roadway and down which the Confederates moved with ease. This alone averted the fate which befell Potter. Here the line was established just in time to hold the Confederates to the timber, they having become somewhat disorganized by their pursuit. Potter had by this time re-formed, but the belief that some of his command still lingered on the same ground over which they had fought, and the sight of men. here and there dressed partly in blue, created the impression that some Union troops were still in front. Officers in all directions called loudly not to fire; but the men knew better, and, notwithstanding the command, the fire opened just in time to save a disaster. For full thirty minutes Griffin's men stood in the open receiving the fire of the Confederates, who were sheltered by the woods. There were no supports in view. Ammunition was taken from the dead to fight with by men whose supply became exhausted. There was much wavering hesitancy and doubt; but Griffin came along with his resolute, heroic bearing and gave assuring words and the lines stiffened. He had ordered up Mink, the one-armed artilleryman of intrepid valor, and had instructed him to push right up to the front. "The front" meant the skirmish line. for Mink. Requesting the commanding officer of the 118th to throw back three companies, to permit the placing of a section of his battery, he rolled out his commands, "Double shot with canister, and fire by sections," and poured in such an effective fire that nothing could withstand it, and the woods were soon cleared of the enemy. This was just about the close of the day, and the fight necessarily ceased as darkness enveloped the troops. MAP SHOWING CONDITION OF MAIN LINES, OCTOBER 27, 1864. Being the result of the battles of Weldon RR. and Poplar Spring Church. The black lines show the positions the Union troops took upon the evening of the 30th of September and afterwards fortified. A new line was now established, occupied by Ayres on the right, Griffin on the left of Ayres, Potter next on the left of Griffin, and Willcox on Potter's left. Mott's division of the Second Corps arrived on Parke's left in the afternoon of the 1st of October, and on the 2d of October Parke advanced and established a line of intrenchments about one mile from the enemy's, connecting on the right with the line held by the Fifth Corps. This was connected with the Weldon Railroad works, having its proper number of redoubts and batteries. On the evening of the 1st of October, however, the Confederates made a feeble attempt to assault the position held by the Fifth Corps, but it was easily repulsed. Lieutenant-Colonel Otis was severely wounded. On the 2d of October the Maryland brigade was pushed forward about one mile on a reconnaissance, supported by the 5th and 140th New York. They remained a few hours, and were withdrawn. The following-named officers were either killed or mortally wounded in the battle of Poplar Spring Church (or Peebles' and Pegram's farms), September 30th, 1864: Maine.-Captain Weston H. Keene, 20th. Michigan.-Captain James A. Wheaton, Ist; Colonel Norval E. Welch, 16th. Pennsylvania.--Captain Charles M. Young and Lieutenant John Conahey, 118th. United States Army.-Lieutenant Thomas D. Urmston, 12th. |