Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-02

and we soon saw that it was losing
fight in the part of the Sd corps. We
went into this position early in the
morning, the whole corps being in that
immediate vicinity, mostly massed
upon this fiat. Gradually, during the
day. troops were withdrawn from our
corps. first, the Sd division being
placed upon the right of the angle.
The first division then hurriedly left
US, then a brigade was taken out of
our division, then regiment went
out of our brigade and finally the 18th
was left about alone.
AS soon as we formed we We're Or
dered to lie down, and as no man had
any objections to the order every man
quickly obeyed.
We watched the coming storm with
intense suspense, it was moving our
way and it was very plain to be seen 1t
was to surge over us, and we soon
would be caught in the vortex.
Humphreys division which lay along
the Emmettsburg Road was breaking
up and coming toward us, yet stub
bornly fighting on and contestlng
every foot of the ground, at first, but
by being overpowered by weight of
numbers they finally crumbled to
pieces and came back to us in confu-
sion as a helpless and disorganized
mass. Fearing the 18th Maine might
catch the spirit of the defeated troops
in our front and be swept away in the
current Col. Heath walked rapidly
along in front of the regiment caution
ing the men to lay still and keep their
places. and allow the broken and dis
organized troops to pass over us to the
rear. The timely caution given by
Col. Heath had the desired effect and
not man left the ranks In the
tumult of the retreat Of that division,
Gen. Humphrey rode up to Col. Heath
and ordered, him to stop his routed
troops at the point of the bayonet.
will give Col Heath's own version of
the affair. when they got within
some 200 yards OF my lines an officer
that I supposed to be General
Humphrey rode up to me and ordered
me to get my men up, as they were
all lying down, and stop his men.
ment would be carried with the de-
serted troops. I told Humphrey to
get his men out of the way and we
appear to be satisfied with that ar
rangement but rode down the rear OF
my lines ordering the men up. 1 fol-
lowed him and countermanded his or
ders. Finally he went off and his men
went with him"
AS soon as the last of these men got
out of our way we found the rebels
closely following giving the retreating
men good and sufficient reason for be-
ing In hurry. The rebels We're about
80 yards from our line, when Col.
Heath gave the order to fire In this
position of about 80 yards from their
nnes we delivered about eight rounds
into their ranks. and they RAPIDLY
melted away. The batteries which
formed upon our left corner com.
menced firing the moment their front
was clear OF our own troops, and thew
were doing prodigious work. the men
with coats off and sleeves rolled I'M
were hurting grape and canister max
Ing terrible havoc and confusion 4,
their lines. But the enemy closed I'm
and kept up their terrible onset on our
line.
The 10th Maine then charged and
broke them. Soon Col. Heath received
report that the enemy was on his
right flank. Then he ordered the regi.
ment to fall back in perfect order
1t did so and resumed firing. MANY off
GERS and men place the distance they
fall back at two rods. At this
position company F. rejoined the regi-
ment in their proper place
Every man was sensible to the fact
that the regiment was in precarious
situation and they alone could stem
the current and throw back the surg
Ing hosts, closely pursuing our re.
treating comrades. En- executing these
movements and preserving such per.
Test order and unity show net only