Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-05-16
copyright. 1903, by G. L. Kilmer.1

yer, lnterSperSeQ WITH Q&Qu0g,
Grant was in position to as
spault the main land defenses Of Vicks-
s6urg. Attempts were made May 10
and %, the second being a charge all
along the line.
The army crossed to the east bank of
the Mississippi April 80 and in three
weeks had marched $50 miles, fought
five battles besides numerous Skin
'mishes, taken Lightweight guns from
the enemy and killed, wounded and
captured enough Of his troops to form
an army corps. Vicksburg was sur
rounded and completely cut off from
outside aid, but the Confederate gen.
eral, Johnston, was marching against
Grants rear, only fifty miles away
Elated by the success of their unique
campaign, the Federal troops were
eager to finish it by attacking the
works confronting them.
The attack on the 10Th showed that
to make a stubborn fight at the last
ditch. Every day of delay would make
their chances stronger and regular
Eege would be tedious for the invest
Ing army. In order to prevent the en-
envy massing heavily at particular
points Grant decided to advance his
whole line at given hour.
Sherman held the right Of the line,
which reached the river above Vicks-
burg. In front of his corps stood one Of
the principal forts, square work with
bastions: At the signal to 60 forward
4 storming party of $50 volunteers,
armed with boards and poles to cross
Ebrigades following. Four batteries
which had bombarded the bastion for
some hours then ceased firing and the
parapet was instantly alive with Con-
tederates
A stream of fire flashed along the
works, and many Of the stormers, with
the foremost soldiers following, went
down, but a few reached the parapet
and planted a flag. This column ad-
vanced along road, fifty named Grave
yard road, for at this point it was bar
ricaded with bodies. The line follow
ing the stormers turned from the fear
ful fire which greeted it at the CHASTITY
barricade and sought cover in a ra-
vine. Taking shelter within a stones
throw Of the fort, the troops poured a
Bcathing fire upon the parapet, but
did not advance an inch beyond the ra-
vine. The flag 1oated until nightfall
Just out of reach of the Confederates.
In NIcPlerson's corps, on the left of
Sherman, only two brigades started
at the signal. J. E. Smiths brigade
rushed along the Jackson road toward
the main fort Of that part of the line
until it struck a severe fire, then came
to dead halt Stevenson's brigade
climbed the slope south of the road,
and two regiments reached the ditch of
the fort, where the Seventh Missouri
planted its colors, losing six color bear
ers within a few minutes. Both regi-
ments We're finally driven back by the
p1tiless fire which greeted their bold
charge to shelter 200 yards from the
works
McClernand's corps held the extreme
left on the Baldwin's ferry road and
u.
gade, followed by Burbridge's, charged
along the ferry road upon Fort Beau
regard and planted it's colors on the
parapet, but was beaten back by hand
grenades thrown over into the ditch
Lawler's brigade rushed up the slope
south of the railroad, also aiming for
Fort Beauregard.
LAWYERS column was headed by the
TWenty-secoDd Iowa, commanded by
Colonel W. NJ. Stone. At the sound of
the signal bugles this regiment leaped
over the sheltering crest in full view of
the enemy's marksmen. Silently and
steadily the line moved on through a
murderous fire to within fifty yards of
the rampant losing heavily at every
step. Colonel Stone was shot down,
but Lieutenant Colonel Harvey Ora
ham grasped the flag and with about
1dxty followers crossed the ditch, plant
Ing the flag on the slope Of the walls.
Before the attack McClernand's bat
teries had bombarded Fort Beauregard
and preached a wall in one Of the bas-
lions. BY climbing upon one anoth-
ers shoulders Sergeant Joseph Grit
3ths and a squad Of thirteen men es-
ea1aded the wall, which was twenty
tset high, and crawled in through the
breach. A party Of Wauls Texas
aegion attacked the daring Iowans,
and in a hand to hand struggle five Of
the 1owans were killed and seven
wounded. After a time the sergeant
and Private Urine emerged from the
breach, driving before them thirteen
Texans, who had been disarmed In the
struggle inside.
The heroes Of this gallant deed at
The bastion were John Robb, NJ. L.
clemens, Alvin Drummond, Hezekiah
Ofummond, W. 81. Needham, E. L. An
4erson, Hugh Sinclair, N. c. Messenger,
William Griffin, Allen Cloud, David Jor-
dan and Richard Arthur, besides Grit
4ths and Trine. The two Drummonds,
Anderson, GriRths and Arthur were
Killed. Colonel Graham declared. that
with support at the proper time he
could have captured the fort. He chung
% the ditch and bastion until dark,
~aen he and his party were 7oyerpow-