The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1912-08-01

rest keeping on, and 80 we followed suit;
and the whole Of our line sprang forward
with the battle cry Of the 6th-A long
binding fame, burst from the whole
length of the enemy's works, hOrrid
crash and terrific storm of grape and
canister and bullets tore through and
through our ranks, and many Of our
brave boys went down before its fury.
1t was now that the demon of war laid
hold of our hearts. Now, all of those
laughing men of but a few hours ago
were changed into devils incarnate.
With bowls of revenge, they rushed up
the slope, the enemy's fire growing hot
ter and hotter. and the men falling at
every step, and leaping over the earth
works We attacked the rebels in the most
bloody hand to hand conflict of the war.
Bayonets slid into strong mems bosoms
until the point dripping blood emerged
from the back. Gun stocks went crash
ing through quivering brains, smashing
skulls to the chin, and some not content
with their murderous weapons threw
them down and drawing their knives,
slashed into each other, bowling all the
while like maddened wolves.
This is no imaginary sketch. l saw
all this with my own eyes, and am ready
to assert it, at all times. The enemy,
dismayed and frightened by this display
of fighting quality, broke and fled, many
of them toward the river, but far the
greater part to their left, which as yet
was unassailed, our line not extending
far enough in that direction, leaving in
our hands $50 prisoners, guns and one
stand of colors. But the battle was not
over, for the enemy, strong still in their
rifle pits on their left, opened raking
fire down the length of our line which
proved very destructive, and perceiving
the smallness of our force, only 300 men,
advanced heavily upon our right, my
company being the extreme right COM
pany. My officers had both fallen and l
took command. "Boys, do not yield
foot we will soon have reinforcements,
and the noble fellows fought like
wounded tigers at bay, but the enemy
was too strong, and they pushed US back,
foot by foot, the resistance being so
stubborn, that our guns actually hit
those of the rebels, as we thrust them
forward to fire. Good God. Had we
got to give up the Notifications after
once winning them at so heavy cost?
Where was the 9Th Wisconsin? We did
not serve them so at St. Mary's Heights.
We followed them so closely that part of
our boys were ahead of them. Oh, it is
dreadful! When will they be here?
Such thoughts as these swept through
our minds, as we fought on, on, on.
Would they ever come? My boys actually
cried with anger at being obliged to give
way. for since we had been soldiers, it
had never happened before. -Hurrah A
cheer went up from the glorious old 5th,
as bursting like living torrent over the
entertainments, they came to our aid,
and throwing ourselves upon the ground
exhausted, while tears of joy flowed
from every eye, we let the boys of the
9Th leap over to take our places. Stimuli
taneously with the 9Th Wisconsin came
the gallant 9Th Maine and 12lst New
York, who rushed upon the enemy's left
and carried those works with a rush;
and the victory was won-the enemy
being either captured, or driven into the
river and then shot in the rushing waters.
The result of this victory was guns and
stand of colors, 1900 prisoners, 1000 stand
of small arms, and one bridge train.