2l6
��IN BATTLE AND IN PRISON.
��vision with interest, although our regi- ment is still exposed to a galling fire from riflemen behind the railroad embankment. — The spectacle was a thrilling one. The 6th corps bat- teries were playing upon the heights, with might and main, and up the steep ascent our brave boys were climbing with all speed. Out hearts were in our throats as we watched. Could the heights be stormed ? Could Sedgwick with 10,000 men do what Burnside failed to do with ten times that number? Our Colonel, who has been watching the conflict through his field-glass, electrifies us at last by ex- claiming, "The heights are ours, boys !" " Our flag is there !" Such a cheer as went up must have astonished our friends just opposite. A rebel brigade, which had left the entrenchments near our front and was making all speed to succor its friends, suddenly halted, then taking in the situation turned about and ran back again, its pace be- ing accelerated by shots from cannon just taken. The victory was ours thus far, but at what a cost ! It was a brief triumph, alas ! for disaster had overtaken Hooker, and he was a beaten general at that moment. We knew it not, how- ever. Contrariwise it was announced that Hooker had been even more suc- cessful, and that Lee's routed army was in rapid retreat on Richmond. Joy filled our hearts, even though we mourned the death of many brave comrades whose last roll call on earth had been answer- ed that morning. Hence, when orders came for our brigade to fall in and take the lead in the pursuit on our side, they were obeyed with alacrity, and up and over the battle-stained heights we marched, munching; our hardtack as we went, and out upon the Chancellorsville pike, driving the enemy before us like chaff before the wind. Two miles out, "a battery opened upon us, but we took little notice, pushing our skirmish line rapidly forward. It was a fatal dis- charge, however, to an officer on Brooks' staff, who fell from his horse, nearly decapitated by a shell. — One of our batteries is hurried to the front and a single discharge causes the enemy to re-
��tire on the double quick. We reach Salem church, nearly exhausted by our rapid marching, hoping for rest. But the worst is yet to come. Our skirmish line is held at bay. It cannot advance, and our brigade is formed for a charge — my own regiment, through the negli- gence of some one, going into the fight in heavy marching order, with knap- sacks strung, and blankets strap- ped. Meeting a heavy fire of mus- ketry at the edge of a piece of woods, the brigade halts. But Gen. Brooks, who has orders to effect a junction with Hooker, and deeming the enemy in front to be, the same we have been driving, orders another ad- vance. Into the woods we go to be met by a terrific fire. We charge and drive the foe from his breastworks, but can go no further. Heavily reinforced he advances with yells. There is a continuous roll of musketry. The Pennsylvania regiments on our right and left give ground. We are out- flanked and enfiladed. Then comes the order to fall back. It must be done quickly if we would not be entirely cut off from the second line. Burdened as many of our men are by their knap- sacks, and fatigued by the march, they can not run. Such is my condition. Although with only a blanket to carry, I am quite used up physically. The double-quick is beyond my powers, and with every disposition in the world to run I cannot to save my life. Sud- denly, one leg refuses to move, and I fall. A call to my men is unheard, or if heard, unheeded. I try to regain my feet, but cannot. My leg seems para- lyzed. Am I hit ? wounded ? A brother officer sees me ; hears my call for as- sistance ; and proffers aid ; helps me to my feet, and I stagger along for a few paces. Meantime, we have been left far in the rear and are between two fires. The air is laden with missiles. It is madness to proceed, and so we both hug the ground. Doubtless our lives are saved by this device, but, although we had not the faintest idea then that such was the case, it involved our cap- ture and imprisonment. "The combat deepens." The din is awful. Line
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