The National tribune., 1902-07-31
NEW HOPE CHURCH.

4th Pa. reserves, ID Mapie 81, w "i'h"n'
Mass.
NEW HOPE CHURCH.
The Hand-to-H Hand Struggle Described by
the Picket Who Gave the Alarm.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: On the
morning of May %, 1864, we took po-
sition on a ridge covered with heavy
growth of timber, stacked arms and I'M
mediately received orders to get picks and
shovels and commence to fOrtify. This
order had hardly been given when l and
several others of my company were de-
tailed to go ON picket, duty that was
not always desirable, but on this particu-
lar occasion was preferable to working III
the trenches.
We proceeded between 200 and 3OO
yards south of our line, where we were
stationed, three at post, with lhstruc-
tiOns to keep sharp lookout in front.
The timber and underbrush We're so dense
that we could scarcely see 80 feet i'll any
direction. Our first work was to make
some coffee and eat breakfast, after which
told my two comrades that l would III
t+estigate the country short distance III
front and report i'll Il few minutes. Our
nearest post, right or left, was fully l0O
yards l took my rifle, and proceeding
cautiously, had gone perhaps 600 feet,
when | found that the ridge terminated
abruptly, with numerous spurs extending
out and overlooking Il valley or creek bot
tom / followed one of these spurs to
where it descended with steep bank to
the lowland. When l reached the end of
the spur l was somewhat surprised, as
well as pleased, at my discovery. In
plain view, and not more than 300 yards
south of me, was line Of fOrtihcatiOns,
apparently just constructed. Numerous
heads could be seen moving around be-
hind the works, and Immediately in my
front was q battery of several guns, par
tally covered with brush, to veil its pres
ence and protect the men from the burn
ing sun. At the end of the ridge was a
large chestnut tree, which l stood behind
and viewed the scene.
After some minutes observation l con-
cluded to try shot, as game seemed
plentiful and within range. l rested my
rifle against the side of the tree and took
deliberate aim at one of the cannOns and
fired. / noticed an unusual stir around
that cannon Immediately, and l have no
doubt that if it did no harm, it was gen
tie reminder that there was music in the
air. l put another charge in my rifle,
aimed as before, and fired. While l was
from one of the cannons, and second
later a cannon ball, apparently solid
shot, struck lin the bluff or bank 10 feet
below me, and scattered gravel and mud
all around me, though none hit me, as
was behind the tree. At this juncture
heard one of my comrades calling, and
wanting to know if ! was all right.
fore, and fired. This was followed by
another puff of smoke, and second later
a cannon ball went crashing through the
top of the tree, some 10 feet above me.
and severed huge limb, which in falling
gave me the severest brushing l had had
since my school-boy days. / now believed
that they knew where their enemy was,
and while their first shot was too low,
their second too high, what their third
might be was unknown, and l was de-
batting what l should do, when / noticed
the breastworks swarming with men, who
formed in line outside the works and start
ed on the dOuble-quick for our lines. OF
course i knew what it meant, and yelling
at the. top of my voice for the boys to
run for their lives, as the whole COnfed-
crate army was coming, at the same
time lit out at no lettering pace for a safer
place. At my warning the pickets also
gave the alarm and fled, and their yells
and return set the whole command in con.
fusion and uproar.
When l reached the clearing 1 found
our lines formed behind the incomplete
Notifications, which consisted of ditch
perhaps IS inches deep, with the dirt
thrown to the front or outward
The men were lying, knecing and
standing in the ditch, with arms at aim
so thick that it was utterly impossible to
| force position in the ranks, and at the
same time it would have been folly to re
main outside, as our own shots would
have killed if the rebels failed. To save
myself l jumped on the shoulders of the
comrades and climbed to the rear, where
though safe from my own men, l found
1t impossible to aim my gun without en-
dangering others in front, and thus was
Involuntarily forced to become spectator
| instead of Il cOmbatant.
Nearer came the enemy. We could now
feel the earth tremble under their ap
preaching footsteps.
The rebs were now in sight and rush
ing for our lines. We fired deadly vol
ley from behind the Notifications, which
no array can endure. A few reached the
works and were taken prisoners. During
those brief minutes while the conflict
ragged l perhaps did not see it all, but
plainly saw the struggles where blue and
gray uniforms were pulling and others
hghtlng over the cannons of the 1st Iowa
Battery. The right of the 9th Iowa
joined with the 1O3d III. at the rear OF
the battery, and the two made short work
with the rebs, either capturing or killing
all who did not make hasty retreat to
the underbrush.-W. z. KREMER, 359 w
25th St, New York City, N. Y.