The National tribune., 1900-03-22
the brigade on account of the sickness of

the brigade on account of the sickness of
Gen. w. A. German.
As we came up to the woods some one in
dulged i'll a yell just to clear his throat,
| from the woods, and we gave q vigorous
cheer as our skirmishers began to work their
way into the woods, tangled underground
Of laurel and swamp huckleberry. The
| skirmisher5 had not penetrated hundred
yards into the wood before they came in
contact with the enemy.
The rapid firing and vociferous yelling
notified us of the close proximity of the
| enemy.
Our skirmishers came quickly out of the
woods. The brush completely hid the
enemy from view. but as the bullets came
with vicious, spiteful force, it was sufficient
evidence that they were in easy range; so,
in the poetical language of Capt. Davis,
we leveled our rifles into the woods and
"blaZed away" The enemy came on, yelling
| and firing, and we answered with shot and
cheer TO the best of our ability. 1t was a
redhot fight i'll short meter. The regi-
ment on our immediate right began 10
yield slowly othe furious onset, and finally
| backed down the slope into the hollow.
They were i'll the open, and the fire was
terrific, and never could find it in my heart
| To blame them. The sharp, penetrating
voice Of Lieut.. Col. Miller rang out, saying:
| minnesota. stand firm! Don't run.
minnesota" 1t was more of an entreaty
than a command, but it answered. We
| had lots of State pride, and certainly be-
| lieye that Minnesota" was the magic word
| that encouraged us to stand and face that
terrible storm Of bullets and shell that swept
| our line.
| Once or twice a cheer, that sounded faint
and far-off in the confusion of the fighting.
was heard behind us, but i'll hasty glance
| Ill that direction, nothing could be seen
through the smoke and gathering dark,
ness, save the lurid flash of our batteries
| which were still throwing shells over oui
! heads and over the heads OF the rebels too
| The rebels came into the open OH our right
and enVeloped US frontland flank with q
deadly fire. 1t was already too late to retreat
and we We're i'll a fair way to be annihilated
HELP AT HAND.
But, hark! That cheering was heard
once more; close behind us, too-a good
open mouthed, ringing hurrah. No music
ever sounded Sweeter or more melodious
| than that welcome, defiant cheering to our
| battle-Stunned ears. ~
| I'VE are with you, Minnesota!
The ever-reliable 18TH Mass. came on;
crowding to the front and extending to the
| right, they emptied their rifles in the face
of our enemies, who were furnishing us SO
severely.
right, now turned back aud their whole line
rctrcated into the woods as rapidly as they
had come out.
There, on the smoking field, with the wild
| refrain of the battle still ringing in their
ears, the boys from Minnesota and Massa-
| good old Union hurrah. There had
always been pleasant comradeship between
the two regiments; henceforth 1--WE were
| brothers.
1t was now quite dark, and the enemy
| left US In undisturbed possession of the
carried our wounded to the field hospital,
| and, as there was no transportation, Sur
geons and attendants were left to care for
them. OF course, they fell into the hands
OF the enemy. This was one of the cruel
| fortunes Of war.
The loss Of the regiment was, believe,
| about SO men killed and wounded. Co. l.,
| the right company, lost two Corporals
killed--Ferris johnson and Martin Wilman
land Is men wounded One Of the wound