The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1910-08-12
The Fighting Was Hard.

One Hundred and Forty-ninth, One
Hundred and Fiftieth and One Hun
dred and Fifty-first, think, writes
Maj. Earl M. Rogers of Viroqua. Wis.,,
In National Tribune.
At midnight Wadsworth sent an aid
back to Warren, notifying him that
the density of the woods and darkness
prevented further advance and re-
quested orders. The aid returned with
Instructions to move forward at 4:3O,
aud report to Hancock. Captain Mon
teith was sent to the ammunition train
to bring up cartridges. He reached
the train, awoke Sergeant Watrous,
whe had mules packed, and they made
their way to the line at the hour to
move. 1t was but a short march,
Where connection was made with Han
cock. The confederate left flank be-
ing exposed, they withdrew during the
night to distance that relieved their
flank.
General Hancock moved his troops
to the left, with his right on the
Plank road, and directed General
Wsdsworth to make change of front,
with left on the Plank road, and in
limo with the Secords corps. In exc
cutting this change of front Wads-
wosth's line became disconnected,
forming gaps, owing to the density OF
the wilderness. A perfect division
alignment or even brigade connection
seemed impossible. A forward move.
ment was made, when the confederate
line fell back. The fighting was hard.
Limbs and small trees fell from mus.
ket firing, which added more confusion
to the battle. The difficulty of mount
ed oficer riding in the woods led
General Wadsworth to rein to the
ditch on the right side of the Plank
road, where his horse was shot. The
general mounted led horse, kept in
the ditch, and only went few yards
when the second horse was killed.
Mounting a third horse, he was eau
toned of the danger, and refined few
feet It's the right of the Plank road in
the thick timber. The battle I'D to
this time was we'll with Hancock's
command.
There was a lull; then the confed-
crates pushed hard and fought fierce
ly. General Wadsworth had received
troops from the Ninth corps. Word
came to Hancock to look out for his
left, as the Second corps was going
away. The confederates were passing
off left when he tried to wheel the
troops to the left, when he was close
onto an Alabama brigade, which
charged and overlapped Wadsworth's
right.
The Union line went back in much
confusion. General Wadsworth did not
rein In his horse to the rear for an
instant. His statf, save the writer,
were away trying to save the line, and
when the general did rein his horse to
the rear every man was making in
that direction. His last view was his
retreating division. It flashed through
my mind, 1.-TWO cannot live; one must
co." when a ball went through the
generals brain and splashed my coat.
Then my horse fell.
The confederates could not have
been more than 30 feet. The general
fell on his back. He had an outside
pocket in which he carried his watch,
which I reached to take, but rine
balls and unpleasant yells halted me.
l ran back = short distance. where 1
found the generals horse with oothe
rein caught on a snag. Kaulted into
the saddle, and was soon with the
Sixth Wisconsin. i
I then rode to General Warren at
the Lacy house, notified him Of Wads-
worth's death, which is reported, in
the Rebellion. Reports of the Wilder
ness, and for which service was
brevetted captain, and later at Peters,
burg as maJor-twice for gallant and
meritorious service.
:: General Cutler then took Wads-
:worth's division, and Colonel Bragg, of
the Sixth Wisconsin, was ASST ned to
the Pennsylvania brigade, with me as
bis aid. The Pennsylvanians. fought.
nob1y. - ALA, IL M
- ~ Cost Of Army and Navy. #