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dare ye, sorr, address such language to yure supayrior officer,—I'll rayport ye, sorr.’
‘Yes,’ shouted Lieut. Hinks, ‘And I'll prefer charges against you.’
This passage at arms was kept up for some time, to the amusement of the men and resulted in an estrangement between the two officers which lasted for some time.
From one of the houses where a girl had declared there was no one but her ‘poor, old blind father’ a rifle was fired and on investigation a rebel was caught with a gun, hot from the discharge.
He was taken out just as the Twentieth Massachusetts regiment was marching rapidly up the street and was forced to march directly ahead of their leading file.
As the regiment reached Caroline street and received the terrible volley from Barksdale's brigade this man fell dead.
The arrival and engagement of the Twentieth Massachusetts enabled the Nineteenth's left to regain its position on Caroline street, which was maintained, with a constant exchange of shots, for more than an hour after sunset.
Here was found the body of private Michael Redding, of Company D, who had fallen at the charge of the regiment up the street and when the line was forced back, he was left lying where he fell.
A comrade had offered to take him on his back on the retreat, but he said, ‘No, you'll be back again shortly and I'll sit here and wait for you.’
When the men returned, however, his body was found to have been pierced in seven places with bayonet wounds, he having been killed in this manner while lying there wounded.
Near here was found the dead body of the lonely cow, previously mentioned, and she was rapidly cut up into steaks which were greatly enjoyed.
In the houses were found eggs and other articles of food which the men ‘borrowed.’
During the progress of the fighting, John Thompson, of Company F, whose request to be allowed to go into action with the men is already chronicled, came to Lieut. Hill and asked permission to go a short distance to the rear and get the musket of a wounded man who was lying there, his own having been fired so
Salem Press. Co., Salem, Ma., 1906.
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