it, many losing their lives at its very edge. After a short
breathing spell men were helped up the exterior of the
parapet on the shoulders of others; fifty or sixty being
thus disposed an attempt was made to storm the fort. At the
signal nearly all rose, but the enemy, lying securely
sheltered behind the interior slope, the muzzles of their
guns almost touching the storming party, received the latter
with a crushing fire, sending many into the ditch below shot
through the brain or breast. Several other attempts were
made with like result, till at last forty or fifty of the
assailants were writhing in the ditch or resting forever.

"'The defense having been obviously re-enforced meanwhile
from other points not so directly attacked, and having armed
the gunners with muskets, it was considered impolitic to
attempt another storm with the now greatly reduced force on
hand, especially as the cessation of the artillery fire of
the fort was considered a sufficient hint to the commander
of the Union forces that the attacking party had come to
close quarters and were proper subjects for re-enforcements.
No signs, however, of the latter appearing, it was decided
to surrender, especially as the rebels had now commenced to
roll lighted shells among the stormers, against which there
was no defense, thus inviting demoralization. Seven
officers, Capts. Weiss and McCarty, Lieuts. Sherman, Mack,
Spinney, Ferguson and Eler, and from seventy to eighty
enlisted-men, delivered up their arms to an enemy gallant
enough to have fought for a better cause.

"'Many, in mounting the parapet, could not help taking a
last mournful look on their dead comrades in the ditch,
whose soldierly qualities had endeared them to their best
affections; and many, without for a moment selfishly looking
at their own dark future, were oppressed with inexpressible
sadness when reflecting on the immensity of the sacrifice
and the deplorableness of the result. It was a time for
manly tears.'

"Lieut. Spinney gives the following account of the charge
against Fort Gilmer:

"'The charge was made in quick time, in open order of about
three paces, until we could plainly see the enemy; then the
order was given by Capt. Weiss to 'double-quick,' which was
promptly ob