Show BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS Wisconsin Veteran Gives Graphic Account Ac Ac- count of Struggle and Death of General Wadsworth Wadsworth's Valsworth's division fought on May l 5 6 In the Fifth corps and in the late I afternoon r reformed formed in the Lacy field I with Baxters Baxter's brigade of Robinsons Robinson's division added to his own O division Han Hancock ock was fighting hard on the Plank road with his right flank extended extended ex ex- tended a short distance over the road General Wadsworth rth was directed by Warren to march against the confederate erate crate left flank then fighting Hancock Wadsworth did lid not go far into the dense woods until he met a heavy skirmish line Hue protecting the confederate confederate coated coated- erate crate flank The skirmishers yielded quickly and reported the approach of ot ofa ofa ota a force on their flank Gen Roy Stone commanded a splendid splendid did Pennsylvania brigade composed of the One Oe Hundred and Forty I i a I P X f S The Fighting Was Hard J One Hundred and ninth Forty One OneHundred OneHundred OneHundred Hundred and Fiftieth and One Hundred Hundred Hundred Hun Hun- dred and first Fifty-first I 1 think writes Maj Earl M. M Rogers of VIroqua Wis Vis In National Tribune At midnight Wadsworth 3 ent nt an aid back to Warren Warren notifying him that the density of the woods and darkness prevented further advance and requested requested requested re re- re- re quested orders The aid returned with Instructions to to move forward forward at 4 30 and report td to Hancock Captain Monteith Monteith Mon- Mon was sent to the ammunition train to bring up cartridges He reached the train awoke Sergeant Watrous who had mules packed and they made mad their wa way to the fhe line at the hour to move It was but a short march where connection was made with Han Han- cock The confederate left flank beIng being be be- ing exposed they withdrew with during the night to a distance that relieved their flank General Hancock moved his troops to the left with his right on the Plank road and directed General Wadsworth to make a change of front with left on the Plank road and in inline inline line Une with the corps In executing executing executing exe exe- this change of front Wadsworth's Wads Wads- worth's Jine in bec became me disconnected forming gaps owing to the density of the wilderness A perfect division alignment or even brigade connection seemed Impossible A forward movement move movement moxie move ment was made when the confederate line fell back The fighting was hard Limbs and small trees fell from musket musket mus mus- ket firing which added more confusion to the battle The difficulty of a mounted mount mount- ed officer riding In the woods led General Wadsworth to rein to the ditch on the right side of the Plank road where his horse was shot The general mounted a led horse kept in inthe inthe the ditch and only went a few yards when the second horse was killed Mounting a third horse hoise he was cautioned cautioned cau cau- of the danger langer and reined a few feet to the right of the Plank road In Inthe Inthe inthe the thick timber Umber The battle up t to this time was well ivell with Hancocks Hancock's command There was a lull then the confederates pushed hard and fought fierce fierce- I ly General Wadsworth had rec received troops from tram the Ninth corps Word Vord came to Hancock to look out for nis left as the Second corps corps was goir away The confederates were passing off left when he tried to wheel the troops to the left when hen he was close onto an Alabama brigade which charged and overlapped lapped Wadsworth's right The Union line went back in much confusion General Wadsworth did not r rein in in his horse to the rear for an I instant Ills Ills Ills' staff starr save the writer were ere away trying to save the line and when the general did rein his horse to the rear every man was making in that direction His last view was his retreating division It flashed through my mind Two cannot live one must go when a ball went through the generals general's brain and splashed my coat Then my horse fell feli The confederates could not have ha been more than 30 feet The general fell on his back He had an outside pocket In which he carried his watch which I reached to take but rifle balls and unpleasant yells halted baited me I ran back a short distance where I found the generals general's horse with the therein therein therein rein caught on a snag I vaulted Into the saddle and was WILB soon with tha the Sixth Wisconsin |