s were heard on our extreme
left, then more, then a piece of artillery, then a volley, then a
battery opened, then commands were heard and the battle began. Sherwood
was moving against the enemy's right flank.

"He attacked as ordered, but found the enemy in strong force and very
stubborn. The battle continued on this part of the line without any very
material advantage to either side. At about three o'clock Gen. Papson
was ordered not to delay his attack any longer, so at this time the
movement of the whole army against the enemy commenced. Papson attacked
in double column, Gens. Anderson and Sherlin leading the assault
with their divisions. In the center, at the first assault made on the
rifle-pits at the base of the ridge, our forces were not successful, and
falling back for a short distance they readjusted their lines, changed
some of the regiments, and moved forward again to the attack. This time
the movement was as if it were machinery in motion.

"When close to the enemy a bayonet charge was ordered, and against the
foe they drove the instruments of death. The men who were in this
deadly charge will never forget it. As they came with bayonets fixed and
directed, the enemy, seeing their determination, poured a deadly fire
into their ranks. Many a brave man fell, but on the lines swept over the
trenches. Here the rebels were killed and wounded in such numbers that
they lay one across another in great numbers. The enemy fell back,
giving up the trenches to our victorious troops, and retreated to their
main works on the top of the ridge.

"Our troops moved right on up the slope of the ridge, facing a shower
of shot and shell and musketry most destructive and deadly. Anderson and
Sherlin led the way. Commanders of corps, divisions and brigades vied
with one another as to who should reach the crest first. For a time it
seemed doubtful if any of them would succeed in accomplishing it. Our
artillery was in battery playing on the enemy from an eminence on the
plateau east of the town and between the two lines. Finally the guns of
the enemy were disabled, some dismounted, and others driven from their
position. Our whole line then made one desperate effort to scale the
ridge and charge the rebel works. With a mighty shout and 'Come on
boys!' from Sherlin and Anderson, the heights were scaled, and amid
sickening scenes of blood and death our brave boys stormed and captured
their breast-works. Their center was pierced and b