Today in History:

684 Series I Volume XIX-I Serial 27 - Antietam Part I

Page 684 OPERATIONS IN N.VA.,W.VA.,MD.,AND PA. Chapter XXXI.

completed. They had got along up to the color company. I stood directly in rear of the color company, within 5 feet of the line, at the time. Suddenly we heard a clattering among the stones; you could see nothing; I supposed it was the major's horse floundering amount the stones; but it turned out to be a body of the enemy's cavalry that made a dash at us and delivered a fire from carbines, as I supposed. I immediately ordered my regiment to return the fire; I repeated it about three times. I found they did not return it, and I ordered the One hundred and eleventh Regiment to cease firing. We held our position; I looked about as well as I could; we could see nothing; I found one dead man lying pretty near me; I could not tell who it was. I got some matches from one of the soldiers, and rubbed and tried to make out the man's face, but it was all covered with blood. I went on until I found 4 men killed and 1 very seriously wounded; I sent him to the hospital tent in our camp, but he died before morning. That made 5 killed. I do not know how many were wounded, 9 or 10, mostly slightly wounded. One man was wounded in the breast, and another had a little finger shot off-some little things of that kind.

By the COURT:

Question. Those were your own men?

Answer. Yes, sir. I could not tell how many of the rebels were killed, or whether any of them were, until the next day. When they came into our camp they told us we had killed 20 of them and wounded a number more. That is all I know about it. I did not see them. We remained there in line until daylight, as had been ordered.

Captain JOHN C. PHILLIPS, called by General White, and sworn and examined as follows:

By General WHITE:

Question. What position do you hold in the United States service?

Answer. Captain in the Second Regiment Illinois Light Artillery.

Question. Did you command a battery during the siege of Harper's Ferry?

Answer. Yes, sir.

Question. What guns had you there?

Answer. Four James rifled 6-pounders.

Question. Did you enter Harper's Ferry under my command form Martinsburg?

Answer. Yes, sir.

Question. At the time of the surrender, on Monday morning, the 15th of September, what ammunition had you left for those guns?

Answer. I had about 40 rounds of canister; that was all, with the exception of some long-range shell that were unfit for use, too large for the bore; so that I could not use them.

Question. The canister was the only ammunition that was available?

Answer. Yes, sir; for over 300 to 500 yards.

Question. Had you made any requisition for supplies of ammunition?

Answer. Yes, sir; three times during that engagement.

Question. What were you told in reply?

Answer. The first time I got some 200 rounds. The second time, I think, I got 25 rounds. When I got the 25 rounds they said there was no more that would fit my guns.

Question. Did you expend all that ammunition?

Answer. Yes, sir; and afterward got some from Captain Rigby on Sunday night.

Question. And expended that also?

Answer. Yes, sir; on Monday morning; that was all I had.


Page 684 OPERATIONS IN N.VA.,W.VA.,MD.,AND PA. Chapter XXXI.