The National tribune., 1904-07-21

oned. At all events lie determined not to
take the responsibility of what he felt sure
would be a costly and fruitless experiment,
without direct and positive orders, and,
therefore, waited in the hope that some
other course would be adopted. But at
noon an officer from Sherman's staff came
to Morgan and said: Il came from Gen
Sherman. and will give you his words. He
said: Tell Morgan that wish him to give
the signal for the assault: that we will
lose 1900 men in taking Nicksburg, and
may as well lose them now" To which
Morgan replied: I'VE will lose the men
but from this position we will not take
Vicksburg" Nevertheless. there was but
one thing to do-obey orders-and Gen.
Morgan gave the order to advance.
The troops were formed in column Of
divisions and massed in the formation
known as double column at half dis
tan is, close column in which
marched forward by its left flank, file
right and the left company, by the right
flank, file left. BY this plan the troops
were condensed into a narrow column to
cross the slashing and the narrow cause
way beyond. but ready to deploy into a
column of division as soon as the open
ground was reached.
DeCcurcy's Brigade was arranged as
follows: First in front the 10th Ohio. then
the ODD Ky, 18th Ind, and 42d Ohio.
which, having been on duty all night, was
by usage entitled TO the reserve. The bri-
gade numbered that day not more than
900 men. Blair's Brigade numbering u
few over 2.OOO. was about 20 rods to our
left. formed in similar order and ready to
advance by route parallel to that of De
Courcy, the two brigades being prepared
to render mutual support.
At a given signal the batteries of Nor
gan and Smith, posted along line of the
first bayou. opened simultaneously, work
ing as rapidly as possible to keep down
the enemy's fire. At the same moment the
two assaulting brigades started forward.
each crossing on its narrow and frail
bridge under the muzzles Of the Union
guns and advancing across the slashed
timber The enemy opened fire instantly,
and swept the whole valley with shells.
shrapnel. canister and mnsketry. March
ing in close order, the men climbed logs
and tore through tree tops; pushing for
ward as best they might The front regi-
ments encountered the most difficulties.
and three times during the passage of the
% rods Of fallen timber the 42d and 54th
had to lie down and wait for the leading
regiments to get forward. During this pa 1T
| of the advance Col. Pardee was struck i'm
the leg by mnsket ball, but it was
partly spent and lodged in his boot. His
brother, Capt. &. X. Pardee received n
ball In the breast. but the missile buried
hoeil III u iIieIHoTaHuuIl DOCK carried III his
pocket. and George, though knocked down
and left for dead, was not seriously hut.
Meanwhile the three leading regiments
had executed the flank march along rhc
bayou and crossed the narrow bridge.
Teaching the solid ground beyond they
deployed in column of divisions and
marched rapidly up the slope The 4od
followed closely: but before it had ad-
vanced 100 yards beyond the bridge. the
leading regiments began to melt away
under the constantly increasing fire. The
proposed point of attack upon the bluff
proved TO he the interior of an arc. or semi
circle. so that as the storming brigade nd
vanced it found itself i'm the center of a
converging fire: the column raked from
batteries and rifle pits directly i'm front. the
dlvls0ns enlladed from either side by can
| non posted at each extremity of the crcs-
cent Bravely and determincdIy the little
column pushed forward. closing up the
| gaps torn III its divisions by the steady and
deadly fire of an enemy now within easy
| range and perfectly protected. When the
| 10th Ohio reached the rifle pits, il had by
that time lost nearly all of its officers. in
Guiding its commander. Lieut.. Col Kersh.
ner. and had been riddlcd until its ranks
had melted nearly half away, broke and
fell back against the ODD Ky.
In a moment the utter hopelessness of
the assault. which had been apparent from,
| the hrsf. Overcame even the discipline of
! that veteran brigade, and the leading regi.
ments were thrown into confusion. The
order was given to retire Hardly a shot
had been fired by the advancing column
The fire which il faced had been so terrible
| that it could not step to fight at such hope
| less odds. As the broken divisions turned
TO retreat. the rebels poured ont of their
trenches and gathered in such of the
Federas as had come too near to escape
The rest. leaving behind the dead and
wounded. retired down the slope and re-
crossed the causeway: the 42d Ohio cover.
ing the retreat i'm good order
On the left, BIair's Brigade had gone