The National tribune., 1908-12-17
The Midnight Hattie.

GOucEucQ ItldI Tic NIlOlG IQIilutI ia
sffectives present at the time of the
kction did not exceed 1, 400.
The Midnight Hattie.
The battle on the right at Culp's Hill
has been and was often referred to,
and not inappFepriateiy SO, as the mid
hight battle. That its Importance was
not given q more conspicuous place or
prominence at the time was often said
TO be from the very fact that the least
Baid about SO conspicuous an error of
EeneraIship the better; and. therefore.
q greater prominence was given to that
dramatic and useless spectacle known
as Picketes charge. This brigade
Teached the field just as the sun was
sinking IL the west, on the evening of
the 1st day of July, 1868, and went into
line of battle somewhere near the
Reund Top, with orders not TO kndie
fires and to sleep on its arms. At early
dawn the next morning it was called
into line and marched off to the right
and placed in position, with its left
Resting upon the rocky crown of Cuip's
y1hl and extending southeasterly, fac
ing or fronting Rock Creek.
fhe men OF this corps had in its pre-
visgs experience been taught the value
of the barricade and breastwork, so that
Ats first work was in the preparation of
q low line Of barricades constructed out
Of fence rails, poles and such small
trees as, could be cut in the immediate
vicinity OF the line by the evertobe-
Remembered company hatchet. This
line was placed a short distance over
the brow of ridge facing the creek.
The ground being rocky and intrench-
Ing tools quite scarce, but little earth
pas exoayated; but the rocks were used
10 brace UP the rails and poles. as well
es. TO form part of the line. Sometime
about midday an order passed along the
line for the men on the left Of the line
10 take distance to the right and cover
rs much of the hreastworls as posei-
bic. We found these works to our right
GnoceUpied, and though stretching out
BUR files az Tar as 1t was possible with
any semblance Of a line, it was not pos
sible to cover half the vacated space.
The ground along which we were
Stretched out was along the eastern
slope, covered with scrubhy growth
of trees, which as the land sloped down
toward the creek became thick fores'
of large trees, with much undergrowt1
I'm places, and large rocks and eoulders
corning an ideal cover TO infantry wher
once established in our front.
Soon after this spreading out OF thu
line the eneny's sharpshooters began u
annoy our ou.posts. A Regular batter,
of I2-pounder Napoieons was at on
time brought up and placed upon th
highest point of Culp's Hill, and Tor
time made IL quite uncomfortabie 10
these Confederates and also Tor Con
federate battery off to our left front
AT this stage of the game volunteer rife
nnen were called for TO act as sharp
=, shooters to take care of the enemy. VIII
posted behind trees ana fences in tn
cleared fields to the left and beyond tn
who'd In our immediate front, were Civ
ing us much concern.
Being In charge of squad Of thes
volunteers, had an exceptional oDpor
funity to witness and take note Of wha
Followed during the remainder OF tn
bay on that portion Of our line.
The Enemy Genes Into View.
The rattle Of musketry and the roa
pf artillery of to our left gave us to un
&erstand that the battle was on at tn