The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-29
HEROIC SERVICE
OF The FAMOUS
TENTH ALABAMA
BY WILLIAM TAYLOR.

BY WILLIAM iATLOns
While eneamped near Orange, from the
early days of August till the early days
of May, 1s64-a period of nine months
little occurred to disturb the ordinary
routine of soldiers eamp-life. few sal
lies across the Rapidan to meet some
menace of the enemy, and the smart at
fair at Bristol, in October, were the chief
events that interrupted the serenity of
camp-life during this long period of
inactivity.
A Religious Revival.
The Tenth Alabama however, grew
restless under this long repose. The regl-
ment must fight; and as the enemy offer
ed no battle it began an aggressive war
on the Devil For. like the soldiers OF
Cromwell's army, when they could not
fight they prayed. The fight against his
Satanic Majesty was inaugurated by
Chaplain Renfroe, an able divine, a prince
of army ehapains, most courageous
man, and Jealous Christian minister.
Realizing that there remained some 1e-
Gettysburg he began a series of SER
mons encoura ging the soldiers in the
line of patriotic duty sympathizing with,
and comforting them in the hour of their
reverses. The sermons aroused interest.
The attention of the Indifferent ana
the careless became interested. Thus en-
Outraged, the chaplain held frequent and
regul y meetings, and with the assist
ance of others. whom he had inspired
with a similar spirit. he soon had in pro-
gress an old fashioned protractod nett-
ing in camp, characterized by true Chris
tian zeal and purposes.
Scores of soldiers were converted in
these meetings. and numbers were bap-
tlzed in stream near Orange. A faith
full and efficient lieutenant in this evan
gelic work was Sergeant j. Whatey OF
the Tenth, of whom the chaplain haa
said IF the confederate army had been
composed of men like Sergeant Whatley,
the war wouldn't have lasted six weeks
On May 4, 1864, the confederate army
WAS again in motion to meet the federal
army under General Grant. now crossing
to the south side of the Rapidan. The
two days fierce conflict of the 5th and 9Th
soon followed, resulting in the repulse or
the enemy with terrific loss. Wilcox's
old brigade. now in command of Briga-
dier-Genera Abner Perrin, was In the
heat and strife of both days where the
James e. Shelley, maintained its repu-
tation for gallant behavior.
SpottsyIvanIa.
At Spottsylvania on the 18th. the brig
ade made a desperate charge on the enc
my, who by massing and concen-
tratng the fire of an hundred thousand
rifles in a point in the confederate lines
known as "The Salient" had carried ana
occupied that part of our entertainments.
So heavy and concentrated was the fire
of the enemy at this point, that solid oak
trees two feet in diameter were felled by
the constant attrition of rifle balls alone
for not shell or cannon shot had
struck one Of the felled trees.
From this position the enemy was soon
driven back to his own entertainments
and our line restored, but at severe loss
General Perrin fell at the head of his
command a number of enlisted men were
killed and wounded. Among those NOR
tally wounded was Lieutenant Richard
Rogan, a noble and gallant soldier.
Colonel John c. c. Sanders of the
Eleventh Alabama, was in command OF
the brigade. From Spottsylvania, the
movement of both armies continued to-
ward Richmond. Grant moving his left
Hank, in the vain endeaVor to turn Lee 5
right. In rapid succession came the
fights of cold IIarbor, Turkey Ridge ana
other points on the Inc between Spott-
sylvania and James river, in which the
brigade displayed It's accustomed eff
cheney in front OF The enemy
The middle of June vas now at hand
and Grant unable to break Lees line,
his base and was no longer on
the line about which lie had confidently
declared: Il will fight ii out on this line
If 1t takes all summer" lie accordingly,
crossed the James on the 10th. ana i'm
mediately began the siege Of Petersburg
On June Is. Lees army reached the city
and occupied the entertainments In its
defense The Tenth Alabama had Its
place in the defense of Petersburg, from
now on until the siege was abandoned in
the early days of April. 1865. For months
in the beginning of the siege there was
never a day without the rattle of mus
kerry along the line of entrenchments.
AT night the great whizzing shells from
the federal Qualifications enllvened the
scene by their paraboie curves, outlined
by the burning fusees, giving a hand-
some pyrotechnic display and doing little
hurt to the confederates.
The Mine Sprung.
On the morning of July 30 occurred the
eventful springing of the mine by the en-.
envy under a salient on the line of oui
In the confusion fol-
lowing the explosion the enemy obtained
possession. The point was Immediately
retaken by a part of Mahones division.