ortion of
the enemy's works, and storm it. The 25th Connecticut Volunteers was
consolidated with us, commanded by Major Burt. It was necessary to
make a circuitous route three miles through the woods to the right, to
reach the position to be attacked, exposed the whole way to a
continued and terrific fire of shot and shell; but our boys
unflinchingly pressed on through ravines, over felled trees, and all
sorts of intricacies natural and artificial. The final assault was to
be made upon an almost perpendicular slope. "Forward!" was the word,
and persistently we advanced, reaching just under and near the
parapet, but the fire was like hail; the Color Bearer was shot dead
and the color staff shot from his hands, but it was again secured and
brought off. We lay in this position for some hours unable to advance
or retreat; it seemed almost impossible for one to escape under such
a fire. A number of our men remained in this position until after
dark, when the firing ceased. Shortly after midnight, the enemy
supposing we still lay close to their works, sallied out and poured a
heavy volley into the position from which we had been very prudently
removed but a short time previous. We captured one Captain and eight
sharpshooters in ambush outside the works; this was but little, yet it
furnished some satisfaction for our loss. This was in advance of any
previous attack, several of which were made during the day. Our loss
on this eventful day was 21 men killed and 38 wounded. From this time
until June 14th we were almost continually in the rifle pits.

June 14th was selected for a general assault. The advance stormers,
led by the gallant Colonel PAINE, of the 4th Wisconsin Volunteers, who
had been acting Brigadier General for some time previous, pressed on
under the most severe fire. A number succeeded in penetrating the
enemy's works, but owing to the obstructions we were obliged to pass
over, the advance could not be supported with the necessary rapidity
for the success of the scheme. Colonel Paine being severely wounded
early in the action, materially injured the success of the enterprise.
The wounded Colonel lay in such a position that he could not be
removed until after dark; several attempts were made but the parties
were either killed or wounded in their noble efforts. It was in this
engagement that the gallant Colonel COWLES, of the 128th, lost his
life while leading his men to the assault.

Shortly after midnight we left