Last night our position was changed from the south to the
east side of the town, on the Berryville road. The night was a very dark,
stormy one, with severe lightning and thunder. We were wet through. Not allowed
fires as it might draw the enemy's fire. Passed a very uncomfortable night.
This morning, at daylight, our position was again changed, extending our lines
further towards the north, under fire from the enemy as we attempted to enter
the rifle pits. In the movement Lieutenant Merwin commanding our company was
wounded in the foot.
The enemy had possession of a large brick house a short
distance in front of our position in the pits. Their sharpshooters made it hot
for us. A charge on the house was ordered. The enemy ran, but we captured a few
prisoners. Later in the day the rebs again took possession of the house making
it hot for us in the pits. We had to lie low or zip would come a bullet, and at
times many of them. Colonel ordered a section of a battery. Two guns putting a
few shells through the house, the enemy left it. No more trouble came from that
point, the house was ruined. About 6 P. M. General Milroy called in all his
forces and formed them around the Star Fort, the largest fort. A fierce battle
came on. It was a hot place. The roaring of the big guns, explosion of shells,
rattling of musketry, was something fearful. The charging of both sides was hot
work. We drove the enemy back and they also forced our lines back. Darkness put
an end to the carnage and I had passed through the battle unharmed. The end of
the second day. The casualties were great as I could not help seeing. It gave
me an opportunity to see what a horrible thing war really was. We were fighting
Jackson's old corps, now commanded by General Ewell, reported to number forty
thousand.
SOURCE: Charles H. Lynch, The Civil War Diary,
1862-1865, of Charles H. Lynch 18th Conn. Vol's, p. 19-20
No comments:
Post a Comment