East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-07-25

rolls of volleys by platoons. "They are
at it," said the general. Indeed they
are" was the reply. In few minutes
the most rapid aud tremendous musketry
practice conceivable was going on in the
woods.
1t was evident that the enemy were
ambuscaded in great force. Brackets
Cavalry closed down to the edge OF the
woods.
Wounded men began to be brought
out to the ambulances in the fields, and
the reserve was ordered to plunge into
the woods to support the advance. j..
The field howitzers were also detailed
from Ayress Battery, and swiftly dis
appeared to the woods.
They opened fire at once, and were
replied to by the enemy's cannon which
had been evidently moved to the left OF
their morning position. The platoon
firing also redoubled in force. Our men
fired at fearful disadvantage, their ranks
breaking among the trees, while the
enemy, lying in rife trenches and be-
hind embankments, fired with great reg
ularity and terrific slaughter. They
must have used many thousand rounds
of cartridges in the engagement.
Companies +. q. and II, of the Mas.
sachusetts First, who were on the right,
led by Col. Wells, were the first to fol-
low the skirmishes into the woods, and
cleared the enemy's advance before them.
Suddenly they were subjected to fire
from three different points, and many of
their men fell. The rest stood their
ground until they got into the cross fire
Of the Michigan Regiment, and then re-
treated in some disorder.
The two howitzers which entered the
woods, commanded by Captain Ayres,
did not fire upon body of secessionists,
supposing them to be friends, but passed
by them, and also fell into terrible
musketry fire. Capt. Bracket, of the
cavalry, who was close by, says that in
all his Mexican experience he never saw
such a tempest of balls. Ayres served
his guns with grape and canister till his
ammunition was exhausted, and then re-
tired, bringing the howitzers with him.
None of the Massachusetts, companies,
except the three above mentioned, par
ticipated in the fight.
The artilcrymen numbered eighteen
in all, including Ayres and Lieutenant
Lorraine, the latter Of whom was slightly
wounded. All the horses were killed,
and the men dragged the guns out them
selves.
A curious feature Of the fight was the
position of the cavalry closeto the edge OF
the woods.
A battle has not been known of late
years wherein the cavalry have been thus
used TO close up the rear of an attacking
force.
Our howitzers' fire was most effective
tho enemies overshot the range, and
his cannon balls whirled through the hill
battery making the position most I'M
pleasant.
Under the circumstances, it was not
surprising that our brave fellows retired
from the woods the enemy firing on their
rear, but not venturing to leave their
hiding places. The cavalry, of course,
led the retreat.
From our eminence we covered the re
treat by most tremendous cannonade
from all our guns, eight in number. The
enemy replied on our battery and on the
retiring colums--with what effect | do
not yet know, though the shots fell all
about and among us.
The Michigan Second, New York
Twelfth, and companies G. and III Of the
Massachusetts, First, are supposed to have
suffered the most.
The Michigan troops acted well, but as
yet can state nothing with certainty in
regard to the other regiments.
For an hour the final cannonading on
both sides was terrific.
Our shells burst all among the enemy,
and their loss must be severe; as by APP
pearance half of Beauregard's army were
in the thickets. The place of retreating
was so narrow that it was impossible to
get ont of the enemy's fire. l noticed by
the battery Hon. Owen Lovejoy, Hcnery
j. Raymond, Esq, and othes civilians,
eagerly watching the terrific contest.
The battle was finally ended for the day,
unless the enemy should conclude to at.
tack our position to night, before the
Sherman Brigade, consisting Of the Sixty.
ninth and Seventy ninth Regiments, can
come up in the rear.
The day was frightfully hot. For miles
no water had been found along the route
and our troops went into action thirsty,
and came out half dead. Nor have we
any rations tonight, our provisions not
yet having arrived. If the enemy had
ventured into the open valley, the Hill
Battery would have moved them down
by the column.
The result Of to-day's work will be that
to morrow or next day we shall have an
immense engagement, to which the battle
Of Bull Run will have been a mere Skin.
mish. We now know the strength and
nature of the enemy's position, and that
must be carried by force. The New York
Twelfth, of the reserve, moved up into &C.
ton in magnificent style. They were re.
ceivcd with the very climax of the enc
my's fire, from both musketry and artille.
ry, and though they retreated at last, it
was not till they had been severely man.
gled that they escaped to the open field.
They have lost twenty men.
Gen. Tyler and staff were under fire
throughout the action. Our troops are
now returnino 10 their aunnerless camn