The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-03-01

alignment and, very likely, never reach
the breastworks. I moreover ordered
them not only to keep together. but
also in line, and announced to them
that l would lead them in the charge.
| Forward march was sounded, and we
moved at rapid, but not double
| quick pace. Meantime. my regiments
on the left had advanced some distance
! to the front through the wood and
swamp.
| The DeSpeate Fighting mt Gaines's Mill.
Onward we marched under a con-
sfantly-increasing shower of shot and
shell, whilst to our right could be seen
some OF our troops making their way
| to the rear, and others lying down be-
| meath calling fire. Our ranks were
| thinned at almost every step forward,
and proportionately to the growing
fury of the storm Of projectiles. Soon
we attained the crest of the bald ridge
within about $50 yards Of the breast
| works. Here was concentrated upon
us, from batteries in front and flank,
a fire Of shell and canister. which
plowed through our ranks with deadly
effect. Already the gallant Col. Mar
shall. together with many other brave
| men. had fallen victims in this bloody
onset. AT a quickened pace we con-
tinued to advance, without firing shot,
down the slope, over a body of our SOL
dters lying on the ground, to and
across Powhite Creek, when, amid the
fearful roar Of musketry and artillery,
| l gave the order to fix bayonets and
charge. With ringing shout we DASH
ed up the steep hill, through the abatis
and over the breastworks. upon the very
heads of the enemy. The Federals
panic-stricken, rushed preciptately to
the rear upon the infantry in support
Of the artillery; suddenly the whole
Joined in the flight toward the valley
beyond. At this juncture some 20 guns,
stationed in rear of the Federal line on
| hill to my left, opened fire upon the
4th Texas. which changed front, and
charged in their direction. I halted in
| an orchard beyond the works, and dis
patched every officer Of my staff to the
main portion of the brigade in the wood
on the left. instructing them to bear
| the glad tidings that the 4th Texas had
pierced the enemy's line, and were
moving in his rear. and to deliver or
ders to push forward with utmost
haste. AT the same moment / discov-
cred Federal brigade marching up
| the slope from the valley beyond, evil
IDENTIFY with the purpose to re-establish
the line. I ran back to the intrench-
ments, appealed to some of our troops,
who. by this time, had advanced to the
breastWOrkS, to come forward and
drive off this small body of Federals
They remained, however, motionless.
Jenkins's command, if 1 mistake not,
WHICH WAS Iurtner TO our right, boldly
advanced and put this brigade to rout.
Meantime the long line of blue and
steel to the right and left wavered,
and, finally, gave way, as the 18th Ga.
the 1st and 5th Texas, and Hampton's
Legion gaflantly moved forward from
right to left, thus completing a grand
left wheel of the brigade into the very
heart of the enemy. simultaneously
with this movement burst forth a
tumultuous shout of victory, which was
taken up along the whole Confederate
line.
! mounted my horse, rode forward,
and found the 4th Texas and 18th Ca
had captured IA pieces of artillery,
whilst the 5th Texas had charge of
Federal regiment which had surrend-