Page:Journal history of the Twenty-ninth Ohio veteran volunteers, 1861-1865.djvu/52

 CHAPTER V.

Battle of Port Republic—The Twenty-ninth Suffer Great Loss.

On June 9th, in the dim light of early morning the enemy began to move, and soon our artillery opened a brisk fire on them. The Twenty-ninth regiment, under command of Colonel Buckley, was ordered to fall in, and at 6:45 o'clock marched out of the timber into the open field, and moved forward a short distance, when the men unslung knapsacks and other equipage and, reduced to light marching order, advanced by the right flank, and when near the rebel position came into line on the double quick. While doing so we were obliged to pass a board fence; and at this critical time the rebels opened a heavy fire of musketry, but the regiment moved steadily forward and took position in the open field. The rebels in front of our right wing were behind a strong post and rail fence.

From the base of the mountain to the Shenandoah river was about one-half mile. The extreme left of our line extended into the timber and near the base of the mountain with the right flank extending to the river. The Fifth, Sixty-sixth and Seventh Ohio regiments were on our left, and the Seventh Virginia, Seventh, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Indiana on our right. The Twenty-ninth being about the right center regiment during the battle, and at this time in support of Huntington's battery, which was belching forth its shot and shell, doing deadly execution in the ranks of the advancing rebels. When in close range the rebels charged. Reserving our