Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 182, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1910 — STORIES OF CAMP AND WAR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

STORIES OF CAMP AND WAR

3ATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS Wisconsin Veteran Gives Graphic Account of Struggle and Death of General Wadsworth. Wadsworth’s division fought on May 5 in the Fifth corps, and in the late afternoon reformed In the Lacy field, with Baxter’s brigade of Robinson’s division added to his own division. Hancock was fighting hard on the Plank road, with his right flank extended a short distance over, the road. General Wadsworth was directed by Warren to march against the. confederate left flank, then fighting Hancock. Wadsworth did not go far into the dense woods until he met a heavy skirmish line protecting the confederate flank. The skirmishers yielded quickly, and reported the approach of a force on their flank. Gen. Roy Stone commanded a splendid Pennsylvania brigade, composed of the One Hundred and Forty-eight.

One Hundred and Forty-ninth, One Hundred and Fiftieth and One Hundred and Fifty-first, I think, writes Maj. Earl M. Rogers of Viroqua, Wis., in National Tribune. At midnight Wadsworth sent an aid back to Warren, notifying him that the density of the woods and darkness prevented further advance and requested orders. The aid returned with instructions to move forward at 4:30, and report to Hancock. Captain Monteith was sent to the ammunition train to bring up cartridges. He reached the train, awoke Sergeant Watrous, who had mules packed, and they made their way to the line at the hour to move. It was but a short march, where connection waa made with Hancock. The confederate left flank being exposed, they withdrew during the night to a distance that relieved their flank. General Hancock moved his troops to the left, with his right on the Plank road, and directed General Wadsworth to make a change of front, with left on the Plank road, and in line with the Secords corps. In executing this change of front Wadsworth’s line became disconnected, forming gaps, owing to the density of the wilderness. A perfect division alignment or even brigade connection seemed impossible. A forward movement was made, when the confederate line felj back. The fighting was hard. , Limbs and small trees fell from musket firing, which added more confusion to the battle. The difficulty of a mounted ofllcer riding in the woods led General Wadsworth to rein to the ditch on the right side of the Plank road, where his horse was shot. The general mounted a led horse, kept in the ditch, and only went a few yards when the second horse was killed. Mounting a third horse, he wds cautioned of the danger, and reined a few feet to the right of the Plank road in the thick timber. The battle up to this time was well with Hancock's command. There was a lull; then the confederates pushed hard and fought fiercely. General Wadsworth had received troops from the Ninth corps. Word came to Hancock to look out for his left, as the Second corps was going away. The confederates were passing off left when he tried to wheel the troops to the left, when he was close onto an Alabama brigade, which charged and overlapped Wadsworth’s right. The Union line went back In much confusion. General Wadsworth did not rein in his horse to the rear for an Instant. His staff, save the writer, were away trying to save the line, and when the general did rein his horse to the rear every man was making in that direction. His last view was his retreating division. It flashed through my mind, "Two cannot live; one must go!” when a ball went through the general’s brain and Bplashed my coat Then my horse fell. The confederates could not have been more than 30 feet The general fell on his back. He had an outside pocket in which he carried his watch, which I reached to take, but rifle bills and unpleasant yells halted me,, I ran back a short distance, where t found the general’s horse with the rein caught on a snag. I vaulted into the sriddle, and was soon with the Sixth Wisconsin.

The Fighting Was Hard.