The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-12
ALABAMA CHARGES AS
 IN BRAVE DAYS OF OLD

an immensely superior force and one platoon of Company c was declared by the umpires to be annihilated. l The Montgomery company and the Oxford company were rushed forward. Taking a position behind a rail fence oa the edge of a corn field they joined a battalion of the 7th Virginia, and the | 1st Maine. The advance was made quietly and a force of Browns were | surprised. They retreated in good or- der and joined with several regiments They advanced rapidly, compelling the Blues to retreat to the fence. The Browns in immensely superior numbers advanced to the fence and made an attack on the Alabamians, who were defending the centre. They were re- pulsed. but the right of the line de- tended by the virginians was in dire need. The Montgomery company was hurried to them and came in time to repulse a flank movement. The time for the cessation of hostilities had ar rived and the soldiers were allowed to rest.
 Men Begin to suner. The men began to suffer. All can teens were empty and the excitement of battle having died out the soldiers began to look to their personal conn fort. Three miles they marched in a | scorcihng sun and not until the bivouac was reached did they strike water. Shelter tents were pitched but the l men were without provisions. The | wagon train had been captured by | Brown cavalry and the men had to for | age for food.
 The regiment moved at 6 o'clock Wednesday morning and after a i've l hour march amid continuous skirmish- | ing. reached the main line. Here was a mile and e half of bat tie line. Artillery on both side were pouring a heavy fire. General Grant decided to make his final charge. The Browns were behind a rail fence and were determined to hold the position. | The Alabamians saw regiment after regiment charge. They were as anx- ious to go as a two-year-old trotter. but the Brigadier was not ready to | send them forward. Finally courier rode up and instructed Colonel Price to charge to the fence. The word was hardly spoken when Lieutenant Colo mel Graves with his voice trembling with excitement. yelled: Alabama to the fence" Led by the Montgom- gade charged. The charge was in- spring. Down a hill through an open field of 25o yards the boys ran firing until the rifles were hot
 Charge as of old.
 The Browns ran. The Alabamian could scarcely be held back by the umpires. Cheer after cheer was sent up. snowy haired veteran of the Confederacy ran forward to meet the Alabamians and said: Boys, saw the Alabamians make the same charge over forty years ago."
 The men were fifteen miles from camp The road was terrible. ArNl- lery and cavalry raised the dust to such an extent that marching was practically impossible. Every regi- ment was broken, the men stragglinR along. Cartridges left over from the fight were fired by nearly every com. pany in line.
 One exception was the Montgomery command. Captain Baber requested his men not to fire and they refrained There were no stragglers among the Montgomerians and after the fifteen mile march the company came into camp intact keeping step as If pass ing in review. l Aiabaminn's On Defensive.
 Thursday, the men moved at o'clock and occupied a position on the firing line. acting on the defensive. The Ala bamians remained in trenches through out the day.
 
 instructed to occupy the famous Stone Bridge across Bull Run Creek. On one side of the bridge on an eminence form | ing 8 natural entrenchment the Mont gomerians were stationed with their battalion and on the other side was the 1st battalion. On the left flank was the Texas regiment and on the right the 3rd Battalion of the Alabamas.
 The Browns made an attempt to l tha hrfd hAa oF engineers rushed forward and placed a number of dummy dynamite cartridges under the bridge. When the troops at- tempted to pass the cartridges were ex- ploded and the umpire declared the troops dead.
 | A battery of regular artillery at- tempted to assume a commanding posi- ton. The mounted officers of the reg iment charged the battery as 1t was being unlimbered and succeeded in cap. turing it.
 Four charges were repulsed by the Alabamians and the position would have been successfully defended had not the left flank. guarded by the Tex ans, been turned.
 Regiment in Retreat. The regiment was compelled to retire | at a double quick. The entire Blue line was routed and the Third Battle of Ma. nassas was closed.
 The Alabama camp has been a mag net for the entire brigade. The songs and humor of Al Reynolds, June Pierce and Charlie Young drew regulars and | militiamen to the Alabama headouar- ters.
 Moving into battle Thursday even the stern old Colonel of the 18th was forced to laugh when Al Reynolds and June Pierce sang Tt ain't no disgraoc | to Run When You Is Scared" and Young drew bottle of red ink and profusely dobbed it over his handkerchief. head | and open breast.
 The regiment breaks camp Sunday | morning at reveille and will remain in | Washington Monday. l l.. F. Woodruff.