'll. DoUGHTY, Cc; f, 11th
Me-, Orr's Island, Me.