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Moving along, the shot and shell of the enemy poured over our heads and crashed in the hollow to the rear, or among the occasional trees behind; on the right the sound of musketry was deafening, and the Brigade soon came within the range of the enemy small arms. The advance, however, was uninterrupted, unbroken, although it had to be made under many difficulties. The chief of which was the close, compact, and strong fences, which impeded the progress of the men, and the crossing of which caused momentary derangement of the dressings. All the time the bullets are whirring about, an occasional wounded man falling down and is borne to the rear but we have not yet commenced to fire.
On the left, the 88th are marching along with their characteristic gallantry -- the only difficulty the officers have is to restrain the men from going individually ahead to fight the battle on their own responsibilities. There is a cluster of trees, not more than three or four, on the top of the hill opposite the center of the regimental line. The rebels have taken shelter there and pour into our ranks a continuous fire that is galling and fatal. Several of the 'FAUGH-A-BALLAGHS" rush ahead to take the rebels at close quarters. And it requires all the determination and firmness of Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Kelly to keep them in line. I know Sergeant Granger and others were almost at the brow of the hill, carried away with their enthusiasm, before the voice of the colonel, calling them by their names caused them to halt and rejoin their companies.
The rebel bullets do not spare the 88th. Lieutenant Egan, commanding Co. G, is shot down, receiving a musket ball in the ankle that breaks the bone of the leg, instantly disabling him from further duty. Lieutenant Gallagher immediately took command of the company, which he headed through all the engagements from Savage Station to Harrison's Landing, gaining for himself the almost unbounded esteem of his commanding officers and comrades. Writing to the Subscriber, he regrets his absence and says -- "The leaden hail fell thick and fast, and never before were the horrors of war so strongly impressed on my mind. As comrade after comrade fell and was passed over, you could still (hear) our boys say "On our banners are inscribed 'no retreat' and the motto shall never be falsified." I heard one enthusiastic youth say "Come on Jackson: Shields whipped you at Winchester and Meagher will thrash you at Sharpsburg." Our boys thought that Jackson was pitted against them and fought with double daring. They never came up to my style of fight until that day at Antietam.' Remember this is from the pen of a cool, cautious, competent officer, who never exaggerates, but is always on the moderate side. ... To be continued. GALLOWGLASS
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advance was made in line, the four regiments of the Brigade forming one continuous serried and strong prolongation. The 69th regiment under the command of Colonel James Kelly was on the right, Major Cavanaugh, acting lieutenant colonel and Captain Duffy, acting major. Next to them came the 29th Mass Vol., commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Barnes, then the 63rd, Colonel Burke, and on the left of the 63rd was the 88th led by Lieutenant Colonel Kelly, Major Quinlan, acting lieutenant colonel, and Captain Horgan, acting major.
