The National tribune., 1910-12-15

tors Veteran Brigade was posted as
supports
The day previous McMillans Brigade
was accorded the honor of first to
break the enemy's line" but it had to
share honors with its support, Hatch's
dismounted cavalry, in the capture of
two redoubts, six cannon and 800 or 400
prisoners, but this day it had to go it
alone, with both fanks in the air"
The assault of this hill by the 500
men, that formed McMillan's Brigade
broke the enemy's lines and held them.
together with twice their number of
prisoners. including two brigade COM
rnanders Clash and Smith), with their
artillery, small-arms and four battle
flags.
To the success of this assault the
Confederate Generals, WalthalI, Bate
and Hood, attribute the disaster to the
Confederate army that Immediately fol-
lowed.
A Spectacular Event.
The storming of the hill was spec
tacularN Five corps OF the contending
forces had an unobstructed view of the
assault.
1t was ordered in the field plan Of
the attack tfat McMillan's Brigade
should lead. When it had gained a
point half way up the hill its support
of the Sixteenth Corps should imme-
diately charge, followed by other bri-
gades in echeion, all in double forma-
ton. They had 400 yards to make to
reach the rebel works in their imme-
diate front. but McMillan's Brigade had
been marched 100 rods west of their
place in line to q position in front, of
the TweTty-third Corps and between it
and Shy's Hill. Consequently the inter-
Yening distance between this brigade
and its supports Of the Sixteenth Corps
was too great for them to render the
contemplated support.
When all was apparently ready the
men were instructed to fix bayonets,
reserve their FIRE and advance without
the usual cheer. But they remained in
line in the open, under fire, for 45 min
utes awaiting the bugle's Forward"
The delay was caused by their support
ing battery tCogswelis) running out of
ammunition.
sides have made flattering comments
on the conduct of that assault, but
have failed TO depict the lively scene
around the colors of the regiment al
they mounted the enemy'S works at the
supreme moment of the conflict Serg't
O'Neal, of the 9th Mimi, was having
his bout with the rebel for the colors
amid that storm Of shot, shell and bay.
onet thrUsts, where seven men out oi
the eight forming his guard fell wound.
ed and one-fourth of his regiment was
placed hors de combat
Carried forward by the impulse OF
the charge. the brigade kept right or
after the fleeing rebels till dark, Leaving
in their wake A stream Of the disarmeC
enemy faced TO the rear, 10 be picked
up by other commands that poured thrI
the breech they had made
When ii carried the works on the hil
II had left a few Confederates beyond
its reach to the east and west of tn,
breach made, who continued the con
test.
AT this juncture Doolttle's Brigade
Twenty-third Corps, 400 yards distant
charged them to the west, while thos,
on the east slope of the hill were sur
rounded and mostly captured by the
supporting commands
The Confoderates evidently had ar
exaggerated idea of the strength of thu
assauIting force. and to this largely
they owe their defeat
In looking at the assault in the ligh,
of the evidence available at this date
its audacity becomes more APPARENT than
at the time.
In referring to 1t subsequently the
rebel Generals maintained that the,
yielded finally only to superior mum.
bers