DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | James B. Weaver letters, 1860-1864

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1862-02-19 Page 02

enemy about four hundred yards distant from us in full view. These works were situate on the brow of a very steep hill all over which the enemy had felled in wild confusion, the heavy timber which had grown there.  Several other Regiments had made the attempt to storm the well planned works of the enemy before and had failed with terrible loss. Hense the reason of sending but half of our Reg. It was enough to sacrifice. Col Tuttle took charge of our wing and Col Baker the right wing which was to come to our support after we had gained the works.  We were ordered not to fire a gun until we had driven them from their works at the point of the bayonet.  The Command of "Forward march" was given, and at quick time we moved forward to the terrible slaughter and to a more wonderful triumph.  Presently we came within short range of the enemies trenches when they opened upon us a terrible and deathly Cross fire.  All around us and amongst us flew the missles of death and all around and on every side of us men were falling in the agonies of death.

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enemy about four hundred yards distant from us in full view. These works were situate on the brow of a very steep hill all over which the enemy had felled in wild confusion, the heavy timber which had grown there. Several other Regiments had made the attempt to storm the well planned works of the enemy before and had failed with terrible loss. Hense the reason of sending but half of our Reg. It was enough to sacrifice. Col Tuttle took charge of our wing and Col Baker the right wing which was to come to our support after we had gained the works. We were ordered not to fire a gun until we had driven them from their works at the point of the bayonet. The Command of "Forward march" was given, and at quick time we moved forward to the terrible slaughter and to a more wonderful triumph. Presently we came within short range of the enemies trenches when they opened upon us a terrible and deathly Cross fire. All around us and amongst us flew the missles of death and all around and on every side of us men were falling in the agonies of death.