The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-20
SPECTACULAR CHARGE AT
BATTLE OF CLAWS FARM
Wise's Brigade Was Centre Of Moving Pageant
Of War Along Famous Hewlett
Line.
! nv "TtIIRTY-FOURTH VIRGINIA.

wises brigade spent many months
ABOUT Charleston during 1853 and 1854
and participated in the many sklr-
mishes and fights about that city.
But ono morning about the ith OF
May. 1861. orders came from General
Wiselito hasten with all possible speed
TO Petersburg, Va. a song OF re1oic-
ing went UP like mighty chorus When
the boys heard the news. Hasty prep.
arations were made and soon we were
aboard the trains OF tho Northeastern
Railroad (now a portion OF the Allan
Tic Coast Line), having marched
through Charleston again. this time
with the bands playing Garry Nc Back
to Old Virginia"
Tho trip was without special Incl.
dent. as I remember It. until VIC ar
rived at Rcamss Station. first south
OF Petersburg. where we found fan-
kee cavalry raid had torn up the rail-
road track. which, of course, brought
our long limo OF freight trains to =
halt. But quickly discmbarking and
lining up we struck a swinging strike
in columns OF the whole brigade. and
in an almost Incredible short time We
pushed through Petersburg and on to
the northward along tho line OF the
railroad to a point where General
Butler. who had come up from Ber-
muda Hundred, had seized the rail-
road. thus cutting Off all communi-
cations with Richmond from the south.
n. Hating while at Dunlop for Or
ders, we soon moved on to Port Wall
Hthall Junction, where Butler had made
his stand In line OF battle, with some
in,renchmcnts and considerable arttl-
lery Buffers line faced south. stand
ing across the railroad and the turn
pike and backed by heavy reserve
columns in his rear. A similar dispo-
sition and stand had been made nj
the other end Of his line facing north
ward in the vicinity of Drewry's Bluff
2 Station.
Benuregarl's Plan.
But General Beanregard had wisely
planned his attack, which seems TO
E hnvo been that our brigade. with two
North Carolina brigades. under Major
General Whiting. We're to attack from
tho south at Port Walthall, and Pick
ett's Division was to attack from the
north at Drewry's Bluff simultaneous
,Ely. double General Buffers columns
back and force him into the narrow
neck OF land between tho james and
tho Appropriations. known as Bermuda
Hundred. and thus compel him to sur
render his army.
We approached Buffers columns
i,
was superb. with a heavy slzirlnish line
in front Tho enemy was likewise In
4 baltic array. and his skirmish line
Immediately delivered brisk fire. and
retired to her main line very stub
+ bornly. The Tanks main line was
partially protected by a railroad cut.
and we had to ma kc our charge down
a. slipping plowcd field In tho face OF
\ their fire, but raising that unearthly,
/ demon-li Ike arehol yell, we made o dash
for the cut, Yankees and all. When
they found we were coming in on them
they broke and ran up the slope on
the other side OF tho railroad and took
shelter In a skirt OF heavy pine woods.
We pushed on until we drove them
8 some distance, when We wefe ordered
TO halt, 1T had been n splendid onset,
and q decided victory SO far, The boys,
rank and tile were anxious to {go on,
1. but orders were orders and must be
obeyed, i
Meanwhile General Pickett. at Drew
RVS Blutf, had crept up to Rutler's line
actually striking the blow, and swept
Everything before him like q cyclone.
4 Though his losses had been heavy his
victory had been complete by doubling
Buffers line back and SCATTERING his
whole column. Ii - .35s
Had General w hitting pushed the ems
enly's broken lines We had started 80
successfully to double UP until he
poured them In upon the wrackage
sfthat Beanregard had wrought. 1t is
mot ditfloult for a.layllan to. see that
c Butler's army would 4 have been de-
stroyed In short or deR But lot tho
historian cll8abo',t all this,
After tho battle,
Our casualties vat, Port NYalthall In
the Thirty fourth were remarkably
small, and Il hayo al ways attributed II
/ 10 the fact that our rebel yell y ana