A day long to be
remembered by those who participated in the events I now write about. We all
knew we were to assault the rebel works, and that there would be bloody work.
The day was a beautiful one, but very warm. We got breakfast early, and shortly
word came that the assault would be made at two o'clock promptly, but that we
would move at ten o'clock to take our positions. The ground had been
reconnoitered as best it could by General Ransom and the field officers of the
brigade the night previous. Early in the morning General Ransom and staff took
seats near our quarters, where we had a good position, to see the rebel works.
We talked and chatted, and Colonel Wright had a splendid field glass, and
Ransom remarked jocosely: "Colonel, if you are killed I want you to leave
that glass to me." "All right," said he, but I remarked:
"Stop, Colonel, you forget you left that to your boy when you made your
will at Memphis." "That is so," replied Wright. Poor fellow, a
few hours afterwards he was carried off the field badly wounded. I climbed a
large tree to get as good a view as possible, and reported to Ransom that they
had no interior works but a single line of fortification. When 10 o'clock came
we fell into line and the regiment counted; we numbered four hundred men. At
the word "forward" we started in two ranks down the ravine and
commenced to climb up the ascent on the other side, Company A in the advance.
It was hard work climbing over and under the trees that the Rebs had cut down
to impede our advance. We got within thirty yards of their works, creeping on
our hands and knees, when four of Company Co A were shot, two killed in
instantly. Corporal Nelson and Private Harding, and Corporal Heberlin and
Private Kassill mortally wounded; both died at night—four as good men as ever
drew breath. We were ordered to change our position, and in doing so a
lieutenant left his sword near the spot where the men were killed. I climbed up
and got it for him and sent it to him with my compliments; got into our new
position and waited for the word. Generals Giles A Smith and Ransom and other
officers got together in the ravine and arranged their watches and how they
should start. At last, at two o'clock promptly, the word came to
"go." Up we started and rushed ahead with a yell, and were greeted
with a most wondrous volley. Our colors were planted about fifteen feet from
the ditch, but we could not go forward, the fire was too severe, men could not
live; we laid down and only the wounded fell back, while shot and shell from
the right and left and our own batteries in the rear, whose shell fell short,
did terrific work. Men fell "like leaves in wintry weather." Colonel
Wright was carried off the field terribly wounded, Colonel Starring
incapacitated by a sunstroke, when the command of the regiment fell upon
myself. General Ransom tried to have us go forward, but we could not do it. At
last he gave the word to get back into the ravine, which we did, marching off
as quietly as on dress parade, carrying the wounded with us, but leaving the
dead. We reformed and then waited for further command, as we expected to make
another charge, but thank heaven, orders came only to move up to our former position
and hold the ground, which we did, and remained until midnight, when we were
ordered back to our camp. What a night! Such a night I never spent before.
About dusk there was quite a panic, but fortunately it was checked. The stench
was horrible. Many of the men from being completely worn out fell asleep, but I
could not close my eyes. None knew but what the Rebs might sally out, but they
were only too glad, I guess, to stay where they were, having repulsed us. I
cannot go into the details of the charge, but it was horrible, bloody work. Our
loss in twenty minutes was one hundred and ten killed and wounded. Such was the
22d of May, 1863.
SOURCE: Joseph
Stockton, War Diary (1862-5) of Brevet Brigadier General Joseph
Stockton, p. 16
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