y, soldierly bearing of the men as they passed. They
formed in two lines of battle, in rear of the skirmish line of the first
brigade, the Seventy-seventh on the right of the line, then the Seventh
Maine, and then the Forty-ninth. The Forty-third New York, Sixty-first
Pennsylvania, and One Hundred and Twenty-second New York forming the
second line. The advance line was in charge of Colonel French.

According to preconcerted arrangements, Colonel Bidwell was to signify
to General Wright, who remained in the fort, his readiness for the
attack by a signal from the new flag of the Seventy-seventh, which had
not yet been baptized in battle; then the great guns in the fort were to
open a storm of shells upon the rebel position, especially upon a house
behind which and in which numbers of rebels had all day found refuge;
then General Wright was to signal from the fort the command to advance
and the brigade was to rush to the charge.

Thus, with a perfect understanding on the part of all concerned, the
brigade took its place.

The flag of the Seventy-seventh waved the signal of readiness, the heavy
ordnance in the fort sent volley after volley of thirty-two pound shells
howling over the heads of our men into the midst of the rebels, and
through the house where so many of them had found shelter, and then at
the command of Sedgwick's "man of iron," the brave fellows started
eagerly forward. They reached and passed the skirmishers, and the white
puffs of smoke and the sharp crack from their rifles became more and
more frequent, first the rattle of an active skirmish, and then the
continuous roar of a musketry battle.

In magnificent order and with light steps they ran forward, up the
ascent, through the orchard, through the little grove on the right, over
the rail fence, up to the road, making straight for the first objective
point, the frame house in front. The rebels at first stood their ground,
then gave way before the impetuous charge.

The President, the members of his cabinet and the ladies, as well as the
military officers in the fort, and the crowd of soldiers and citizens,
who had gathered about it to witness the fight, watched with breathless
interest the gallant advance as our boys pushed forward, keeping their
line of battle perfect, except when now and then some regiment having
the advantage of ground, in its eagerness got a little in advance of
others, until they saw the rebels take to flight. Then the crowd at t