The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1905-10-26


ther given that the men should reserve
their fire until upon the rebel works.
Finally the regiments that were to
lead the charge were formed, with bay
onets fixed, in the edge of the woods on
the river bank. All things being in
given by Col. Kinsman, and at once
his noble regiment sprang forward to
the works. The 21st, led on by Col.
Merrill. moved at the same instant, the
18th Wis, Col. Harris, closely follow
ing. Through a terrible fire of mus
kerry from the enemy in front and a
CALLING fire from his sharpshooters on
the right these brave men dashed
bravely on.
"Kinsman fell, dangerously wound
ed, before half the distance was accom-
plished. Struggling to his feet, he stag
gered few PAGES to the front, cheered
forward his men, and fell again, this
time to rise no more. pierced through
by second ball.
"Col. Merrill, the brave commander
Of the 21st Iowa, fell, wounded, early
in the charge, while gallantly leading
his regiment against the enemy.
Immediately Lieut.-Col. Glasgow
and Maj. Van Anda led on the 21st.
Undismayed by the loss of their Col
onels, and by the perfect hail-stOrm of
bullets poured into them with destruc-
tive effect, the men of the 23d and 21st
Iowa and the 11th Wis. pressed onward,
nearer and nearer, to the rebel works,
over the open field. 500 yards, under a
wasting fire, and up to the edge of the
bayou. Hating here only long enough
to pour into the enemy deadly vol
ley, they dashed forward through the
bayou, filled with water, fallen timber
and brush, on to the rebel works with
the shout of victors, driving the enemy
s~~
and rifle-pits, and entering in triumph
the rebel stronghold.
"Hurrying forward the 49th and 69th
Ind. and 22d Iowa, 1 sent the two In
diana regiments to the support of my
left, and ordered the Iowa regiment to
move against the extreme left of the
enemy's works, where they, several
hundred strong, still held out, while the
11th Wis. was directed to occupy the
ground between the enemy and the
bridge, and thus cut off their retreat
The movement was successful. The
rebels broke and fed before the 22d
Iowa, and fell an easy prey into the
hands of the 18th Wis Those of the
rebels who were not captured hastened
to make good their retreat over the
bridge. AS the result OF this success
full charge we may with justice claim
that 1t gave our army entire possession
of the enemy's extended line Of works.
and with them their field artillery (18
pieces in alD, a large quantity of am
thousands of small-arms and
5000 prisoners.
by our brigade were captured
1 ,460 small-arms. several hundred ac-
chiefly collected by the
18th Wis, 1,120 prisoners, and four
stand Of colors.
1T is perhaps worthy of remark
that more men were captured by my
brigade than / had men in the charge;
but this brilliant success was not ac-
without considerable loss;
II killed and 1S5 wounded in the
space of three minutes, the time Occu-
pied in reaching the enemy's works,
attest the severity OF the fire to which
my men were subjected"
A wild Rout.
The. success Of this daring charge
was clearly seen on both Sides and i'm
followed by a wild rout of
the Confederates. A. ]. Smiths Divi-
sion was just coming up on Osterhauss s
left, and at once rushed forward to take
advantage Of the break. Vaughn's Bri-
gade, in the center, saw that they were
cut off from the bridge, and abandon
ing all thought Of defense, turned and
rushed wildly for ii. It's example was
followed by all the Confederate troops
In a most precipitate flight, where every
man was for himself. They abandoned
Is pieces Of artillery and over 1400
Before two-thirds OF the
enemy had been able to get across the
bridges these We're fired. Maj. Lockett,
the Confederate Engineer, had pre-
pared for their destruction only too