The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-11-08

open field; the Massachusetts, 18th and
Tammany on the right, and the Massachu.
sets 10th nearer the centre. Col. Ooggs-
well took charge of the artillery. Only
four guns were planted in the field, the ri6ed
gun having been hauled up at the wrong
place, and being afterward seized by the
enemy and spiked.
When our skirmishing companies had
reached the edge Of the woods, suddenly the
enemy, hitherto concealed, rose with yell
and fred volley; then began firing in the
usual manner FIRST giving yell and volley;
then loading and firing at will for few
minutes then ceasing an equal time; then
giving another yell and volley, and 90 on,
pouring murderous volley into our little
band for the space of half an hour. The
whole woods around swarmed with them.
They had no artillery and no cavalry. Our
Rhode Islanders, except the officers, deserted
their guns, but Colonel Baker, Lieutenant
Colonel Wistar, Colonel Ooggswell, and
Adjutant Harvey manned the battery, and
fred the guns themselves, aided by Oompa
ny G, LIST California, led by the gallant
Captain Beiral. tThe latter was cOnspic-
uous for bravery throughout the action he
is wounded, but not dangerously, and is
safe on Maryland ground.
We kept up both musketry and cannon
fire as well as we could, but half the time
we could not see the enemy, and his cow
ardly discharges were thinning our ranks !;
still most of the men stood firm and acted
bravely. The enemy's yells and volleys in-
creased in lOudness, and it was evident that
reinforcements we're pouring in to bis aid.
Captain Stewart, General Stones adjutant,
came on the field with the cheering state.
ment that General German would shortly
support US. At q quarter past five in the
afternoon we held council of war, and re-
solved to stand our ground, and General
Baker ordering me to 60 for reinforcements.
By this time Coggswell was wounded
Wistar had fallen. The enemy were grow
ing more daring, rushing out Of the woods,
taking some prisoners and firing hotIy.
just then rebel officer, riding white
horse, came out of the woods and beckoned
US to come forward. Col. Baker thought
it was Gen. Johnston, and that the enemy
would meet US in open fight. Part of our
column charged, Baker cheering US on, when
a tremendous onset was made by the rebels.
One man rode forwerd, presented revolver
at Baker, and fired all its charges at him.
Our gallant leader fell, and at the same mo-
ment all our lines were driven back by the
overwhelming force opposed to them. But
Captain Beiral, with bis company, fought
his way back to Col. Bakers body, rescued
it, brought it along to me, and then gen.
eral retreat commenced.
Itwas sauve gu, peut! Igot the Colonel's
body to the island before the worst of the
rout, and then, looking to the Virginia
shore, saw such spectacle as no tongue
can describe. Our entire forces were re-
treating tumbling, rolling, leapiDg down the
steep heights, the enemy following them,
numbering and taking prisoners. Col.
Devens left bis command, and swan the
river on horseback. Col. Ooggswell. after
unavailing bravery, had ordered the retreat
himself, but being wounded, was taken.
The one boat in the Virginia channel was
speedily filled and sunk. A thousand men
thr0nged the further bank. Muskets, coats
and everything were thrown aside, and all
were desperately trying to escape. Hun
dreds plunged into the rapid current, and
the shrieks of the drowning added to the
horror of sounds and sights.
The enemy kept up their fire from the
cliff above. ALI was terror, confusion and
dismay. a captain of the Fifteenth Massa.
chusetts at one moment charged gallantly
up the hill, leading two companies, who
still had their arms, against the pursuing
foe. A moment later and the same officer,
perceiving the hopelessness of the situation,
waved white handkerchief, and surrender
ed the main body of his regiment. Other
portions of the column surrendered; but the
rebels kept up their fire upon those who
tried to cross, and many not drowned in
the river were shot 10 the act of swimming.
Night came on. At P. N. all of our
band whose fortune it was to return had
landed on Harrison Island, and the fire from
the Virginia heights had ceased.
The rebels took all our guns but one.
When l left yesterday, they had shouted to
US, telling Us to come over and take away
our dead sons of BIS under flag of truce;
had also mounted our own guns on the
heights, and warned US to leave the island
in four hours. ..r
The cause of this sad havoc was that we
had no proper means of transit and retreat.
The following is an approximate list of the
commissioned officers killed, wounded or
missing, for the first battalion OF the First
California Regiment, and comprises two
thirds of the entire number in command:
Col. Baker, killed; Lieutenant Colonel
Wistar, wounded in the arm and face(safe);
Company A, Captain Markoe, Lieutenant
Parker. prisoners; Company q, Captain
Otter. Lieutenant KerDs, prisoners; Com
pany ID, Lieutenant Williams, killed, body
saved; Company q, Captain Beiral, Lieut..
-, slightly wounded and sale; Company
Fl, Lieutenant Hams, prisoner, Lieutenant
Uric, wounded and safe; Company l, Lieut..
Fisher, wounded and fe; Company N,
Captain Kefer, prisoner, Lieutenant Hoop
er, wounded and prisoner; Company P,
Captain Hicks, wounded and safe, Lieut..
kenney, prisoner.
The California Regiment took into action
across the fiver:
First battalion officers and men-total. .. 1856
OF these there We're drowned about. so
Anleu. .................... oU
IIisoneTs. .................... LOW
Wounded. ...l25-505
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