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from the gunners posted in the rear。 Each scaler was provided with only
two rounds of ammunition； which were not to be used until he had
mounted the breastwork and could deliver his shots on our heads。
The drawing below represents the interior of the fort just previous to
the assault。 Nothing on earth could represent the state of things after the
first volley。
Fort Slatter detail graphic
The thrilling moment had now arrived。 If I had been going into a real
engagement I could not have been more deeply impressed by the
importance of the occasion。
The fort opened fire first…a single ball from the dexterous band of
General Harris taking General Ames in the very pit of his stomach。 A
cheer went up from Fort Slatter。 In an instant the air was thick with flying
missiles； in the midst of which we dimly descried the storming parties
sweeping up the hill； shoulder to shoulder。 The shouts of the leaders； and
the snowballs bursting like shells about our ears； made it very lively。
Not more than a dozen of the enemy succeeded in reaching the crest of
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the hill； five of these clambered upon the icy walls； where they were
instantly grabbed by the legs and jerked into the fort。 The rest retired
confused and blinded by our well…directed fire。
When General Harris （with his right eye bunged up） said； 'Soldiers； I
am proud of you！〃 my heart swelled in my bosom。
The victory； however； had not been without its price。 Six North…Enders；
having rushed out to harass the discomfited enemy； were gallantly cut off
by General Ames and captured。 Among these were Lieutenant P。
Whitcomb （who had no business to join in the charge； being weak in the
knees）； and Captain Fred Langdon； of General Harris's staff。 Whitcomb
was one of the most notable shots on our side； though he was not much to
boast of in a rough…and…tumble fight； owing to the weakness before
mentioned。 General Ames put him among the gunners； and we were
quickly made aware of the loss we had sustained； by receiving a frequent
artful ball which seemed to light with unerring instinct on any nose that
was the least bit exposed。 I have known one of Pepper's snow…balls； fired
pointblank； to turn a comer and hit a boy who considered himself
absolutely safe。
But we had no time for vain regrets。 The battle raged。 Already there
were two bad cases of black eye； and one of nosebleed； in the hospital。
It was glorious excitement； those pell…mell onslaughts and hand…to…
hand struggles。 Twice we were within an ace of being driven from our
stronghold； when General Harris and his staff leaped recklessly upon the
ramparts and hurled the besiegers heels over head down hill。
At sunset； the garrison of Fort Slatter was still unconquered； and the
South…Enders； in a solid phalanx； marched off whistling 〃Yankee Doodle；〃
while we cheered and jeered them until they were out of hearing。
General Ames remained behind to effect an exchange of prisoners。 We
held thirteen of his men； and he eleven of ours。 General Ames proposed to
call it an even thing； since many of his eleven prisoners were officers；
while nearly all our thirteen captives were privates。 A dispute arising on
this point； the two noble generals came to fisticuffs； and in the…fracas our
brave commander got his remaining well eye badly damaged。 This didn't
prevent him from writing a general order the next day； on a slate； in which
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he complimented the troops on their heroic behavior。
On the following Wednesday the siege was renewed。 I forget whether
it was on that afternoon or the next that we lost Fort Slatter； but lose it we
did； with much valuable ammunition and several men。 After a series of
desperate assaults； we forced General Ames to capitulate； and he； in turn；
made the place too hot to hold us。 So from day to day the tide of battle
surged to and fro； sometimes favoring our arms； and sometimes those of
the enemy。
General Ames handled his men with great skill； his deadliest foe could
not deny that。 Once he outgeneralled our commander in the following
manner： He massed his gunners on our left and opened a brisk fire； under
cover of which a single company （six men） advanced on that angle of the
fort。 Our reserves on the right rushed over to defend the threatened point。
Meanwhile； four companies of the enemy's scalers made a detour round
the foot of the hill； and dashed into Fort Slatter without opposition。 At the
same moment General Ames's gunners closed in on our left； and there we
were between two fires。 Of course we had to vacate the fort。 A cloud
rested on General Harris's military reputation until his superior tactics
enabled him to dispossess the enemy。
As the winter wore on； the war…spirit waxed fiercer and fiercer。 At
length the provision against using heavy substances in the snow…balls was
disregarded。 A ball stuck full of sand…bird shot came tearing into Fort
Slatter。 In retaliation； General Harris ordered a broadside of shells； i。 e。
snow…balls containing marbles。 After this； both sides never failed to freeze
their ammunition。
It was no longer child's play to march up to the walls of Fort Slatter；
nor was the position of the besieged less perilous。 At every assault three or
four boys on each side were disabled。 It was not an infrequent occurrence
for the combatants to hold up a flag of truce while they removed some
insensible comrade。
Matters grew worse and worse。 Seven North…Enders had been
seriously wounded； and a dozen South…Enders were reported on the sick
list。 The selectmen of the town awoke to the fact of what was going on；
and detailed a posse of police to prevent further disturbance。 The boys at
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the foot of the hill； South…Enders as it happened； finding themselves
assailed in the rear and on the flank； turned round and attempted to beat
off the watchmen。 In this they were s