Wisconsin) was so ably manned and so gallantly fought as to render it
impossible for a column to live within one hundred yards of the work.
Officers labored constantly to stimulate the men to exertions, and
almost all that were killed or wounded in the fort met their fate
while trying to get the men to expose themselves above the parapet
and nobly setting them the example.

"The enemy kept up a constant and intense fire, gradually closing
around us and rapidly filling our little fort with the dead or dying.
About 1 p. m. I was wounded by a rifle ball that rendered me
insensible for some thirty or forty minutes, but managed to rally on
hearing some persons cry, 'Cease firing,' which conveyed to me the
impression that they were trying to surrender the fort.

"Again I urged my staff, the few officers left unhurt, and the men
around me, to renewed exertions, assuring them that Sherman would
soon be there with reinforcements. The gallant fellows struggled to
keep their heads above the ditch and parapet in face of the murderous
fire of the enemy, now concentrated upon us. The artillery was
silent, and a brave fellow, whose name I regret having forgotten,
volunteered to cross the railway cut which was under fire of the
enemy and go to the fort on the east hill to procure ammunition.
Having executed his mission successfully, he returned in a short time
with an arm load of canister and case shot. About 2:30 p. m. the
enemy were observed massing a force behind a small house and the
ridge on which the house was located distant northwest from the fort
about 150 yards. The dead and wounded were moved aside so as to
enable us to move a piece of artillery to an embrasure commanding the
house and ridge. A few shots from the gun threw the enemy's column
into great confusion, which being observed by our men, caused them to
rush to the parapet and open such a heavy and continuous musketry
fire that it was impossible for the enemy to rally. From this time
until near 4 p. m. we had the advantage of the enemy, and maintained
it with such success that they were driven from every position and
finally fled in confusion, leaving their dead and wounded, and our
little garrison in possession of the field.

"The hill east of the cut was gallantly and successfully defended by