The  reserve  companies'  were  then  deployed  and  with
bayonets  fixed  the  whole  line  commenced  the  advance.  The
enemy  opened  fire  with  musketry  from  the  breastworks  and
artillery  from  the  main  ridge  as  soon  as  our  line  emerged
from  the  woods,  but  in  the  face  of  both  the  men  moved
silently  and  steadily  forward,  across  the  creek,  and  up  the
slope,  until  within  about  one  hundred  paces  of  the  breast-
work, when,  as  the  pace  was  quickened,  the  enemy  broke
from  behind  the  work  and  ran  in  some  confusion  down  the
slope  into  and  be^'ond  their  camps,  where  taking  cover
behind  the  stumps  and  among  the  huts  they  opened  a  brisk
fire  on  us  again  as  soon  as  we  gained  and  occupied  the
breastwork.
Our  line,  now  partialh'  sheltered  b}'  the  work,  returned
the  fire  with  such  effect  as  soon  to  drive  the  enemy  out  of
the  valley  and  up  the  slope  of  the  main  ridge,  be\'ond  the
range  of  our  rifles.
Our  loss  in  this  attack  was  severe,  though  probably
much  less  than  would  have  been  suffered  by  troops  advanc-
ing upon  the  work  in  regular  order  of  battle.  Fourteen
prisoners  were  taken  in  this  breastwork.
About  twenty  minutes  after  the  capture  of  the  first  work,
the  brigade  advanced  from  the  woods,  and  on  arriving  at
the  work  halted  for  a  few  minutes,  when  the  order  was
given  for  a  general  assault  upon  the  enemy's  defences  on
Mission  Ridge.
