But you’ll not forget me mother.
If I’m numbered with the slain.
CHAPTER IX.
On the morning of the 16th of May, 1863, a day long to be remembered by some of us. We were called into line at an early hour, but some time elapsed before the plan of the march was decided upon by the generals. Finally Osterhos and Carr moved by the way of Raymond, and Hovey and Logan by the way of Champion Hill. General Quinby was in the rear guarding the trains.
After we had advanced a few miles we met some straggling rebels who reported that the rebels were in full force on the Raymond Road, but had pitched their battle ground on Champion Hill, near the forks of the road.
After a six-mile march we ran up against the rebels, posted in a natural fortification, made by the circling road that curved round the hill. Logan moved his division up and took a position on the extreme right flank, in line of battle. Hovey’s division was formed next to Logan’s and Osterhos’, Carr’s and Smith’s division were on the left on the Raymond Road.
At ten o’clock Company A was ordered on to the skirmish line. We charged up within sixty yards of the main rebel line which was formed in the edge of the woods. This brought on the engagement and it was general all along the lines of Logan and Hovey. Our company having one man wounded, while getting here, fell down in a hollow. The air above us was blue, and the roaring of the guns and the whizzing of shot and shell was fearful.
At one time I thought that Company A was lost. The rebels in a solid mass, charged one of Logan’s batteries, which was 150 yards to our right and rear. They were repulsed with great slaughter, and they were driven back past us faster than they had come. It was terrible to look upon the slaughter of that desperate charge. The only musket balls which I ever saw used, were at this place. By the use of them the rebels in our front tried to shell us out of that hollow ravine.