The National tribune., 1902-08-21

There were no roads or paths through
the tangled woods or over the creek and
its swampy bottoms.
Harkcr and Wagner. on the left, on
foot, led their men. They ascended the
hill, encountered the Confederate skir-
mishers and drove them before them.
They advanced close up under the main
works of the enemy, but were unable to
pass over the impediments and scale the
wall forward and advanced ON the left of
Wagner.
Mitchell and McCook. with regimental
front in FIVE lines, rushed forward toward
the salient angle of the enemys works.
They encountered terrific fire from the
many guns which had been mounted by
the e,ieiiIy for the defense of their posi-
tion. IFlre nitiskefry' fire from the skir-
mishers and. In;iin' Iine was continuous,
but these dangers seemed to stimulate the
energy and daring of these men. The as
sanlting columns pushed through and
over every obstruction. The regimental
lines We're so close that the men of the
different regiments pushing on soon be-
came a mass of struggling humanity bent
upon Il single purpose, namely, scaling
the enemy's works. Col. McC0Ok, com
mander of his brigade, pushed forward
from the rear into the midst of the NOV
ing column. He cbeered his men on
ward.
Gen. Harker led his meh a second time
to the assault, and was killed close up to
the works. The command of the brigade
devolved upon Col. Luther p. Bradley,
51st Ill.
Wagner and his men made repeated ef-
forts to reach the enemy's fortifications
but the Obstructions in front of them and
the terrific fire from their lines was too
much for them to overcome; they fell
back to the shelter of ravine and de-
ployed into line. Gen. Kimball was then
ordered forward upon Wagner's left; the
two brigades now advanced together to
made a final attempt to carry the en-
emy's works. but they were received with
such terrific fire that they were forced
to fall back. kimball. Wagner and Brad
ley Withdrew their men from the face Of
the mountain to the reserve line under
| the pressure of deadly fire which they
could not effectively return.
Mitchell and McCook led their men up
to the enemy's works. The distractions
encountered here were not so great, but
the Confederate Notifications We're heavy
and well manned. McCOOk had now
reached the front of his column, sword in
hand: he mounted the enemy's works: he
called upon his men to follow. Instantly
he fell, mortally wounded. Col. Oscar
+. Harmon, 125th H.. at once assumed
command, urged the fight, and was in
stantly killed. The command now de-
v0lved upon Col Caleb j. DilwOrth, S5th
Ill.
A number of Mitchelrs men mounted
the works, but were either killed or cap
tured. The Confederate troops fought
with great courage and energy; they had
the advantage Of n defensible position
well fortified. and were able to hold it
against all comers.
The sd Ohio. at first at the rear of
McCook's column. had in the struggle up
the mountain pushed forward, and was
~. Il
gades had sustained terrible losses, their
spirits were unbroken. Mitchell and Dill
worth decided TO hold their .;round at
every hazard. They retired their bri-
gades a few PAGES from the enemy's works,
established a firing line, and there the
men. prone upon the ground. set them
| selves the desperate task of keeping up
the fight and at the same time construct
ing line of works. While some of the
men with their bay0nets. tin pans and
hands tore up the ground and threw it
forward TO make an embankment. others
in their rear kept so steady fire over
and under the headlOgs of the enemy's
parapet that the boldcst Confederate
found it dangerous to attempt to fire
| npon these courageous and desperate men.
Every officer and soldier exerted his en-
ergy in the defense and Strengthening Of
the position.
Night came on. Intrenching tools were
brought forward, food and water were
supplied, and Gen. Davis visited the line.
He found the men undismayed by their
losses and their danger and determined
to hold their position. McCoOk's Brigade
had intrenched q PAGES and Mitchelrs
Brigade 80 PAGES in front Of the rebel
works.
From these positions the enemy was
unable to dislodge these heroic men. The
effort to carry the enemy's works had
signally failed. The loss in the eight bri-
gades that made the attempt was nearly
1000 in killed and wounded. but Gen.
Giles A. Smith and Gen. Walcutt, on the