The National tribune., 1901-06-27


I again, as claim that this assault of Tyn-
dale's Brigade was the opening of that
battle in the early morning of Sept. IL.
Immediately after our fire, the 2Sth Pa,
large full regiment, swung around
through the edge of Eastwood and poured
an entilading volley down that ill-fated
| line of the enemy, still standing behind
that rail fence, and the survivors soon
broke in utter rout, gong down across
! the open space in the direction of bunker
| Church.
As showing how easily it was that
| morning to be mistaken as TO whether a
| line of men in your front were friends or
! foes, | will state that soon after that oc-
currence Gen. Mansfield, our Corps com
mander, was shot down by a line of the
enemy whom he had been mistakenly en-
deavoring to protect from the fire of his
own men, under the belief that that line
of the enemy was some of his own troops.
Upon the flight of those Confederates
Tyndale'S Brigade pushed rapidly down
through the open space in pursuit, with
the three Ohio regiments in the advance,
moving upon the run, following the Con
federates; but where we were to go, and
where we was to stop we did not know.
We knew that we had an enemy on the
run, and were following; the word was
forward, and forward we pushed, passing
on our route many wrecks of q previous
struggle, but whether these were the en-
emys or our own | can not say, and we
then had no time or inclination to de-
| termine; but broken caissons, dead men
and horses lay along our path, but when
we reached Il point in the open space
nearly opposite the little bunker Church,
most terrific artillery fire was opened
upon us from the higher ground beyond
IN the direction of Sharpsburg, and to
move further thus exposed meant destruc-
ton. So L halted those Ohio regiments
at the spot which they had thus chanced
TO have reached and behind a slight swell
OF ground fronting the church, | directed
the men to shelter themselves by lying
down.
On Tyndale coming up with the 2Sth
IA, he formed his brigade with the heroic
determination of holding all that had been
gained, which / believe at that moment
was the most advanced position of the
Union Army.
STANDING AS A STONE WALL.
AS our men were not to be driven back
by that artillery fire, a line of the enemy
was soon formed in the woods about the
church, and out they came with bayonets
fixed, directly for us, to drive us back.
We waited their coming until they were
within close range, when our men, rest
ing upon one knee, gave yolley, and so
destructive was it that the living in that
line broke for shelter into the woods
whence they came.
Seeing this repulse of the Confederate
advance upon us, again were we subjected
to repetition of that artillery fire from
the enemy, and it seemed as if the very
top Of the ridge sheltering our men must
he swept away; but behind this slight
shelter did Tyndale's men still cling and
hold their own.
L well remember, as / sat there on my
horse, in the rear of our line, of hearing
the peculiar shrek of some kind of a Dro-
Jectile as with a thud it larded and burst
right in the midst of the color guard of
the gallant 9th Ohio. Down went their
colors, with the bearer stricken lifeless; the
colorS were down, but only for an instant
however, as other brave men of that
Famous regiment gathered about and
raised them aloft, standing ready to die in
IT'S dcfenSe, as once more that banner
n0ated to the breeze, seemingly more de-
fiant and beautiful than ever.
The artillery fire OF the enemy having
iessened somewhat, out from the woods
about the church came another line of the
enemy, but much stronger and more de-
termined than had been the former one.
Ihey moved steadily and directly for us.
Iyndale sang out Attention. and up
rose Il line of our men as if out of the
ground. Fix bayonets," shouted Crane.
OF the ith, to his men, but the entire bri-
SSNS NbSgNb tHt bIucT, as 1nStlnctlVely
every man felt that that was the thing
to do, and that that was the weapon TO
have in hand; but with that fixed the bri
gade stood ready. On, steadily on, came
that line of the enemy. "Firem shouted
Iyndale. A terrible volley and crash of
lead from his entire. brigade was the reply.
The enemy staggered, halted under the
shock, but stood their ground as only
brave men could. but were seen TO be
slowly falling back, until reinforced, when
forward again they pushed--and the fight
went on in all of its horrors.
In the meantime Gen. George S.
Greene, then commanding our division,
reinforced us by moving some artillery
and taking position upon our left flank
out III the open. AS those artillery men
passed IN our rear upon the run to reach
their place, they shouted to Tyndale's
men, Hold to your place, there, boys,
and we will stand by you while there is
q shot in the locIrar ., uhinh .un.. i......--i-