New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-08-04

Il
enemys batteries, and about half mile distant to 20
support of Griin's Battery which was there prepal
ing 70 take up position at that point
| This order was promptly executed-the men, LED o
| yourself and encouraged by the gallantry OF Thea
oficers moving forward in gallant style, in double
quick time subjected, greater portion OF the way
terrible and deadly fire Of grape, cander and roun'
shot from the enemy's works on our fro snd rig'
flank. Arriving at the brow OF the emi9ence, IN 40
ysa,e Of the battery which II intended 70 support
the reQsnent was halted and commenced, IN fact tn
attack of Col Heintzelnans division on the night fani
of the enem v-engagng large force OF his iuianty
and by a well-drected fire completely routing an en-
tire regiment that YVES advancing IN good Order sno
driving II into denfe wood In the distance .
After remaining in this position some time, hndfng
that the enemys artillery telling with fearful
effect upon ranks-sub jected as were 10 direct
and faux fire from his ba5series-the regipent was
ordered to retire down sgas decIivity, which was
done In good order, aording it, for time, partial pro-
lection from the eEemys fire. At this tine, Griffin
Battery was moving forward 20 post On On our
right, the regiment was ordered BY COL Hentzeiaan
IN person. 10 advance to its protection Advancing by
the flank under CALLING fire, the regiment halted
within supporting distance OF Grilins Battery which
had opened upon the enemy, and properly formed
10 resist threatened attack from tue enemy cavalry
and infantry, which bad shown themselves in large
numbers on the borders of grove to the right and
front. In this position my regiment under spiteiui
and destructive fire from the enemys batteries, re-
manned until forced to retire. and les presence not being
Ba tery had been compelled to leave the field.
Retiring to a road, about hundred yards distant,
my regiment was again formed IN line OF oatle, ano
under the eye OF the Commanderin-chief, Gen. Nc.
Dowell, the men inspired by his presence upon the
fell and led by yourself, it dashed galldDy up the
hill toward poiut where Ricketts, Battery bad been
abandoned IN consequence OF Is suppor the LIST FIRE
ZOuaves and LIST Michigan Regiment, having previous
ly been compelled to retreat in the face OF superior
numbers and great loss il their ranks Before ariv
ing the brow Of the hi me. the enemy IN large
frce Of his infantry regiments, apparently fresh
upon the field advancing steadily toward us In llne OF
battle. large number OF the men OF tins regiment
hsd advanced in front Of their lines, and had taken
posses ion Of Ricketts, Battery, and were endeavorng
Co turn the guns upon weldirected and destruc-
tive fire was immediately opened upon the enemy by
my regiment and portion Of another toat bad rallied
upon our lett II think the l4th n. Y. 5. MI and after
sharp conflict, he wss forced to retreat in disorder
aud with great loss, seeking shelter In the woods toin
whence he had previously emerged. -,
The enemy not succeeding In taking with him
Ricketts, Battery, Which seemed to have been the cnief
object Of his attack IL fell Into the hands OF nay regi-
ment, by whom three OF irs guns were dragged
distance Of 800 yards, and left IN road, apparently
out OF reach OF the enemy.
Another rally was then made by my regiment,
the gallant men, readily responding 10 the ofders u
their officers. Advancing In double-quick time to the
right and front toward q dense wood, In which the
enemy had been concealed in large numbers during the
day and from which evidences of retreat were now
rs
OF our force became engaged in sharp and spirited
skirmisb with the enemy infantry and cavalry, and
appeared for time ~ have complete possession OF
the field
tbs was the last rally made by my regiment; sud.
denly and Unexpectedly the enemy, reenforced by
fres1 troops, literally swarmng the woods poured in
upoo Us perfect shower Of lead from bis musketry;
his batteries reopeBed upon with teriOe effect and
panic & this moment seeming TO have taken poses
session of our troops generally retreat ordered,
aud my regiment, IN comparatively good order, COM
menced its march toward C.ntrevile, where greater
portion OF il arrived abouS clock that night Here,
on the same ground where had tvUuaeked previous
70 the cattle the regiment was halted Alter rest OF
about two hours again resumed It's march, join Ig In
the general movement made by the army toward this
phce.
After O forced and wearisome march Of seven hours,
the men suffering from The great fatigue OF tie preyi
fifteen hours without food for that length OF time, with
scarcely Ier enough 10 ois their parchec tongues
many Of them wounded, sick, and ohsrwiee dir-
sSs ny ~a's sbs as
joined the thai were throngng 70 the capital,
halted al It's original camp ground bear Ale .andra-h
" sImebt vi tue brigade that did so-the only
meut Ia fact, that under ire during the previous
day, that returned TO and occupied their old camp
ground previous TO their sdvaDce toward the field OF
basie II IL with great pride, Sir, that mehn TIL
facteyiDcing, as II alphabetically does, degroe OF
subordin alton commeDdable IN any regiment; re-
fecting great credit upon the gallant officers
OF my own, particularly under tue extraordinary cir.
cuGIsIin,e s conuec,ed with the occaion.
IRON the time my regiment Was order, d into the
field until forced 10 retire tbereiroma period OF four
bours-it was almost constantly under fire from the
enemys batteries aud engaged with his infantry; and
to your GOODNESS aud courage alone, during that time
your frequent orders for the ~ lie down when the
eulys n re was the hottest and your constant nUrts
TO protect far possible, at ali dmeswas the
regiment saved from presenting larger number VI
casualties than ito large liSt now shows
OF the courage displayed by the men generally on
Oh.
gallant fellows 10 obey, ali times, all orders
not speak In too high terms or express In words my
admiration During sll my experience In former
campaign and presence on many battlefield, never
Witnessed greater bravery or more sodlery requisites
than displayed by men Of my own regiment our.
ing the eutre battle.
The conduct Of the officers generally, cannot speak
too highly OF. Always ut their posts, cheering On
II cir men, by their solaiery examples and displaying
marked llaBtry, under the trying circumstances,
words.
Major Potter wa. disabled during the early Part of
the engagement, while galanty performing bis duty,
and slbseq uently Tell into the bands OF tie enemy
Tie brave Capt. Hugh McQuaide, while cheering
on his men, fell from severe wound in the leg.
Lieut.. Thomas ). Hamblin, gallant young officer
also received would In his leg, while oischarging his
duty and be with the former officer, subsequently, tell
into tie bands of tue enemy.
Captains McGrath and Allason both received injuries
during engagement, the former by being run down
by the .nemys cavalry IRON the effect ct winch be ID
now suite ring and the latter by slgIt musket slot.
Lieut. John Brady, jr, while bravely participating in
the fight was severely wounded in the Assistant
Surgeon Stephen Griswod Was on the held ano under
heavy fire, at all times humanely and tearessy dis
changing h,s duties " the wounded lie aud Quarter
MASTER Charles j.. Murphy, who WAS assisting the
wounded, re also taken prisoners.
III conclusion, again assert my inability to do JUS
sice TO the gallant conduct of the officers generally
and while il would afford great pleasure To mention
the nance OF many whose conduct fell under my per-
sonal observation refrain from doing 81 lest
emitting others aloud do injustice to masy, equally