USA > Pennsylvania > History of the twenty third Pennsylvania volunteer infantry, Birney's zouaves 1861-1865; comp. by the secretary > Part 7
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A WOUNDED PICKET.
1
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALEXANDER SHALER, Brigadier-General, Commanding Brigade.
Assistant Adjutant-General,
Second Division, Twelfth Corps.
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PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
General John W. Geary, commanding the Second Divi- sion, Twelfth Corps, in his report on Gettysburg, states, relative to Shaler's Brigade : * * * "About 8 A. M. the enemy doubled their efforts, and, massin'g all the force against us that the ground would admit, pressed forward with an evident determination to carry the posi- tion at all hazards. Our entire line was hotly engaged, and, fear- ing that the overwhelming force might prove too much for us, General Slocum was solicited for reinforcements, and General Alexander Shaler's (First) Brig- ade, Third Division, Sixth Corps, reported at 8.45 o'clock, and was posted as a reserve. Ten min- utes before the arrival of this brigade, the Fourteenth Brooklyn DAVID APPLEGATE, Corporal Co. G. Killed at Cold Harbor June 1, 1864. and One Hundred and Forty- seventh New York Volunteers (both together about 150 strong) reported again from General Wadsworth's division, and were sent in to re-enforce Kane's Brigade, on the right. They were shortly afterwards relieved by Candy's and Lockwood's troops. Instructions having been given me not to actively engage Shaler's brigade unless una- voidable, only a portion of it was employed briefly. Those engaged displayed the accustomed gallantry, which has en- rolled Shaler's brigade among the best veterans of the army.
"At 9 A. M., the One Hundred and Twenty-second New York (Col. Silas Titus), of this brigade, relieved the One Hun- dred and Eleventh Pennsylvania, of Kane's which had been engaged in the front line all the morning, and whose ammunition was failing. The Eighty-second Pennsylvania, (Colonel Isaac S. Bassett), Shaler's Brigade, relieved the One Hundred and Twenty-second New York after our occupancy of the breastworks."
" At 9.20 o'clock the Twenty-third Pennsylvania (Colonel John F. Glenn,) of the same brigade, was placed in support of the front line, about 150 yards to the rear, and subsequently five companies of it was deployed by my order in rear of the
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
works, and advanced into them. Toward the end of the en- gagement, a portion of them was pushed out a few paces as skirmishers, but the impracticability of feeling the enemy with skirmishers was demonstrated by their increased fire, and they were withdrawn."
" The Sixty-fifth (Colonel Joseph E. Hamblin), the Sixy- seventh New York (Colonel Nelson Cross), and Eighty-second Pennsylvania, were placed well to the front, after the enemy had been driven back, to resist any renewed demonstration of hos- tility on the part of the enemy, while several already over- worked regiments of my division were allowed a much needed respite, for their energies, which had been so many hours, stretched to their utmost tension. They were not, however, called upon for further operations.
"About 2 o'clock the brigade was ordered to rejoin the corps. While subject to my order, it behaved with admirable coolness, and manifested to an eminent degree the possession of the greatest attributes of the soldier, both during the brief period (as per orders) they were actively engaged and while under heavy fire, as they awaited the moment they might be called upon.
"Their casualties num- bered in the aggregate forty- five - eleven enlisted men being killed.
"Their brave and efficient commander, Brigadier General Alexander Shaler is entitled to the warmest eulogies for his readiness to participate in any measure to provide for the emergencies besetting us."
When it was discovered WILLIAM GRAHAM, Co. G. Died of wounds received at Cold Harbor June, 1564 .. that Lee had retreated, the Sixth Corps, on the morning of the 5th, moved out the road to the right of Little Round Top. When about five miles from Gettysburg, the Corps struck Lee's rear guard, on the Cham- bersburg Pike, skirmishing with him to Fairfield. During the night the regiment was on picket, capturing eighty-five prison-
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PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
ers. Abandoning the direct line of pursuit, the Corps moved to the left, through Emmettsburg, and attempted to cross the mountains with artillery to Middletown ; but, the road being a very difficult one, the night dark, and'the rain descending in tor- rents, the guns were soon fast in the mud, and had to be taken apart before they could be got back on the main road through Frederick. A fragment of the Corps reached the Summit at midnight, while the greater por- tion were either resting on the road or lost on the march up. At daylight of the 9th, the regiment was moved to the sup- port of the cavalry and placed on the skirmish line. Loss, two men wounded. On the 10th and I Ith, they had a severe skirmish. with the enemy at Funkstown JOHN WILSON, Co. G. Killed at Cold Harbor June 1, 1864. -loss, several men wounded. On the 12th, it was ascertained that the enemy had fallen back, during the previous night, to a strongly entrenched position on the heights about Williamsport. Our lines were formed at once in front of it, with orders to build breastworks and to be in readiness to assault the enemy's breastworks at daylight. The order for attack, however, was countermanded and the troops remained inactive all of that day. During the night Lee re- crossed the Potomac.
Upon an examination of the works which he abandoned they were found to have been equally as strong as his entrench- ments at Mine Run or Cold Harbor. The Twenty-third then marched back to Berlin, where it was supplied with clothing.
On the 19th, the Corps proceeded to Manassas Gap, sup- porting the Third and Fifth Corps in their passage through that gap. From here it moved to Chester Gap, thence to Warrenton, where it laid out camp, decorating the grounds in an elaborate and tasteful manner, with the view of permanent quarters. On August 15th, with other troops of the Corps, the regiment was sent to the mouth of the North Fork of the Rappahannock, on a reconnoissance ; five companies were left
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
at the cross-roads of the Orleans and Waterloo Pike, the other portion of the regiment guarding the fords and bridges of the river. On the 17th it was relieved and returned to its old camp, where it was joined by Major Wallace, with one hundred and fifty-six drafted men from Philadelphia. The majority of these men were of little ser- vice, as they were substitutes for men who had been drafted- in fact, were bounty-jumpers, nearly all deserting within a few weeks. Those who remained became good soldiers, several being killed or wounded.
Shortly afterwards, the brigade was detached from the Third -Division and assigned to the Second Division under General Howell. September EDWARD F. EISENBARTH, Co. K. Killed at Cold Harbor. 4th, the officers of the regiment gave a reception to the brig- ade officers, at which General Birney, of the Third Corps ; General Terry, Division Commander ; Generals Wheaton and Shaler, with their staffs, were guests, and as were all of the affairs of the Twenty-third, it was "hunkey-dorey."
During the dog days, division drills came every day and inspection on Sundays ; sunstroke was not uncommon, it being necessary to establish hospitals on the drill grounds. While at Warrenton many men of the regiment were detailed as safety guards and enjoyed the hospitality of the sympathizing Confederate residents, as all their able-bodied men were in the Confederate Army, either with Lee or Mosby. While here the boys were careful to keep within the lines, because if cap- tured, they would be sure to go to Richmond, as strong bands of Confederate cavalry were constantly hovering about. Some of the men became careless, nevertheless, and a few were cap- tured, one of the latter belonging to the Signal Corps of the Division.
September 16th the regiment broke camp and moved to the vicinity of Culpepper. Along with the rest of the brigade it was paraded at headquarters to witness the execution of one
£
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105
HOT COFFEE AN
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VOLUNTEER REFRESHMENT SALOON AND COOPER SHOP, PHILADELPHIA, PA. Where the Soldiers were Provided for Going and Returning from the Front During the Entire War.
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
of the men of the One Hundred and Twenty-second New York, who had been sentenced to be shot for desertion. When every- thing was ready for the execution, Adjutant Boggs stepped to the front of the line and read a pardon from President Lincoln. Everybody seemed satisfied at this termination, and " Old Abe " was commended for his kindness of heart.
October Ist the Twenty- third moved with the Sixth Corps to Catletts' Station ; here it remained on fatigue and picket duty until the 12th, when all the rolling stock of the road, with government stores, arrived at Warrenton Junction, and Captain Rees, with four companies, was detailed to guard them. Late FREDERICK HUBER, Ist Sergt. Co. F. Killed Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862. the same evening it was rumored that the enemy was advancing, and the Twenty-third and one company of the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry was sent to re-enforce the guard. During the night General Shaler arrived with the balance of the brigade, and at daylight the rest of the corps arrived and the stores were safe. On the 15th the brigade marched to Centreville, where they were formed in line of battle, while the Second Corps was in action at Bristow Station. At 3 A. M. the regiment marched to Chantilly, where it again formed line of battle, but the rebel commander did not seem desirious of a conflict and began to retire.
The Sixth Corps then continued its forward movement, and, after considerable skirmishing, reached Warrenton on the 21st, going into Camp in its old quarters.
On November 7th they marched to Rappahannock Station. where the brigade drove the enemy's skirmishers back to their line of works, which consisted of a redoubt with four pieces of artillery and entrenchments right and left, covering a pontoon bridge, with the Brigades of Hokes and Haves holding the pos- ition. The assaulting party consisted of the Fifth Wisconsin, Sixth Maine, Forty-ninth and One hundred and Nineteenth
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2
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PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
Pennsylvania and One Hundred and Twenty-first New York. These troops were commanded by General David A. Russell, Colonel Ellmaker the brigade, and General Upton, the assault- ing column numbering thirteen hundred muskets. The move- ment resulted in the capture of the entire position, including 1600 prisoners, 130 commissioned officers, eight battle flags, four pieces of artillery and destruction of the pontoon bridge.
The following congratulatory letter from General Sedg- wick, Commander of the Sixth Corps, was read to the Corps :
"Headquarters of the Right Column,
November 8th, 1863.
General Order No. I.
The General commanding the right column, congratulates the troops of his command on the admirable success which attended the operations of yesterday. The enemy was attacked in an entrenched position of great strength, in enclosed works defended by artillery and infantry, and compelled to surrender, after a sharp conflict, to an assaulting column actually inferior in numbers to the forces defending the works. Four pieces of artillery, four caissons filled with ammuni- tion, the enemy's pontoon bridge, eight battle-flags, 2000 stands of small arms, 1600 prisoners, includ- ing 130 commissioned officers, are the fruits of the victory.
The prompt advance of the Fifth Corps to the river from the 'right of its line, simultaneously with the troops of the Sixth Corps, are worthy of high praise.
The taking of the heights on the right by Neill and Shaler's brigades of the Sixth Corps under General Howe-to obtain position for the batteries-was admirably accomplished.
-
.
The assault of the storming JOSHUA S. GARSED, party, under General Russell, con- Lieut. Co. B. Killed at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. ducted over rough open ground in full fire of the works, could not be surpassed in steadiness and gallantry.
The brigades of Colonel Ellmaker and Colonel Upton, and the troops of the Sixth Corps, which participated in the assault, have
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
nobly earned the admiration and gratitude of their commander and commanders.
The Sixth Maine and Fifth Wisconsin Volunteers, for carrying the redoubts ; One Hundred and Twenty-first New York, Fifth Maine, Forty-ninth and One Hundred and Nineteenth Pennsylvania Volunteers, for taking the line of rifle pits with the bayonet and seizing the enemy's bridge, deserve special honor.
By command of Major-General Sedgwick,
M. T. McMAHON.
Chief of Staff and Asst. Adj. - General."
The next day the regiment was detailed with the Thirty- seventh Massachusetts, Second Rhode Island and Sixty-fifth New York, under the command of General Eustis, and marched to Kelly's Ford and crossed the river, and assisted in destroying the rebel fortifications. One of the forts had a checkered history. It was first built by the troops under General Pope and faced to the south. When Lee ap- proached the right bank of the river it changed its face to the north. Upon Meade's advance to Culpepper about face was the order, and it again looked to the south. As Lee advanced on the retreat of the Army of the Potomac to Centerville it was elaborately reconstructed and was made to again face to the north. Now for the fifth time the boys were hard at work putting it in shape to again face the advancing column. On the 13th the regiment was relieved by the 10th Massachusetts, im- mediately afterward rejoining the brigade in camp near Brandy Station, remaining until the 27th, when the Mine Run campaign commenced. After MAJOR WM. CLARK. Capt. Co. E, 23rd P. V and Major szd P. V. crossing the Rapidan at Ger- mania Ford, a half mile from the river, it formed in line where General French's troops had been engaged. The next day it marched to Robinson's Tavern, and moved to the support of the First and Second
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PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
Divisions of the Sixth Corps. charging the enemy at Chancel- lorsville Pike and driving them back to their works at Mine Run.
On Sunday morning, the 29th, the Twenty-third was ordered to the support of Gregg's Cavalry, and on the 30th it was assigned to the extreme left of the line with orders to prepare for a charge of the enemy's works. The charge was never made, as General Warren, then Chief of Staff of Meade's Army, reported the works impregnable and the assault was abandoned. While lying here, we discerned in our front, what at first appeared to be several ambulances, but which subse- quently proved to be a masked battery, when suddenly they threw off the tarpaulin covers and opened a terrific fire on our lines, killing and wounding seven of the Twenty-third.
Lying exposed to the cold and without fires, on the night of December Ist the whole army fell back, our regiment passing through Chancellorsville, the Gold Mines, and crossing at Ger- mania Ford, finally reaching its old camp ; loss, I killed and 7 wounded.
On December 6th Colonel Ely resigned on account of wounds and sickness, and was succeeded as Colonel by Lieu- tenant-Colonel John F. Glenn. Major William J. Wallace was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and Captain Henry Reese to Major.
The friends of the Twenty- third in Philadelphia gave a ball at Sansom Street Hall for the benefit of the regiment. With the proceeds was pur- chased six hundred pairs of woolen gloves, and a new stand of colors containing a list of the battles in which the regiment participated inscribed thereon, all being received by the regi- JAMES TATE, Drummer. Co. E. ment while in the field. A short time previously the ladies of Bucks County, friends of Col- onel Ely, sent the enlisted men ear comforters, so that the boys were fairly protected, through the kindess of friends, from the chilly blasts of the severe winter.
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
.
While in camp at this place one hundred medals were struck off by Colonel Ely for such of the enlisted men as were designated by the company officers as most deserving of merit for gallantry in the charge at ,Marye's Heights. The distribution of these medals caused considerable dissatis- faction throughout the regiment.
On December 30th two hundred of the command re- enlisted as veteran volunteers, and proceeded to Philadelphia under command of Colonel Glenn, on veteran furlough, the balance of the regiment remain- ing in camp at Brandy Station, under Lieut .- Colonel Wallace, the camp being situated on a hill to the right of the sta- tion near Meade's headquarters. JAMES HENRY, Co. F. Here winter quarters were es- tablished, many of the men build- ing elegant log houses, which contained all the comforts pos- sible. The usual winter work of picket duty, diversified with occasional expeditions in search of Mosby's men in that locality, constituted our duties, until January 6th when, with the brigade, the regiment was ordered to intercept a movement of the Confederates threatening Washington, this turned out to be false, and while lying in the streets of Wash- ington enjoying a snow storm waiting orders, the brigade was ordered to Johnson's Island, Sandusky Bay, in Lake Erie, opposite Sandusky, Ohio, to guard rebel prisoners; it being rumored at the time that rebel sympathizers were organizing in Canada to cross the ice and liberate the 4200 officers confined there; the object of this move, as stated, being to send these officers to the West where they were to gather about them those who were in sympathy with the Confederate cause, perfect them in the tactics, and afterward seize arsenals and stores, destroy bridges and in every way assist the Confederate Government. At this time the prison was guarded by " Home Guards" and " one hundred days' men." The winter had been so severe that the bay
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PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
was frozen from shore to shore, and the Island could readily be reached by that means. The arrival of the brigade prevented the consummation of this contemplated movement. The regi- ment started for Johnson's Island from the front over the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad in cattle cars-the kind in use in those days-in mid-winter. . Nevertheless, the boys enjoyed this detail because it was considered " a snap"-comfortable quar- ters, plenty of rations, camp fires every night in the barracks and passes when off duty to visit Sandusky, which was a very interesting city.
One of the pleasant diversions while on this detail was a ball given by the officers -- at which, by the way, someone was unkind enough to liberally sprinkle the floor with snuff- causing consternation for a time. If the sprinkler had been found, it would have been hard to have saved him from going to the Dry Tortugas.
The "Johnnies" seemed to appreciate and enjoy the change of custodians, having tired of the " Home Guards," because, when they caught sight of the Greek Cross as the right of our brigade neared the stockade, up went the rebel yell in greeting. Thus the change, so far as our brigade and the prisoners were concerned, was agreeable to Johnnie and Yank.
The "pleasantness" of this tour of duty was not, however, monopolized by the enlisted men, for on occasions of special exchange the officers of our brigade were all anxious to be detailed to accompany the Con- federates to the destination named in the order. Officers and men alike were fully aware that this condition could not last, as when the campaign WILLIAM EVERHARDT, Co. C. opened, back to the front we would go, and all were disposed to enjoy the opportunity of this snap to the fullest extent. On February 11th, Colonel Glenn, accompanied by the veterans whose furloughs had expired and a number of new recruits rejoined the regiment.
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
When the campaign opened in the spring General Shaler, with the Sixty-fifth, Sixty-seventh and One Hundred and Twenty-second New York, left for the front and arrived in time to participate in the opening of the Wilderness campaign, where the General was cap- tured in trying to hold the ex- treme right flank with his little skeleton command. This was the end of his term of service with his old brigade. He was held prisoner of war a long time, and was one of the offi- cers placed under the fire of our guns at Charleston. When re- leased he was assigned to the command of the Ist Division, 7th Corps, at DuVall's Bluff, Arkansas, being made Brevet Major-General for long and JACOB H. YOCUM, Co. G. faithful services. Here he re- mained until the close of the war. General Shaler was a strict disciplinarian, a good soldier, and was well liked, both by officers and men.
On May 9th the Twenty-third and Eighty-second Penn- sylvania were relieved from duty at the prison camp and ordered to the front, the Wilderness campaign having opened. Arriving at Belle Plain, where several thousand prisoners from the recent actions were gathered we found the old brigade commander, General Abercrombie, in command of the post. Colonel Isaac C. Bassett, of the Eighty-second, was placed in command of both regiments, while Colonel Glenn was made Commissary of Prisoners. After shipping the latter to Fort Delaware, Point Lookout, etc., the regiment marched to Fredericksburg, and was detailed to guard a wagon train of five hundred wagons destined for the front.
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PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
Headquarters Sixth Corps.
May 18th, 1864.
Brigadier General S. WILLIAMS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
GENERAL :- Understanding that two regiments of this corps, the Eighty-second and Twenty-third Pennsylvania, recently returned from duty at Sandusky, Ohio, are retained for guard duty at Belle Plain, I respectfully request that they may be ordered at once to the corps. I would respectfully suggest that it would be for the interest of the ser- vice to assign new regiments to depot duty and send the veteran regi- ments to the front.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. G. WRIGHT,
Major-General, Commanding.
Headquarters.
Belle Plain, Va., May 19, 1864.
Brig .- Gen. J. A. RAWLINS,
Chief of Staff.
GENERAL :- The Twenty-third and Eighty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, arrived at this post just as we were in receipt of over 7500 prisoners. It was indispensably necessary that the provost guard, Army of the Potomac, who brought them, should be relieved and sent to the front. The two Pennsylvania regiments (which had been on duty at Johnson's Island over prisoners) were substituted in the emergency. The last of the rebels left here yesterday, and the Twenty-third and Eighty-second have been ordered forward.
By order of Brigadier-General J. J. Abercrombie.
I am, General, etc.,
R. L. ORR,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
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HISTORY OF THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT
After delivering the train safely at Bowling Green, they passed through Milford Station and crossed the North Anna river, joining their former associates who had become the Fourth Brigade (Colonel Nelson Cross). First Division (General David A. Russell), Sixth Corps, (General H. G. Wright), the old Third Division having been broken up during their absence and the troops from the Valley, under General Ricketts were consti- tuted the Third Division, while those of the former Third were distributed between the First and Second Divisions.
On the 24th the regiment moved to the right and front, along the Virginia Central Railroad, which it assisted in de- stroying. The division having been detached from the Corps, the Twenty-third recrossed the North Anna at Jericho Bridge, escorting the wagon train to Chesterfield station. After a forced march by night to Ham- ilton, they crossed the Pam- unkey river about noon on the 27th, where they joined Sher- idan's cavalry .. In this vicinity was a village of the Pamunkey Indians, the male members of which were used by both sides as guides through the slash- ings. In this part of the coun- try, beyond the Wilderness, ALEX POWELL, Ist Sergt., Co. F. was a splendid agricultural district, dotted here and there On the 28th they moved for-
with old colonial mansions. ward about three miles and were stationed in the rear of the front line as reserves .. On the 29th, they started with the divi- sion on a reconnoissance to Hanover Court House. The regi- ment being on the skirmish line, remained out all night, entrenching as they marched, loosing several men wounded. On the night of the 31st, they started for Cold Harbor, where they arrived about noon of June Ist. The regiment was formed on the left of the Richmond and Gaines' Mills cross-roads. The Twenty-third was selected to storm the enemy's works in front, with the Eighty-second Pennsylvania supporting it, and, after driving the enemy's skirmishers through a strip of woods
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PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
-which they set fire to as they fell back-the line emerged into the open field. About 500 yards away, on a little hill, were the enemy's works. Preparations were at once made for the final charge, the Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania being on the right, but the left of the regiment was unprotected by either infantry or artillery. About 5 P. M. orders to advance were given and as soon as they were communicated, the line swept forward on the double quick, confronting a severe artillery and infantry fire. Dashing forward on the run, however, the thin line crossed the enemy's works, the left of the line being subjected to a flanking fire of grape and canister, but having only a handful of men, they were soon driven out. The Eighty-second, however, came up bravely to its support, but after fighting for twenty-five minutes without reinforcements, they were obliged to retire. With spoons, knives and bayo- nets in lieu of spades and picks, the troops erected temporary breastworks about five hundred yards from the enemy's line. Aided by the balance of the Sixth Corps, which advanced along the right, and by the Sec- ond Corps, which came up on the left, by dint of hard fight- ing the position was held and LEWIS J. SPEAKMAN, Co. A. more firmly entrenched. Here the regiment remained until relieved. The Sixth Corps main- tained this line during the entire twelve days that the posi- tion was assailed.
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