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of the men actually entered the second line of the rebels, the farthest point reached that day.
General Walker further says: ‘This enthusiasm of the charging column was in itself commendable, but, taken in connection with the original dense formation, it had led to an unnecessary and dangerous massing of the troops.
Such a body was, for the purpose of the impending collision, scarcely as formidable as would have been a single well-ordered line.’
During the battle in the afternoon, General Hancock visited the line, stopped a while and watched the powderbe-grimmed men shoot at the rebels and eat hardtack, and then rode coolly away among the swift flying bullets, at a walk.
During the battle-so closely were the forces engaged— several color bearers were shot down and half of the Nineteenth were either killed, wounded or captured.
Among the latter was Colonel Edmund Rice, in command of the regiment, and in this action the regiment also lost one of its bravest officers, First Lieutenant John J. Ferris, of Boston.
He was shot in the head during the charge on the rebel works.
The Corps captured 5,000 prisoners, including Major General Edward Johnson and Brigadier General George H. Stewart, over thirty stands of colors and 18 cannon.
Sergeant Charles B. Brown, of Co. G, bearing the regimental colors, was struck by the fragments of a shell which burst near him. His right leg was taken almost off by the explosion, and his left leg was badly mangled.
Just as the Wilderness Campaign had opened, Sergeant Brown had received from Major General Butler an appointment as First Lieutenant in the General's department, dated April 26, 1864.
Without seeking leave or orders to report under that appointment he had put the document in his pocket and entered the hard fighting.
Immediately after being wounded, he drew from his pocket his unused commission as Lieutenant, now stained with his blood, and a likeness of his betrothed, and told his comrades to send these home with the news of his death.
He lay upon the battlefield over an hour and then was driven three miles in an ambulance to the field hospital where he died early on the following
Salem Press. Co., Salem, Ma., 1906.
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