the
four companies on the right of the regiment, C, D, G and K,
twenty-five or thirty paces to the front, where a slight
depression in the ground secured them from the eyes, if not
the projectiles, of the enemy. After being deployed by the
flank on the right of the second company from the right, the
command advanced in ordinary quick step against the
objective point. Emerging from the swale into view, it
became at once the target for a seemingly redoubled fire,
not only from the fort in front, but also from the one on
_its_ right. The fire of the latter had been reported
silenced, but instead, from its position to the left
oblique, it proved even more destructive than that of the
one in front.

"'Both forts were most advantageously situated for defense,
at the extremity of a plain, variously estimated at from 500
to 700 yards wide, whose dead level surface afforded at no
point shelter from view or shot to an assailing party. The
forts were connected by a curtain of rifle-pits containing a
re-entrant angle, thus providing for a reciprocal enfilading
fire in case either was attacked.

"'The nature of the ground and the small altitude of the
ordnance above the level of the plain also made the fire in
the nature of a ricochet.

"'As the party advanced the enemy's shell and schrapnel were
exchanged for grape and cannister, followed soon by a lively
rattle of musketry. When within range of the latter, and
after having traversed about three-fourths of the distance,
the order to charge was given and obeyed with an alacrity
that seemed to make the execution almost precede the order.
For a moment, judging from the slacking of their fire, the
enemy seemed to be affected by a panicky astonishment, but
soon recovering, they opened again with cannister and
musketry, which, at the shorter range, tore through the
ranks with deadlier effect. Capt. Smith and Lieut. Prime,
both of Company G, here fell grievously wounded, while forty
or fifty enlisted-men dotted the plain with their prostrate
forms.

"'In a few minutes the ditch of the fort was reached. It was
some six or seven feet deep and ten or twelve wide, the
excavated material sufficing for the embankments of the
fort. Some 120 men and officers precipitated themselves into