Connecticut western news., 1912-01-04
"HEAVIeS" IN BATTLE
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After rest of few moments and a look at the rebels that got caught in their own trap, we retraced our steps down the corduroy to our old camp that we left at daylight, when we were aroused from our slumbers by the "long roll" and the heavy cannonading that was simply deafening. We were halted for 8 few moments near our old camp but were not allowed to enter in. but continued our march towards the left where there was music that told of some thing dolng.
 You were marched near to Fort Fisher. about one mile from our camp. We were halted behind piece of woods and waited for orders while the shot and shell were screeching to and fro over our heads. While we were lying here we saw train of ambulanoes approach ing. which forcibly impressed us with what was in the minds of our leaders. It was hot, smoky day, and the sun, a great red disk, was nearing the western horizon, when orders to forward to the front were gwen. We advanced through the brush to within twenty rods of the rebel piokets, which were just over @ low hill just high enough to protect from their direct fire. We remained here for about fifteen minute, awaiting orders but the silence was ominous of something. Colonel Hubbard was close by us encouraging his men. but we we'll knew before that sun went down there would be less of our numbers, and so it was.
 Our regiment. the Heavies, were on the right and in front. The 65th New York on our left. AS is generally the case when a charge is to be made the artillery opens up and draws fire from the enemy, and after few shots they ceased firing. General Hambhn rode up to the Colonel Hubbard and said:
 Colonel, move directly forward, con- form your movement to the division on your left"
 We advanced, the right of our regi- ment tapping into a piece of woods, but the rest charging over an open field. AS soon as we appeared in sight the rebel pickets opened fire. This movement was made very steadily the line of battle was perfect. The rebel pits were not continuous, Lut were made at intervals. small pits, crescent shape, with four men in each. As we advanced they oontinu- ed the fire till we got within two rods of these pits, when the Johnhies threw up their hands and said
 Don't shoot don't shoot," and they were let to pass us to the rear. The regiment passed on with Ralling fire of both musketry and artillery pouring into them. We passed through a swamp and up grade for about thirty rods, and lay down. A rebel battery on each flank seemed to be doing good work, using spherical case shot, which was a shell loaded with small iron balls with suffi- cient explosives to burst it, which threw these balls in every direction, wounding several if not killing.
 The position was untenable. for the cross firing was terrible. Our Sergeant Major Osborne was killed early in the charge. Adjutant T. F. Vail was wounded and the writer assisted him onto horse to be carried to the rear. More than twenty of our regiment were wounded, several of them mortally. We advanced little farther and had orders to lay down. Shell screeched over and into our ranks terribly. The rebel pickets and outer line were captured and we established an advance line of pickets which materially frightened our grip around Petersburgh and as trophies of the day about three thousand prisohers,
 At midnight we were moved back to our camp, with many left behind. This d avs operations began at about a. m, and lasted till past midnight,a tired and worn lot of boys.
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