The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-31

forwards made their famous charge. Sud-
denly five-eighths Of Lees army we're or
dered to the north side of the James river
and met a portion Of Grants army at
Deep Bottom, where we lost some gal
liant men, We heard the explosion at
the Crater, distant about twenty miles.
Nearly all the army was ordered back
to Petersburg, leaving the Texas brigade
and Bennings (Ga.) brigade at Nine Mile
creek, facing James river, about one mile
distant, and Bushrod Johnson's brigade
our right to the river. Altogether our
force numbered about 1900.
My only brother, a boy. had been cap
tured at Wauhatohie In night fight,
was at Camp Morton. indianapolis, and
had written me to send him some money,
saying he was nearly starved his cloth
ing in rags. and without blankets to keep
off the cold of the approaching winter,
Ny sergeants pay of SIS per month in
Confederate money would not purchase
a dollar in greenbacks. and under the
slow strain of anxiety over my brothers
condition I determined that on the next
battlefield I would do what I had never
done, sack a dead enemy-that is, take
his effects. 1 had known of its being
done, but always before had despised the
actor and condemned the act.
This tale is simple history. and those
can condemn who have not been tried In
the fire.
On September %. 1894 Ben Butler, with
an army of 1900, crossed the James and
pushed force directly up the river
yVhprp " only a nj inc nd
other force attacked us. Before day
was out near the river and saw the en-
emy's slxirmish line and heard their
words of command l hurried back and
reported to the general in command, who
directed me to go out again and report
what l could find out Before l could re-
turn from this duty an attack was made
all along the line and a large force
marched between us and Richmond, com
pelling my command to beat a hasty re-
treat from its position. and l never re-
turned to camp again. All my worldly
effects-clothing blankets, everything ex-
cept what | wore, fell into the enemys
hands, 1 was completely sacked, and my
anticipations of booty vanished, and with
the rest Of the command l was speeding
for life at double quick toward the for
tifcations.
About two miles distant was a line of
works, one part of which was called Fort
Harrison. When we emerged from the
woods sand came in sight, there was
brigade of some 5000 blue coats between
us and the fort Like us, they too, had
been at a double quick for a long way,
and were now quietly resting under the
shelter of a little hill, preparatory to
making dash at the fort which, but for
an accident, would have been entirely
without defenders. A working detail of
twenty-five men, under Major Moore of
the Seventeenth Georgia, was passing
near when the enemy came in sight and
he Immediately resolved to fight the over
whelming force. He got a sick artiller-
list to show him how to load a thirty-two
| FOUNDER in the fort, and with this he kept
| up great noise, while the enemy was
advancing through the field in front
Being In light marching order and swift
| OF foot, three of us, who were scouts
| were ahead of the command and came
| up very near the rear of the enemy fir
| Ing into the mass of men, who took very
| little notice of us; there was bigger game
In front of them, and Richmond was al
most within their grasp. But when the
head of our column, well nigh exhausted
with the long run, came near enough to
| cause alarm, the blue coats rose and
| made rush at the fort. The old thirty
two FOUNDER had been double-shotted
with grape as large as walnuts and
when the enemy reached the crest of the
hill, the gallant Moore pulled the lam
yard and the charge tore a lane through
the masses of the enemy. That scene is
pictured on my memory now The can.
non was dismounted by the recoil. The
enemy filled the ditch and climbed up the
parapet of the fort, and | could see our
few, but gallant, fellows striking at them
Wit hA -
few moments the fort was taken and the
attention of the victors was turned tc
the approaching Confederates. l collect.
ed few men, crossed over the thanking
breastworks, and getting behind some log
cabins. which had been winter quarters
Kept up brisk fire ON those in possess
sion of the fort The main body of our
men, still outside the lines of the fortih-
cations, attempted to reach a small sail
ent about one-fourth of mile from Fort
Harrison and part of the same line The
enemy rushed after them and there was
scene such as Is seldom witnessed even
In war. Both sides were almost exhaust
ed with their long run, tongues hanging
out guns empty, one side calling to the
other to halt with great oaths, and the
gray coats refusing to surrender and
swearing back with equal vigor, some
striking at others with their guns or
course, many of our men were cantured
but about eighty of them reached the
small salient, and two pieces of artillery
under the command, as far as 1 could
see of young Virginia corporal-Charlie
was his first name. the other l never
heard-came to our help more gallant
fellow than Corporal Charlie l never
knew. -
The enemy, exhausted, withdrew for a
Time and then reserves began to file into
the fields, in plain view of our position
by the thousands.
In short while they detached q reei-
ment. about 800 strong, to charge orr
position. They advanced gallantly under
the fire of Corporal Charles two guns
and the remnants of our force until with
In $50 yards, when they began to lie down
behind convenient positions such as lose
stumps and other cover Some brave fell
lows came within twenty yards of the
works, and finding themselves unsupport-
co. lay down there. In the spring preyi-
Gus small piece of woods in front of the
tort MAD been cut down and the sprouts
mad put up. and these, covered with
leaves, furnished a cover which concealed
while IT did not protect the assailants
who kept up a brisk fire on our devoted
rev. Every man of Corporal Charles
force was killed, wounded, or had become
demoralized and he had to call on the in
fantry to help him load after the gun had
recoiled from the platform, and to holm
push the gun back to its position. after
which, amid hail of bullets. he would
aim his gun at the ground in front of fine
fort and with hearty cuhses, pull the Ian
YARD. Sometimes we saw caps, pieces of
muskets, clothing and other things av
into the air as the solid shot tore through
a l.