The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-06-21

supported ny tNp commands oil tDl. stew
| art and Capt. Montague; but they did not
make their appearance, and we remained
Interested spectators Of the third attack,
| holding our position in the trenches, and
prepared to Geend the ravno and the
road to The sod&i and west of our fortif.
cations.
This attack was made few minutes
after II o'clock, and was the most severe
of all the days work. Our guns COM
menced again. and after exchanging shots
| for fifteen or twenty minutes, the enemy
| formed in column, one thousand strong,
and under command of brave looking
General, well mounted. advanced over
the road, over the bridge, and up 10 the
embankment, on the southeast. Every
man looked on with brcathlcss interest,
as the charge was brilliant one. As soon
as they were IN good range, our battery
opened, and thu first fire struck the head
Of the advancing column, and crashed
! through FROM eank to rank. They
attempted to sa,nt the, cmbankment
pulsed with great loss, and so discomfitted
| that they retired with double quick
movement down the road. The Colonel
commanding in this charge was seen to
reel in his saddle. The battery again ex-
changed shots, and the action closed with
six men wounded on our side.
1t was now ono o'clock, and the enemy
showing no disposition to commence a
gain, the dragons were ordered out, and
found the enemy retreating with all speed
toward Hampton. As they pursued them,
they scattered like sheep, and the wound
ed and dying fell on every side of the
road. 1t was pitiable sight. and as our
men Comeback they were picked up and
carried on littcrs to our camp and cared
for.
The battle was now over, having com
menced at % o'clock, A. NJ, and contin-
ued till pm One of the wounded OF
the enemy said he would tell the truth
before he died, and said four thousand
five hundred were engaged on the part of
the Federal troops, and five hundred held
in reserve. and the dead and wounded
were two hundred; while on our part
there were only twelve hundred men,
and at no timo were there more than
eight hundred engaged.
During the entire engagement Col. Ma.
rruder was in every part of the field, and
displayed consummatc Feneralship and
courage, directing every movement in per-
son and exposing himself with a reckless
mired by all in camp.
INCIDENTS or THE BATTLE.
The enemy, when they first approached,
tried to keep up their courage by repeat
ed cheering, yelling like so many savages,
which the writer of this heard distinctly,
while our men said not a word; but, with
uplifted hearts to the God of Battles,
stood silent and courageously, awaiting
them.
One of the Captains Of the advancing
columns Of the enemy approached near
the y. c. Regiment lines, and standing,
on a log, cheered his men. He was seep,
and private in one OF the companies
took deliberate aim. and he fell dead
The man ran out and secured his sword
as . trophy 2G1ii.. yalor.
rhc HGs -cry, under superin-
tcndence Of fS-Yor Randolph, elected the
cheers of the entire sodiery, every man
performing his part with the celerity OF
practiced gunners, and often exposing
themselves upon tho parapet to see. as
they said, tho enemy's eyes, so as to take
aim. In word, no man on the ground
coald express how much of the result Of
our victory is due the IIowitzcrs.
| Late in the evening the cncampmcnt
was broken up and we returned to York
! town.
Long live Magruder Hill, Stewart, and
| Allan. illustrious leaders in this, our first
great bsttle and glorious victory! while to
God thanks be given for His proyidential
care and support.
C. ?. X. LIFE GUARD.