Page:Journal history of the Twenty-ninth Ohio veteran volunteers, 1861-1865.djvu/123

 ambuscade. Our force was now brought to a halt Bundy's battery was hastily put into position on the ridge to cover the valley. The Twenty-ninth Ohio assumed position on the right, and the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania on the left of the battery. D. E. Hurlburt, captain of company K, had charge of a detail from the Twenty-ninth and Sixty-sixth Ohio regiments in the skirmish of the timber, so he states.

The detachment of the Thirty-third New Jersey deployed as skirmishers across the valley in our front, General Geary and staff following closely in its rear. While they were advancing, we hastily constructed a light barricade of fence rails, and Bundy prepared his battery for business. We anxiously watched General Geary and the skirmishers as they cautiously moved up the ridge.

When within a few yards of the underbrush a large force of rebels came from cover, and with wild yells rushed forward. Captain Bundy at once opened fire upon them, which threw them into disorder, but did not check their advance. As Geary and staff passed over our line his chief, Captain Elliott, fell from his horse, shot dead. Geary shouted to us, "A general engagement! a general engagement! My brave men hold to your position. I will send support to you." He was answered with rousing cheers. When the little remnant of the skirmishing force had come in we commenced a rapid fire in connection with Captain Bundy's double-shotted guns, which speedily thinned the advancing columns of rebels, but without avail, as the breaks were at once filled with fresh troops. As the rebels attempted to close with us our men seemed to be endowed with the valor born of desperation, and clubbed them back. Forward they came, a dense mass of living fire, and bravely we sus