The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-03-26

| in toward the fort by a portion of the
enemy's forces under Early. AT the same
| time was ordered to move 500 men OF
my brigade out to recover the line held
in tile afternoon. This was successfully
accomplished before z o'clock by the 9Stl
Pa, Col. J. +. Bailler; the 102d Pa. Maj
Thomas McLaughlin; and the 139th Pa.
| Capt. James McGregor, which deployed as
skirmishers and drove the enemy's ad
vance back to their main lines. The posi-
| ton was strengthened at dark by the ODD
Pa. Lieut.-Col.- j. S. Long. and the GID
n. Y, Lieut.-CoL T. q. Hamilton, and ex-
tended from point opposite the center OF
the line between Forts Stevens and Reno
to the west and Il point opposite Fort
Slocum on the east. distance of about
two miles. Skirmishing continued through
the night
IN VAIN ALL THE AFTERNOON
of July IL Early tried to find a weak spot
| in the lines. but he was met everywhere
by the fire of fort guns and musketry. The
works lie reported exceedingly strong. con.
sistiDg of what appeared to be inclosed
forts for heavy artillery, with a tier Of
! lower works in front of each, pierced for
an immense number of guns. the whole
being connected by curtains, with bitches
in front and strengthened by palisades and
abatis. The timber had been felled with
ground, making formidable obstacle. and
every possible approach was raked by
artillery. On the right was Rock Creek.
running through deep ravine, which had
been rendered impossible by the Telling of
timber on each side, and beyond were the
works on the Georgetown pike. which had
been reported TO be the strongest of all.
On the left as far as the eye could reach
the works appeared to be of the same i'm
pregnable character.
Early then held a consultation with his
Generals-Breckinridg Rodes, Ramseur
and GOrdon-pointing out the necessity of
action before the fOrds and mountain
passes were closed against them. and in
concluding he announced his purpose of
making an assault at daylight. When on
examining the works on the morning of
July II, Gen. Early saw the parapets lined
with trOOps,f he says that he then deter
mined to
ABANDON THE IDEA OF CAPTURING
WASHINGTON.
A distinguished writer who was at
Brightwood during the battle says:
July II came bright and glorious. The
first brigade of our Second Division and
our sharpsheOters were on picket in front
of Fort Stevens, from the parapet of
which could be seen tile lines of rebel
skirmishers, from whose rifles the white
puffs of smoke rose as they discharged
their pieces at our pickets. The valley
beyond presented scene of SURPRISING
loneliness, with the rich green meadows.
its fields OF waving corn, its orchards and
It's groves.
''The principal force of the enemy
seemed to be in front of Fort Stevens:
there it was determined to give them
battle.
about 5 o'clock in the afternoon Gen.
Wright ordered Gen. Wheaton to drive
back the Confederate skirmish line and
occupy the wooded points near the road.
which, being so near our intrenchments.
gave the enemy advantage of position
thereupon. Col. Bidwell was instructed to
have, the Third Brigade move outside of
the fort and form, under cover of a rayine
and woods southeast of Battle Ground
Cemetery in two lines directly in the rear
of the First Brigade, on the skirmisl line.
Col. Bidwell was also directed to select
three of his best regiments to assist in the
assault, the remaining portion of the brig
abe to be held to support the general
movement.
according TO Gen. Wheaton, the 7th
Me-. tie 43d n. Y. and 10th N. Y. were
skilfull7 placed in position near the skir-
| mish line under the direction of Col. Bid
well without the enemy discovering the
movement.
"a PREcONCERTED SIGNAL
was made by a staff officer, from Fort
| Stevens, when these regiments were in
position. ut which time the batteries from
Forts Stevens and Slocum opened fire
upon certain points held by the enemy.
The assaulting regiments then dashed for
ward, surprising and holly engaging the
| enemy, who was found to be much
stronger than supposed. 1t became nee
| essary to deploy Immediately the three re-
naming regiments-tie 18th n. Y, the
SAT 4 p. M, Gen. Wright wired Gen.
Augnr from Fort Stevens: The head of
my column has nearly reached the 'front.'
lit is said that Gen. Meigs instructed
his Quartermaster's soldiers to make them
selves as conspic~ us as possible on the
parapcts.