The National tribune., 1904-06-16

prepared to take it, probably not anticipat-
ing much resistance. But Gen. Thomas
was there before him. and with more than
equal energy and determination was gather
ing and posting for its defense all the
troops. organized and fragmentary. that
could be found. not engaged elsewhere.
The Union army commander. two of the
three corps commanders, four of the 10
division commanders. and broken brigades,
regiments. stragglers and skulkers unnum-
bered, with artillery, ammunition wagons
and ambulances. had drifted or been swept
from the field. passing through McFarland's
Gap and behind Mission Ridge. were max
withdrawal for Thomas and that part of
the army that remained with him was now
only possible by keeping Longstreet and his
army south of Snodgrass Ridge until night.
As our I'd Minn. moved up to the crest OF
the ridge we found there the Dist Ohio. a
tine. large regiment, armed with six-sham-
bered revolving rifles. Upon our appear
anee they Immediately asked TO be relieved.
claiming to be out of ammunition. We
had been unable TO replenish at or after
Kelly's Field. and had only l. or 20 rounds
in our cartridge boxes, but we took their
place. and they retired down the slope to
the rear. An hour later we heard that
they had got ammunition from Granger,
and. with the S,th Ohio and the 22d Mich.
attached temporarily to Whitaker, had
taken places on the right of our brigade.
LoNGsTIEET REFUSED THREE TINES.
Longstreet had vainly assaulted the ridge
before our arrival, and within 80 minutes
thereafter lie made two more unsuccessful
attacks with the troops he had nearest at
hand. Meantime, Gen. Granger had ar
rived with two fresh Union brigades under
Whitaker and Mitchell. Gen. j. Il. Steed-
man commanding the division.
FIGHTING FOR TIE CREST.
They had come from McAfee's Church,
two miles east from ltossville, and for a
mile or more had marched through a cloud
of Confederate skirmishers straight TO the
sound of our guns. Granger had orders
10 aid Thomas. and seemed to know where
and how to find him. Never were reinforce
orderd them TO the crest of the ridge on
our right. which the enemy had found TO be
vacant and had in fact just occupied; so
that Steedman's Brigades had to assault
and drive the enemy off, thus accomplishing
with desperate fighting and heavy loss JUST
what the enemy had attempted and failed
10 do in our immediate front. The firing
was terrific while this was being done. and
We were much relieved when we heard that
Steedman had gained the ridge. He had
brought some ammunition with his column
and we got a few rounds. of which we We're
III Hceu. from HIS wagons.
the intervals between the enemy's assaults
we had robbed the boxes of the dead and
wounded-t Mon and Confederate alike
and had carefully avoided waste, but we
were nearly destitute when Granger's wag-
Ons arrived.
REPULsE FRESH TROOPS IN SUPERIOR NUM-
BERS.
1t had become plain to both commanders
that here was to be the supreme contest
for the field. and LOngstreet now marshalled
the veteran divisions of kershaw, Hindman n
and johnson, and sent them in to take the
ridge Each of their successive and re-
loss finally, at 4 30. Preston's Division,
which had not been previously engaged
az all on either day, was lined up at the
foot of the southern slope, and with courage
and enthusiasm stimulated to the utmost.
advanced to their fate-Gracie's Brigade
in front of Van Derveer's and Trigg and
Nelly against the troops on our right.
The slope in front was now well
cleared Of underbrush and We could see the
grey legs of the front line, as in regular
step. they crossed the road at the foot and
commenced the ascent. a second line follow
ing. each containing more meu than were
in the thin, single line of defenders. Don't
waste any cartridges now. boys" was the
only instruction given tand this was quite
unnecessary as our line commenced falling
and the men in gray commenced falling
but they seemed TO bow their heads to the
storm of bullets. and picking their way
among and over their fallen comrades, who
already encountered the slope by hundreds
/ they came braveiy and steadily on as. how
ever. they approached nearer. and the firing
| in their faces grew hotter and more deadly
| they seemed TO lose the assuring touch OF
elbows. and, as the vacancies rapidly in
creased, they began to hesitate. Now
We've got em: see 'em wabble," were the
| first words that passed in our lines since
the firing had begun; then they halted and
commenced firing wildly into the tree tops
then turned and rushed madly down the
slope. carrying the second line with them
This was substantially the story of the
preceding assaults which. at intervals of
20 or 80 minutes, had been met and re-
pulsed during the past two hours. Each
assaulting brigade had made two, and some
of them three, such attempts.)
/ PERSISTENT FOE.
| Gracie's Brigade was promptly reformed
and advanced again this time 0aftin0 en