The National tribune., 1899-01-05
CHARGE OF THE TExANS.
A 18th Mo. Officer Tells of Incidents Around
Battery Robinett.

battery koDtnetf.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your
issue of Aug 1s, find an artid. from Com
rade James De DaiIes Co. A, 9th Ohio, Civ
ing an account of Col Rogers's charge on
Battery Robinett at the battle Of Corinth,
Oct. 4, 1862. He says:
''Robinett was battery of GO-pound Par
rott rifles 1t was supported on its left by
an Illinoissbattery of 12-pound Napoleons;
on the right by Co. F, I'd U. S. Art, with
10-pound PARROTS; the whole supported by
Brig. Gen. d. S. Stanley's Ohio Brigade
composed of the 9th, 39th, 43th and 63d
Ohio and the 18th Mo- Directly in rear of
Robinett-and the key to the position
Fortress Williams.
''They reached the trench in front of the
redOubt where they were met with bayonet
and dubbed musket by the 9th Ohio on on
side, the 18th Mo- on the other. We, how
ever, were born steadily back by sheer force
OF numbers
''But here Fort Williams received them
with huge guns double shotted with canister.
The 39th and 65d Ohio charged home the
rebels began TO waver" Then he tells of
Rogers leaping to the parapet and planting
his flag, and falling, shot, the flag being
gra bed by Private Gould, of the 9th Ohio.
in and commanding the road leading to Cor
NTH. On the right Of Robnett were no
breastworks or chevaux de frise, and the abatis
was fully % yards in front, leaving the road
open. The formation of Fuller's Ohio Bri-
gade to support the right Of the battery was
with the 6;}d Ohio in the front line. their left
resting on the battery; the other regiments
of the brigade on their right in two lines.
The 1lth Mo- did not belong to the Ohio
Brigade, but was held lying down in the rear
Of the 63d Ohio.
The Texas Legion came, down the road in
column, supported on their left with heavy
line, working its WAY through the abati5.
When the column reached the open ground
in front Of the battery. they made an effort
to form line for rush on the battery. but
the well-directed fire of the 6:'d Ohio drove
them back They rallied and came on.
Up TO this time all the 18th Mo. had to do
was to watch the battle. | recollect Gen.
Stanley in the rear of the G3d Ohio trying to
hold them to their work. From where we
lay we could see our line on the right being
driven back until the Johnnies got into Ger
NTH.
About this time it got interesting in our
front. When the cd Ohio broke 20 the rear
Serg't Parker said 10 Tie writer . Well, we
are whipped, and badly whipped, but we
will give them little - before they drive
the 18th Mo. y ta
The Texans made their rush for the bat
terry. Horace Greeley, IN his American
Conflict, says: : The Esd Ohio made half
! lett wheel to sweep the front OF the redoubt,
aud fired five or six voileys, and then the
rebels rushed upon them. A terrific hand
! to-hand combat ensued. The rage of the
conbatants was furious, and the uproaI
hideous 1t lasted hardly minute, but the
carnage was dreadful. Bayonets were used.
muskets dubbed, and men ielled by brawny
| fists. Our noble fellows were victorious, but
at sickening cost"
The ODD Ohio was not in this melee. The
desperate fighting around the battery was
done by the 9th Ohio and 18th Mo. The
Odd Ohio's half-left wheel was to the rear, fol
they broke and passed over the 18th Mo-, who
were ordered up and forward.
We fired several volfeys and went in Will
the bayonet, and did our full share in turn
ing the rebs back.
While the Johnnies were falling back, yet
IN close musket range, some strange officer
came to our regiment and ordered us to cease
firing. As some of the boys paid no at,en-
ton to his orders. he threatened TO strike
them with his sword. They turned, and the
point OF a bayonct convinced him that he
was in the wrong crowd. Who was he ::
Some of our boys thought it was Col. Fuller,
others that it was some rebel.
| When the 18th Mo. moved forward their
left rested on the battery. What became OF
the 63d Ohio after they broke to the rear
| could not say. The 1l.h Mo-, after they
moved forward, held the front line until we
! started in pursuit next morning
| Gen Rosecrans, in his report, gives the
credit OF the final repulse at Robinett to the
! 18th Mo. and the 9th Ohio. Gen. Rosecrans
rode into the 18th Mo. that evening, and
after announcing our victory and the retreat
of the Johnnes, praised us for our gallant
work at luka on Sept. 10 and for our help i'll
the final repulse OF the rebels at Battery
Robinett know Col. Rogers fell about 20
| yards III front of Robinett just after the lth
| Mo. was ordered forward. JAMES MCNEAL,
First Lieutenant, 11th Mo, Lamborn, Kan.
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