The National tribune., 1903-08-27
WITH THE
WESTERN ARMY.
fcontinued from fist pag..)

| 1t was not until these forces We're con-
centrated and ready to strike that small
and wholly insufficient reinforcement was
sent to Gen. Stewards support.
Gen. Thomas, stationed near the Fourth
Corps kept earnest watch upon the prog
ress of events. He realized that the hour
was at hand for the Union forces to at
| tack the Confederate line. He had every
| confidence of success.
GEN. STEWART LEARNS OF THE UNION
| ADVANCE.
The activity of the Union forces in
| Gen. Stewards front did not escape his
attention. He observed with interest the
movement of the Fourth Corps and Gen.
Garrard's Division of the Sixteenth Corps
against his main front and the salient
angle of his line-MOntgomery Hill. This
intrenched position in front of which these
| troops were assembling was strong. and
well manned with both artillery and infan-
try, Gen. Loring's Division occupying the
works. Gen. Walthall commanded the
troops south of and to the left of Loring's
Division. He had four brigades, three of
his own division, and Sears's Brigade of
French's Division.
| These troops frOnted west along the
Hillsboro pike, and were posted in the
following order: Searsas Brigade on the
right, connecting with Loring's Division;
Gen. Shelley's Brigade on the left; Rey-
nolds's Brigade on the right center, and
| Quarles's Brigade on the left center The
five redoubts in front of this line were
manned with infantry and artillery, and
| instructed to hold these works at every
| hazard.
During the forenoon Gen. Stewart learn
ed that the Union forces We're advancing
west of the Hillsbaro pike; that Chal-
mers's Cavalry had been met and driven
back. and that Ector's Brigade had been
tn loJ fnrcoJ 70 rntiro fNhaSa facts
led Gen. Stewart to conclude that his part
of the line was about to be attacked by
| largely superior force. He therefore in
formed Gen. Hood of the situation, and
asked for reinforcements Manigault's
and Deas's Brigades of Johnson's Divi-
sion, Lees Corps. were soon withdrawn
from Gen. Lees line and hurried over to
report to Gen. Stewart. Col. Coleman
commanding Ector's Brigade, when driven
from his position on the Hardin pike by
| Hatch's Cavalry. retired eastward, Joined
Walthal!, and was posted on the left of
Shelley's Brigade. The two brigades from
Lees Corps were posted on the left of
Ector's Brigade. and became the left
| flank of the Confederate position.
While these movements Were being ex-
ecutcd the roar of artillery around the
left front of the Confederate position be-
| came almost incessant Gen. Steedman's
cannon on the Union left had awakened
the echoes of the early morning. They
were now answered by the Union batteries
along the whole front.
The artillery of Woods Fourth Corps,
of Smiths Sixteenth Corps and of Viii
sons Cavalry Corps kept up terrific
| fire: the Confederate gunners, however
strained every nerve to answer shot with
shot.
| GEN. WOOD ORDERS ASSAULT ON MONT
GOMERY HILL.
| Gen. Wood now deemed the moment
| favorable for an attack upon the left and
rear of Montgomery Hill. The ascent to
its summit throughout most of its circum-
ference is quite abrupt, and its sides We're
covered with forest trees. As before
stated, the enemy had strong line Of in
trenchments encirclng the hill, and OBJ
structions in front of the works. The cap
ture of this hill was recognized as neces-
sary to the success of the movement
against Gen. Hoods position.
| As Gen. Woods line advanced and
swung to the left, the left of the hill was
brought directly in front of Gen. Beatty
Division. The ascent at this point is more
gradual than at other points in the line,
and was favorable to an assault. Gen.
| Beatty was ordered to detail a brigade to
make the attack. This important duty
was assigned to the Second Brigade, Third
Division, Fourth Corps, commanded by
Col. 2. Sidney Post, of the 59th Ill.
The arrangements for the assault were
soon made by Col. Post. The formation Of
the brigade was not changed. The 41st
Ohio, Col. Kimberly commanding, was in
advance as SIX rmishers; the list Ohio,
Lieut.-Col. Hart, and the 59th ILL.,, Maj.
StOOkey, were in the front line. and the
124th Ohio, Lieut.Col. Pickands, in the
second line. Gen. Beatty directed Col
Streight, commanding the First Brigade of
the Third Division, to support Col. Post.
| The First Brigade was moved to the left
and little to the rear of the Second Bri-
| gade. AT / o'clock Gen. Wood gave the
order to assault; Col. Post repeated the
order to his command and the four regi-
ments moved forward with great rapidity,
the skrmishers well TO the front. This gal
liant brigade with irresistible energy push
ed up the wooded slope, assaulted the
enemy's intrenched position, overcame ali
resistance and carried the works at the
point of the bayonet. The Confederate
forces rapidly withdrew and retreated To
their second line. Col. Post and his bril-
gade pursued the enemy with hot haste
Coming upon a stone fence near the Cor
federate line he formed his brigade,
strengthened this line with earth, and held
his portion of the hill firmly against the
enemy. The First Brigade. while not par
ticipating in the assault and capture Of the
works, CALAMITY supported the Second Bri-
gade.
This is what Gen. Wood says of this
part of the action:
las our troops advanced and swung to
the left, the left of the hill was brought
directly in front of the Third Division of
the corps. This disposition was favorable
to the assault. l ordered Brig. Gen.
Beatty, commanding the Third Division,
to detail brigade to make the attack. The
Second Brigade of the Third Division
commanded by Col. p. Sidney Post, 59th
ILL.,, was selected for the work. The neces-
sary arrangements having been made, a,
p. m. gave the order for the assault
At the command, as sweeps the swift gale
over the ocean, driving every object before
it, so swept the brigade up the wooded
slope, over the enemy's intrenchments; and
the hill was won"
Col. Post led the first assault against
the left flank of the enemy's main works
His troops have the honor of having made
the first breach in the Confederate line
held by Stewards Corps. This successful
attack was witnessed by Gen. Thomas
who was highly pleased with the result
He at once decided to withdraw Gen
Schoield from his position of support of
the Fourth and Sixteenth Corps, and send
him to the right of Gen. Smiths position
|, and issupl an order diroctiur Con Soho