Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-12

fed. The tanks were also further Sc
cured by return works, which prevented
them from being left Sin the air. AL
together, the position was naturally far
more formidable than that just aban-
doned.
At early dawn the divisions of the
4th Corps the Union center) moved for
ward, driving out the opposing skirmish-
ers. The men entered upon the work
with such ardor that the advance soon
quickened into a run. and the run almost
into charge They took up their posi-
tionS in front of the enemyS new line,
at one point coming within $50 yards of
the salient at Overtons Hill Here they
were halted and threw up their works.
while the artillery on both sides kept up
steady and accurate fire. Steedman
(the Union right also moved forward and
about noon joined his right to Woods
left, thus completing the alignment.
On his way to the front Gen Thomas
heard the cannonading, and, as was his
custom, rode straight for the spot where
the action seemed heaviest As he was
passing a large, old-fashioned house, his
attention was attracted by the noise of a
window closing with a slam. Turning to
see the cause, he was greeted by a look
from a young lady whose expression at
the moment was the reverse of angelic.
With an amused smile, the general rode
on, and soon forgot the incident in the
excitement of battle. But this trif1ing
event had sequel. The young lady, in
process of time became the wife of an
officer then serving in Gen. Thomas army
though he did not happen to be a wit
ness of this episode.
The ground between the two armies
for the greater part of the way from
Franklin pike, crossed by Hoods right.
to the Granny White pike, beyond
which lay Hoods left is low, open,
and crossed by frequent streams run
ming in every direction, and most of
the fields were either newly plowed or
old corn fields, and were heavy, wet
and muddy from the recent storms.
rounded slope, the top of which was
amply fortified, while hills held by the
left Of his line just west Of the Granny
White pike are so steep that 1T is diff
were crowned with formidable barri-
cades, in front of which were abatis
and masses of fallen trees. Between
these eXtremities the works In many
places consisted of stone walls covered
with earth, with head logs on the top.
To their rear were ample woods, suffi-
GENTLY open to enable troops to move
through them, but thick enough to af-
posted at every available spot, and
good use was made of It,
The morning was consumed in NOV
ing to new positions. Wilson's cavalry,
by a wide detour, had passed beyond
the extreme Confederate left and Sc
cured a Judgment on the Granny White
pike. But one avenue of escape was
now open for Hood-the Franklin pike.
Gen. Thomas hoped that vigorous as
sault by Schofeld's corps against
Hoods left would break the line there.
and thus enable the cavalry. relieved
from the necessity Of operating against
the Confederate flank, to gallop down
the Granny White pike to its junction
miles below. and plant itself squarely
across the only remaining line of re-
treat. If this scheme could be carried
out, nothing but capture or surrender
awaited Hoods whole army.
Meantime on the Union left Col. Post.
who had so gallantly carried Mont
gomery hill the morning before, had
made a careful reconnaissance of Over
toms HILL the strong position on Hood s
right As the result of bis observation
he reported to Gen. Wood, his corps COM
mander. that an assault would cost dear,
but he believed 1t could be made success
The order was accordingly given and
everything prepared. The brigade was to
be supported on either side by fresh
troops to be held in readiness to rush for
the works the moment Post should gain
the parapet.
The bugles had not finished sounding
the charge, when Posts brigade, pre-
ceded by a strong line of skirmishers,
moved forward, in perfect silence. with
orders to halt for nothing, but to gain
the works at run. The men dashed
on. Post leading, with all speed through
a shower of shot and shell. few of
the skirmishers reached the parapet;
the main line came within twenty steps
of the works, when, by concentrated
fire of musketry and artillery from
every available point of the enemy's
line, the advance was momentarily
checked, and, in another instant, Post
was brought down by a wound, at first
reported as mortal. This slight hesita-
ton and the disabling of Post were fatal
to the success Of the assault. The leader
and.animatings spirit gones tho Line slowly