The Washington herald., 1914-07-30

they could not be held. maze of inner
works was beyond them. The enemy
formed in a ravine in the rear and fired
upon them.
More than an hour thus passed. The
troops in the crater could do nothing.
Those outside were without leadership,
and could not move forward. Gen. Ledlie
was In a bombproof In the rear Of The
Federal works. and requests for orders
had to be sent to him there. He could
not see the scene Of operations, and
did not know where his troops were.
He could only send back orders that
had been given him by Gen. Burnside,
for his troops to push on to the crest
behind the mine.
Three hours passed in abortIve strug-
gle around the crater. Gen. Lee had ar
rived near the scene at 6 o'clock, and
had ordered up troops from his right
under Gen. William Malone. to drive
the Federals from the breach. Under
Lees direction the defense was continued
until Malone could come up. Cen FL
lott being wounded. his men were led
by Col F. W. RcMaster, of the Seven
teenth South Carolina Regiment. who re-
pulsed all attempts OF the Federals to
advance from the vicinity Of the crater.
At one time fourteen Federal hags were
waving on the Confederate works.
Grant Under Fire.
Meanwhile Gen. Meade, in a fever OF
excitement, was pacing his tent like q
Gagged lion and sending frequent messages
to Gen. Burnside, demanding explicit re-
ports on the progress OF the assault Not
getting them, he had early sent q staf
oficer for news. The report this oficer
brought back showed Gen Meade as
early as o'clock that the assault mad
failed. StIll Gen. Burnside thought that
with a little more time he could take the
enemy's works.
He now prepared to push forward his
colored troops. 1t was o'clock before
they moved. Passing around the crater
into which many Of them crowded-the
negroes made q charge, taking 300 pris-
oners and a regimental flag. Their gen-
eral was not with them, but back in the
with Gen. LedHe. The ns-
groes were beaten back. broken and in
confusion.
The crater still held its prisoners for
they were but little better. and the enemy
swept the ground about II with shot and
shell and bullets. The morning was fiery
hot. and the men entrapped in the crater
painted like spent hounds, while the ex-
halations from their perspiring bodies
rose in steam.
From q concealed position in the rear
the enemy dropped mortar shells among
them. which. exploding, slaughtered men
with horrible mutilation.
Grant. restrained by his sense Of mill
tary fitness from interfering with we'll
natured orders once given. had followed
The reports from the front with growing
mpatience. At last he mounted. and rode
rs far as possible toward the scene of
action. Then dismounting, he made his
way rapidly among the confused crowds
" troops waiting orders in the works,
oward a field work in which Gen. Burn
ide was standing. The soldiers did not
recognize the plainly dressed man crowd
ng among them. his face covered with
lust and streaked with perspiration, the |
OF the armies OF the United |
states, and some Of them showed him |
cant courtesy
Grant Orders Withdrawal.
Finding that he could save time by
proceeding outside the breastworks. |
Grant !eaped the parapet. Making his
way some distance under heavy fire he |