Page:Journal history of the Twenty-ninth Ohio veteran volunteers, 1861-1865.djvu/77

 quickly driven back, and, fifteen minutes after the first gun was fired, the engagement become general along the entire line, and for six hours the musketry was one continued roll, interspersed at intervals by the crash of the artillery. The Twenty-ninth remained in the works except when allowed to retire to secure ammunition, clean pieces, etc. While thus securing ammunition the rebels charged the line on our right, gained possession of the works, and were advancing in force, when that gallant officer, Colonel Hayes, ordered the Twenty-ninth to fall in, fix bayonets, and advance to the charge of the rebels in the rifle pits and advancing on our right. The regiment made a half wheel to the right and advanced double-quick, when the rebels gave way. An eastern shore regiment took position next on our right, holding the rebels in check. A battery was immediately placed in position, a few rounds from which sent the Confederates to the rear, leaving their dead and wounded thick about our line of works.

The Confederates in our front were Ewell's corps, including our old acquaintance, Stonewall Jackson's brigade, which fought with desperation. The rattle of the musketry, which extended from the extreme right to the left center of our line, had now become continuous, and about 1 o'clock General Lee opened a furious fire upon our lines from over one hundred and fifty pieces of artillery, to which more than one hundred National guns quickly responded; some sixty thousand small arms were heard amidst the roar of artillery. This unearthly din continued until late in the afternoon, when the firing ceased except at intervals, and this continued during the entire night.

Brevet Captain George Hayward, of company E, promoted for gallant conduct at Chancellorsville, was killed