The Maine bugle ... campaign; 1-5 Jan. 1894-Oct. 1898 - Maine.gov

54 THE MAINE BUGLE.
morning, found a listening ear with him. "Advance! Drive
" were his repeated orders, To
the enemy from the works !
his determined bravery, tenacity, and skill on this occasion the
country owes more than to that of any other one officer either
in the army or navy.
It was now quite dark, but the battle was not ended. At
some points the different brigades were mixed up. Here it
was a soldiers' fight. The men would wait until there were
enough together for a charge, then some officer would form
them into line, and they would rush up a traverse and over;
when they came against the enemy it was cold steel or the butt
of a gun. At other places the contending forces would blaze
away into the darkness. They would throw themselves on the
ground and then come alternately crawling or running for
position. Hoarse voices were shouting orders, and from the
huge round traverses, that looked like great sea-billows toppling
over to engulf all before them, shadowy forms of friend and
foe were seen in confused masses.
While the first assault of the combined forces was progress-
ing, the fire of the navy ceased ; but after the repulse of the
sailors and marines it was recommenced. At first it was
directed at the southern portion of the sea-face, including the
Mound and Battery Buchanan; but later on the fire was
changed so as to include a large part of the land-face. It was
attempted to fire on the traverses in front of our men and not
yet occupied by them. But it was too close work, certainly for
night-firing, and the consequence was that many of the shells
fell in the traverses held by the Federals, killing and wounding
them by the score. The enemy still kept up an impetuous
resistance, and would not permit darkness to put an end to
hostilities. They continued the fire from the Mound on the
interior of the fort, while the navy maintained its fire as
described, both navy and Confederate shot falling in many
places amid friend and foe. The bursting of shell, the rattling
of musketry, the shouts of the men, and the groans of the
wounded, all united to make up a perfect pandemonium. In
the midst of this scene Ames sent an officer to Terry to signal