Breakthrough at the Brickyard

Breakthrough at the Brickyard. . Lieutenant Colonel Clark and the remnants of the 21st Massachusetts leapt over the breastworks and raced for the safety of the railroad. When they reached the railroad cut they encountered the head of Parke's 3rd Brigade. There, Clark met with Colonel Isaac Rodman of the 4th Rhode Island, Parke's lead regiment, and described the state of the Confederate center. He advised Rodman to take his regiment and attack. Rodman, seeing the opportunity to crush the Confederate center, ordered his regiment to attack. Followed into the breach at the Brickyard by the 8th Connecticut and 5th Rhode Island, Rodman's men broke through the Confederate center., With no way to seal the breach at the Brickyard, the 7th North Carolina, reinforced With five companies sent from the 37th North Carolina, attempted to stem the next wave of Federal attacks. But there was nothing that could be done. With no other choice, Branch ordered a general retreat as the Main Confederate line began to quickly give way to the Federals now swarming over the breastworks., Seeing the colors of the 3rd Brigade in the breastworks, Foster's 1st Brigade that had been held at bay for over three hours surged forward. Soon the regiments of Foster's and Parke's brigades controlled the mile long segment of line from the railroad to the river and the United. States flag was raised over Fort Thompson. As the brigades began to reform behind the breastworks, sounds of continued intense fighting could be heard from beyond the railroad. Burnside ordered Foster and Parke to advance to the sounds of the guns to aid Reno., (captions) , Medal of Honor , Surgeon James H. Thompson 1st Brigade , "Voluntarily reconnoitered the enemy's position and carr4ed orders under the hottest fire.", Brigadier General John G. Parke 3rd Brigade, Situation 9:30 to 10:30 AM