The National tribune., 1906-01-18

the left to indicate that Sherman was
carrying out his part OF the program
The attack halted for a little because
Of the exhaustion of the men, and Gen
Dwight decided to create a diversion
and develop the strength of the Con-
federates on their extreme left toward
! the river. He ordered Col. Nelson to
move forward with his two colored reg
iments against part of the Confeder-
ate line on the crest Of steep bluff
This bluff overlooked the low ground
by the sugar-hOusS where the Tele-
graph road crossed Fosters Creek, and
was detached ridge about 400 yards
long held by six companies OF the 39th
Miss. under Col. w. ID. Shelby, sup
ported in the rear by six field pieces
and still farther back by a siege bat
terry Of eight and 10-inch guns. The
bridge across the creek had been
burned, and the position was that OF
natural fort with a ditch in front
| making an exceedingly difficult place to
attack. A little after o'clock Lieut.
Col. Bassett led forward the 1st La
Native Guards to force the crossing OF
the creek, and for the first time negro
troops We're to show their quality in
| one OF the most trying experiences that
can come to soldiers AS the head OF
| the column neared the creek the Con-
federates opened fire from the rife
pits on the bluff, and were followed by
| the field guns with shell and shrapnel
The negroes pushed forward, and pres
emily became exposed to an enfilade
fire from the columbiads. In spite OF
TINS the coiored men advanced until
| they came to within 200 yards Of the
crest, when suddenly every cannon
opened upon them with canister and
tore their ranks to fragments This
| was more than flesh and blood could
stand. and they ran in disorder for
| shelter, but were quickly and easily re-
| formed near the sugar-house and
the attack. but no orders came II
the brief assault the 1st La. Native
| Guards lost two officers and "a mer
| killed and 79 wounded, 105 in all.
The Sd La. Native Guards, which had
| been less exposed, lost six killed and
one wounded.
sherman's Astounding Delay.
| 1t had now got to be 10 o'clock, and
the battle was nearly four hours old
Grover, Paine and Weitzel stopped
| awhile TO listen for sounds of Sher.
mans attack to guide them in their fu-
ture operations, but they heard moth.
1 ing except the steady crash Of the ar.
| tillery. They had as yet gained but lit.
tie accurate knowledge Of the Confed.
crate works in their front or the force
/ by which they were manned Weitze
X
| nianders had suffered only less so TheS
could only guess what was before then
by what they had already encountered
and this evidence was very conflicting
and confusing. Gen. Weitzei though
that he might skirmish forward ant
possibly gain a foothold on the higl
ground in his front. and perhaps secur,
a decided advantage. On the othel
hand he might run into trap from
which he could not escape. Gen. Grov
er, who had been ordered TO supper
either the right or the left or make
direct front attack. as circumstance:
might indicate, found nothing to d. o,
his left, no promising opening in hi
front and, therefore, rode over to Sc.
what Weitzel was doing. The two com
manders held brief council, i'm which
Grover counciled prudence, and he ane
WeitZel decided to halt and wait fo
fresh orders. or to hear some evidences
of the battle on their left.
i All this time Gen. Augur had his mer
under arms ready to move and wait
ing for orders from Banks to go I'm
Banks, who vas near at hand, was lis
tsning with painful tenseness for tn,
sound of Sherman's attack on the left
No such welcome tumult reached hi
ears, and about noon Banks started of
for Shermans headquarters to learn thu