The National tribune., 1908-02-06

guns were set to work to breach the
forlorn hope. In this work Randof:
Battery, the 1st U. S. Art, and Hazards
list r. L. Art, particularly distinguished
themselves. Hazards Battery was ad
vanced to within about 500 yards OF
the enemy's line, where it poured in .
storm of fire only possible to such q
gallant and highly-drilled organization
This artillery fire was continued until
| near sunset, when it had to stop to
permit the charge of Humphreys Di-
vision, which had been ordered.
Humphreys and His PennsyIvanians As.
SAINT.
The splendid gallantry of the divi-
sions which had previously assaulted
the iron determination with which they
had pushed their attacks so far in the
face of crimson slaughter, did not sur
pass in any way the magnificent cour-
age and resolution of Humphreys at
tack with his Pennsylvania Division.
Brighten. Andrew A Humphreys
was such soldier as would give luster
to any army, and he illustrated the
very best in the American officer and
gentleman. A tall, slender, highly-or-
ganiZed man. he had that exalted in
trepidity which accompanies such a
SCISSORS far beyond the attachments of
ordinary men of coarser fiber and mere
physical courage. He was one of the
most accomplished soldiers in the old
Regular Army, had graduated from
West Point in the first rank, and was
commissioned in the Engineers, in
which ne achieved fine reputation for
ability and devotion to his profession.
He was essentially scholarly man, and
hi loft ha
scientific men. He was an active men,
Der of several philosophical and scien-
tific societies in this country, and his
researches and attachments had brought
him honorary membership in the most
distinguished foreign societies. He was
born and bred a Pennsylvania, was
proud of his State and of his division
of Pennsylvanisens. He was afterward to
become Adjutant- General of the Army
of the Potomac and Chief of Staff to
Gen. Meade. His division was about
$500 strong, and comprised two bri-
gades. The First Brigade, commanded
by Brig.-Gen. Erastus b. Tyler, was
formed of the 91st, 12Sth, 129th and
134th Pa. The Second Brigade. COM
manded by Col. Allabach, consisted of
the 123d. 131st, 1880 and 155th Pa.
The division had lain in the vicinity
of the Phillips House until 2:30, when
river. 1t was led by Allabach's Second
Brigade, and Gen. Humphreys accom-
panied it. He found the troops who had
attacked before him slightly sheltered by
a small rise in the ground, and about
$50 yards from the, stone wall So
thick was the smoke that Gen. Hum
phreys could not get a clear perception
of the work before him until he reached
the front held by the remnants of the
in his division We're mostly new men,
who had come out under the second
call, mainly in August previous.
When Allabach'S men reached the
front they found the veterans lying
on the ground, completely convinced
of the absolute hopelessness of the as
sault. who implored them to save them
selves from needless slaughter by fol-
lowing their example. In spite of all
efforts, the men did this, and Joined
the rest in the fire upon the enemy
behind the stone wall.
Gen. Humphreys took a hasty sur
yey of the position thru the riffs in the
battle smoke. and came to the conclu-
sion that their only hope lay in rush
with the bayonet. He had ridden for
ward with his division and his staff
was also mounted. but the fire from
the nights soon killed or disabled every
when he mounted one ridden by his
special orderly. He sent his officers to
stop the firing of Allabach's Brigade
and ordered the men to fix bayonets in
readiness for the charge. He rode back
to Tyler's brigade, and ordered it to
advance with fixed bayonets and i'm
Deded guns. Placing himself by the
side of Gen. Tyler at the head of this
brigade, he ordered an advance with
cheers, with Allabach's Brigade follow
ing. II was a picture for a poet or ar
list, this of Gen. Humphreys and his
officers riding grimly forward. straight
INTO the mouth of hell, undeterred by
The sight of the dead and wounded |
'"hich thickly covered the ground over
which they passed. How far they got !
$ matter of dispute, as the officers |
IF the Second Corps insist that the !
lead of French's Division lay as near
the fatal stone wall as any point reach