The National tribune., 1904-09-29
GEN. STANDARDS REPORT.

conspicuous for their gallantry
GEN. STANDARDS REPORT.
An Early Morning March.
In pursuance to verbal orders received
from Maj, Cen. Ord, commanding the
corps, this division moved from it's late
camp, on the line between the Appomattox
and James rivers, at 8 p. m. on the night
of the 18th of September, and marched,
without noise, in the direction of Aiken's
Landing, on the James River. At a. m.
on the 10Th, in obedience to written orders
received at that hour, the division, with
Brighten. Burnham's (Second) Brigade
leading, crossed the James River near
Aiken's on pontoon bridge, and taking
the road to the left moved in the drec-
ton of the enemy's works at Chaffns
farm. Previous to breaking camp on the
night Of the 18th, two regiments of in
fantry, forming part. of Brig. Gen. Burn
hams Brigade, had, under order to that
effect, exchanged the arms heretofore in
use for the Spencer 6 5epesting rife These
by Col NJ. It. Donohoe, and the 18th
n. Y, by Iieuf.Col. Nichols) were at
once, on reaching the north bank of the
river. thrown, out as skirmishers and flank
ers, the whole line being under command
of the senior officers above named. The
remainder Of :, the command, having been
disposed in column by division, at once
moved forward Jpn the road running
parallel to the course of the river. and at
few moments TIER daybreak encountered
the enemy's psckefs, which were driven in
on the run. After pushing them back on
their reserveSdi we continued to drive them
at a. brisk Tpt through dense woods for
distance of i've pr three miles, with few
casualties on ppr7side,s when, we emerged,
ing from the woods, Brig Gen.. Burnham
repnrted to me a strong line Of earthworks
in his front. mounting heavy guns, which
/ at once directed him to carry by as
sault i NV First Brigade, commanded By
Col. A. F. Stevens, 18th n. Fl. ", was
on my left, and my Third Brigade. COM
manded by Col. s. H. Roberts. 139th N.
umn by division. and within easy support
ing distance. These l Immediately push
ed forward to the support Of Gen. Burn
ham. whose two remaining regiments
moved directly IN the road. The enemy
now opened furiously from powerful
battery situated at the crest Of the hill
in my front and from other guns mounted
in smaller redoubts situated at various
points along the line Of works which ex-
tended on the enemy's right to the river
THE DIRECT ASSAULT.
The column here left the road, and, in
Ginning to the left. moved directly across
a heavy plowed field toward the principal
work. The distance was about 400 yards
and while traversing this space my COM
mand, with the exception of my skirmish-
ers, not having as yet discharged musket,
was exposed to plunging fire of artillery
and musketry, CALLING in the extreme, and
caused them to become somewhat broken.
The column, however. pushed CALAMITY
forward until it reached the base of the
hill upon which the battery was situated,
when it came to halt, from sheer exhaus-
ton. The enemy were now moving up
from their left considerable reenforcements,
and fearing that the assault would fail
| by reason Of the delay, sent Capt. Kent
| Acting Assistant Adjutant-G General of the
division, to move the column at once to
the assault. 1t was owing to his efforts,
and. he reports, to the assistance of Col.
Donohoe, that q few moments later. the
| head of the column CALAMITY mounted the
parapet of Battery Harrison, drove the
enemy from his guns, and planted the
"Stars and Stripes" on one of its massive
traverses. Our captures included 16
pieces of artillery of various calibers and
about 50 prisoners, including Lieutenant
Colonel in command of the works NV
| loss in officers and men was quite heavy.
| Capt. ID. G. Xix, S1st n. Y. very mer-
torious young officer. was killed just pre-
vious to emerging upon the open ground
The column had scarcely entered the works
when the brave Brighten. Burnham was
mortally wounded. by musket-ball, in the
bowels. He survived but few moments
During the events of the morning l had
lost from my staff Capt. NJ B. Bessey,
25th Mass, and Acting Assistant Inspec-
L. N. Converge. I'D N. H., and Assistant
Provost Marshal, Npusket ball in mouth.
and Lieut. M ~ Ladd, Soth N. H..
Il. cLEAR1NGiuUT THE rLANKs.
Moving with my Second Brigade, now
commanded byg Cpl. NJ. T. Donoaoe, and
my Third Brigads, commanded by Col. T..
Nj. Cullen, 96tA n. y. (Col. Roberts hav-
| ing been relieved on account of severe
illness), we drove'ithe enemy successfully
from two luhets fschich were thrown out
| from their main khe of works at intervals
of about G0Bdyafds, and compelled him
to retire to his third and last remaining
defense in this. live of works. My First
Brigade, meanwhile, now under the COM
N. Y. Col. Steye$s having been severely
wounded 10 theslef while leading his bri-
gade in the assault and ! would here re-.
specially recommend that this officer be
promoted for btavery and efficiency on
the battleheld), remained in the captured
"oTA, theo"ins out StfOng line or Sklfm-
ishers toward the enemy's inner line of
works, and to which his main body had
retreated: The work which the enemy
t'now held In his first line was situated d.
rectly. on the river bank, and was covered
by the FIRE Of one of his gunboats, as well
as by a field battery so stationed ais to be
able to take the work in reverse should If
be captured. The work itself mounted
three heavy. guns, and in. view Of the
serious loss which must follow an ATTEMPT
to disl0dge the party holding it. and the
impossibility of holding it when captured.
withdrew my troops The enemy. see
i ing the mnvamenf sshinh oao,,..aI 80. l.