The National tribune., 1908-10-15

had been severely engaged the day be-.
fore and lost its Colonel commanding,
George L. Willard, consisted OF the 39th.
111th, 125th and 126th N. z, and was
commanded by Col Eliakizn Sheriff.
until the latter was killed. and then
Lieur-CoI James n Bull. Gen. Hays
In his report says:
"a. the hour last named they opened
upon our front the most terrific and
uninterrupted fire from artillery.
cannot believe there were less than 50
pieces bearing on US within good range.
It was continued uninterruptedly until
4:30 O'clock, when heavy column of
the enemy moved forward in three
lines, preceded by a strong line OF
skiruaisIlers, debouched from the wood
opposite our line. Their march was as
steady as IL impelled by machinery, un-
broken by our artillery, which played
upon them a storm of missiles. When
within 100 yards of our line of infantry,
the fire CT our men could no longer be
restrained. Four lines rose from be-
hind our stone wall, ard before the
smoke Of our first volley had cleared
away the enemy, In dismay and con-
sternation, were seeking safety in flight.
Every attempt by their officers to rally
them was vain In less time than
can recount it they were throwing away
their arms and appealing most piteousiy
for energy. The angel of death alone
can lsroduce such field as was pre-
sehted
'The division captured and turned
into corps headquarters Is battle flags
or banners A number of other flags
were captured, but had been surrepti-
tiously disposed of in the subsequent
excitement of battle before they could
be collected.
'I transmit the report of Lieut.. W.
e. Potter. showing a collection by him
of $500 stand of arms, besides an est-
mate of 1000 left upon the ground for
want of time to collect thsm- From
my own personal examination of the
field / am satisfied the number esti-
mated is not too great. OF the prison.
that no accurate account could be kept
but by estimate, which cannot be less
than 1900"
- Col. smyth's Account.
Col. Thomas A Smyth. who was so
severely wounded as to be compelled to
quit the field, says Of his brigade:
"The officers and men behaved with
the greatest GOODNESS. and endured this
terrible fire with much fortitude.f As
the fire OF the enemy's batteries slack
ened their infantry moved upon our
position in three lines. preceded by
skfrmishers. -
My men were QlFecUe0 10 reserve
their fire until the foe was within SO
yards, when so effective and incessant
was the fire from my line that the ad-
vancing enemy was staggered, thrown
into confusion, and finally fed from
the field, throwing away their arms In
their flight. Many threw themselves on
the ground to escape our destructive
fire, and raised their hands in token OF
surrender.
''The number of prisoners captured
by this brigade is estimated at from
1900 to 1880. The number Of small
arms collected by them is estimated al
1000. This command captured nine
battle flags. as follows: The 14th Conn.
four: the 1st Del, three, and the 12tf
n. j., two.
'The l0Sth N. Y. rendered very eff
cient service while supporting Wood
ruffs Battery, and lost heavily, tn,
casualties beirg about half Of the regi
ment in action. The men assisted IL
manuvering the guns when so many
OF the horses were killed that the guns
Nmbers and caissons could with diff
Guilty be moved"
The 18th Conn.
Mai. Theodore G. Ellis, 14th Conn.
says that his regiment opened fire al
200 yards. and this ran along the whole
hne. Tho enemyts first line vas broken
and then thrown in confusion upon tbs
second. After the fire had been main
tained for some time and the enemy
sesmsd to be yielding his regimen
charged out and captured five regimen
tai battle flags and over 10 prisoners
About 100 OF the enemy came into tbs