ted thereon one 32-pounder. He also had
a section of field-guns. The rebels lost no time in making their
dispositions, and were ready for the assault. Col. Harden hastily made
preparations to receive the enemy. He placed his women and sick on a
transport that lay at the wharf. That being done, the old Colonel said
to his men: 'Boys, here I will die before I will lower that flag.' and
his command all cheered him, and said 'we agree to that sentiment.'

"Weller was now ready; he ordered Forrester and Law-ting to advance
and attack. But before doing so he thought it would be the more correct
warfare to summon the garrison to surrender. He did so by sending a flag
of truce and demanding a surrender of the fort. Col. Harden inquired
by what authority the surrender was demanded. The reply was that Gen.
Weller demanded it 'in the name of Jefferson Davis, President of the
Southern Confederacy.'

"'Tell Gen. Weller that if Mr. Davis is here in person I will see him;
but if Gen. Weller wants this fort he must take it at the point of the
bayonet. Col. Harden never surrenders to the enemy.'

"This was reported to Gen. Weller, and he remarked, 'We will see.'

"Forrester deployed his command and moved forward up the hill, but as
he galloped up under a heavy fire his loss was severe. The soldiers
who were defending that part of the outer works retreated inside of the
heavy fortifications. A murderous and destructive fire was now opened
upon the enemy from all sides of the works.

"Forrester fell back and formed a new line, and Weller put his whole
force in action. Lawting joined Forrester on the right, and the assault
was made.

"Old Col. Harden said: 'Boys, here they come; let them charge close up
before you fire. Fill that old 32-pounder with bullets on top of the
shell;' and they did.

"So Forrester charged with his men right up to the works. Col. Harden
gave the command 'Fire!' and with one volley from muskets and the old
32-pounder the cavalry retreated in every direction; many horses and men
fell under this terrible fire. Our men leaped out of the works, and with
bayonets fixed charged down against Forrester's men and captured many
of them. Forrester's best Colonel was killed and his command routed and
demoralized. Lawting had captured the Cemetery Ridge, where some of Col.
Harden's men had made a stand, but finding they could not hold it,
fell back into the fort. Darkness here closed in and the old flag still
floated ov