The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-27

On June 2, 1864 the Army of Northern
Virginia, hardly $4,000 men under Lee.
confronted the Army of the Potomac,
swollen by reinforcements to 10000 un-
der Meade and Grant, on a line extend
ing northward six or eight miles from
the Chickahominy river, ard passing be-
tween Gaines Mill and Old Cold Harbor.
Lee faced to the east, his right resting
on that stream, his line extending
through woods and fields in succession,
being much of it in front of sluggish
and Doggy stream, with here and there
high hanks, passable only on causeways
or bridges, Grant faced TO the west, and
his line lay largely through woods and
thickets, which concealed everything,
armies, as HAD become usual, had COW
cred then selves by entertainments; and.
at many points were very near to each
other.
On the evening of the second of June,
Laws Brigade, composed of the Fourth,
Fifteenth. Forty -fourth, Forty-seventh,
and Forty-eighth Alabama Regiments,
not exceeding in number 1,250 men, was
moved from the left Of our line to near
It's TlBHl ttnltfs dDOul tart VI 1dlhcS
Mill. Arriving there late in the day, Cen
eral Law found himself placed behind
works located on the farther edge Of an
open field, and for several hundred yards
elinging closely, in a projecting
curve, to a dense pine thicket, through
which it was impossible to see line
of men fifty yards in front of them. He
saw the trap at once, and the probable
ity-which was partly to be faet-of
the invisible and secret massing of an
overwhelming force behind the thickets
just in front of him, and their running
over ard crushing him by mere weight
of numbers, as had happened to others
at the Spottsylvana salient. just three
weeks before. There was time only for
work; and ne wisely took the RESPONSE
bl,ity of constructing and withdrawing
to a new line on the nearer side of the
field, in Its center $50 or 400 yards to
the rear which would be concave or re-
entrant, with the clearing in front maxi
ing a turprise and rush impossible, and
giving fair sweep for the fire of his mus
kerry, and of the batteries on his tanks,
which would have been almost useless
had the cid line been retained and as
saulted
10 accomplish this hazardous but nee
essary change of position, at the same
time keeping the enemy in ignorance of
1t, as was absolutely essential to its sue
cess, required Of both officers and men
skill, discipline and soldierIy qualities of
the highest oreer. 1t WAS done TO per-
lection.
While daylight lasted, everything APP
peared to indicate settled purpose to
hold the faulty line to the last. Pickets
were increased and thrown as far as
could be to the front, charged to tho
utmost vigilance and resistance, and in
structed TO screen themselves from the
fire OF the liae behind them, which WIS
ordered TO be noisy ana spiteful. As
soon as darkness closed in, so that it
could be done unseen. the larger part of
the brigade quietly withdrew to the new
line selected, leaving a heavy detaeh-
ment to mar the oil works, with orders
to maintain q close watch and open a
fusilade on every doubtful appearance
or sound ana to be as noisy as possible
all the time, so as to cover and conceal
the work going on in their rear on the
new line. All this was done.
Meanwhile the body of the brigade,
with their arms in easy reach, were sill
ct as shadows, but toiling as men rare
ly ever tcled in throwing up their new
line A few spades and picks, what bay
onets The men Lad not lost" sharpened
tails aad poles, frying-pans, skillcts and
camp kettles, everything that could help
to dig or move the light soil, came into
vigorous and constant use, and SO effect
lively that an hour before daylight a
breast-work several hundred yards IN
length. proof against field artillery, Of
proper height for Infantry fire ard pro-
lection, with timber backing of fence
rails, and in its rear a banquctte and
ench, where loading and firing could
be done in great safety, connected with
the works of the general line to the right
and left, completing IT. exclusive Of the
condemned line in front. The new line
thus finished, the piclxets and detaoh-
ment in the old works We're noiselessly
drawn in; and all, except the necessary
watch, were told 10 rest and sleep. a
duty to which they required no second
call; and they sank at once to the
ground. end into the slumbers Of the
wearied brave.
As General Lew had suspected during
the night, Grant had massed The corps
of Hancock. his best subordinate, and
other troops, in the dense growth In
front of our old line, hoping doubtless
for a repetition of the surprise and rush
on the salient held by the unwary John
son and the Vlrgnians on the 18th of
May, 1864. Forming silently and out of
sight, they waited for the signal to make