The National tribune., 1900-03-15
THE NATIONAL THURSDAY

Hammer. He had come to Minnesota not
long before enlistment, l think, from Wis.
consin. He had been Lieutenant OF
cavalry in the German army. We We're
watching for the rebel sharpshooters who
We're harassing us, and stood near Ham
mer at the time, but was not looking at
him. Hearing a peculiar sound, perhaps
like a pebble dropped into water, turned
and saw him sink, guivering and help
less. to the ground. 1t was plain that his
had passed directly into the forehead on
line with and between the eyebrows and
come out at the back of the head. The
brain was ooZiug from the wound; but,
strange as it may seem, he lived till toward
morning. His death made a deep I'M
preston on us young men. as We were not
then use to the scenes of blood with which
we later became so familiar.
BEATING THEM BACK.
Shortly after daylight on the morning
of June /, there was another engagement.
1t opened with an advance OF the rebel
skirmisherS Later there was a more
serious attack and much severe fighting,
which ended in the complete repulse of the
enemy at all points.
just what troops We're engaged in the
morning fight l will not try to tell. Por-
tions of the First Division and Second Di-
vision and probably the greater portions of
both divisions were involved. No doubt
other troops also were in the action and for
aught / know may have borne the burden
of the fighting, for we were not one of those
who knew everything that transpired with
in 10 miles of them: Personally l only
know that the heavy firing indicated severe
fighting to our left; but our regiment,
which still held the position taken when
we came on the field, was not seriously
attacked. though the enemy came near
enough for the left wing to get in an effect
i've left-obique fire.
In the return assault of the Union troops
the other regiments OF our brigade took an
active part, and it was not long after the
fighting ceased before we heard of their
good conduct and gallant charge. We
took pride in the words of praise we heard
of them. and have no doubt that comrades
of the Bath N Y, SD n. Y and 18th Mass.
boys gave them when they joined them
that afternoon near the Courtney or Adams
house. We were heartily glad to see them
again and have the brigade united. When
separated from them by the hurried dis
positions of the day before, required by the
emergency of situation, we had regretted
their absence, and that We had gone into
the fight without their support. The old
First Brigade was Il un't and the regiments
had great confidence in each other
Two of our former Colonels, German. of
the First Brigade, and Dana. of the Third
Second Division, Second Corps, and We're
mentioned for their gallantry; also our
then Col. Sully, who rose to be Major
General before the war closed.
After the battle our lines were somewhat
advanced and adjusted TO our new posi-
lion. Then the tactics of Yorktown were
repeated, with variations. Some of these
variations were more extended line and
more fierce and deadly picket fighting
TO take up events Immediately following
the fighting of Sunday, June I, our first
efforts We're 10 care for the wounded and
bury the dead. The wounded were cared
for on the field or sent away on the cars.
The dead were buried in trenches. Dead
horses and other debris Of the battle We're
collected and burned, as, a sanitary meas
ure
Much might be witch of the shocking
scenes Of the battlefield, but refrain from
details. They Impressed us deeply, as we
were not so familiar then with thes great
tragedies of war as we became in later years.
The Union loss. us reported, was 5.031. 8.
killed and wounded. Of this loss 1,1S5
fell upon the two divisions of the Second
Corps. Richardson's. Division losing S3S.
and Sedgewick's. 347. The next work was
the building OF fortifieations, repair of reads
and bridges, getting up supplies, and pre-
pairing for further advance.
TO be continued