New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-17

.nSsd az om, u hch came flying over the road and
"iaces NE -eet Thus the battle opened. Our held
ppnemv, "a placed on the road on @ line with the
," battery entirely unprotected with the brave
who wor ked them CALAMITY, but paid most dearly
for their berosm.
We first formed near wood, and then dashed over
open edof acres to within two or three hundred
yards of the enemys battery 1t was discovered that
il was too strong TO be taken BY iDfanTy-that the
only way TO reduce it was by leavy cannon, ana
number Of them which we bad not. The Rebels had
mounted behind masked sand battery some twenty
cannon, and were several thousand strong.
TIE battle lasted between two and three hours.
Part of tie tine we were in the woods Some fifteen
OF ne, with the colonel and one Of the cartius, were
in group together and fired through the trees. Other
groups were scattered through tie woods III the same
way. 1t was novel thug to hear the cannon-balls
crashing through the trees and whzzing past US and
the Kissing of the rife-balls they few by Idont
know whether it was bravery not, but was revtr
more cool in MY life; hardly thought where was
in fact don't think l had realizing sense of the
danger.
The fire was very hot and rapid. Every instant the
balls were crushing and whistGog around us; yet all
the bOysn group stood steady ready to re at every
OPP ortunty, and conyersng with each other ana the
colonel in The same voice, and deliberately as II we
had been safe in camp. l know had quite an argrl'
ment with one of the fellows, and we both thought
nothing Of our situation.
At one tine il seemed as If balls could never come
so thick and fact as they did about group AT every
boom Of the cannon would drop fiat GU our faces
and rise Instantly but they came 80 fast after that tat
many of us did rot take the trouble. felt that IL
was going 10 be bit l would be nylow, and II had
fallen at every thot would have nothing to do Tut get
down and yet up. 1t was grand and awful scene,
but did not realize il fully until It was over Ihefe
were many instances Of Individual herosl-eome oD
served some not. think every man did his best ana
all with few exceptions, were equally brave. One
fine young fellow lay near tree on his lace, IodinB
and firing in that position as fact as he could, mahog
almost every thot tel on some OF the foe ~ last 10
raised lis body tle AZ that moment bullet struck
his heart and he fell .tilT in death. An excellent fell
low Of my mess, with whom Lave become we'll ac-
quainted, fell hight by my side. Captain KilPariek
as brave ever lived, who stood not over THREE
feet from me, was shot In thesIeg and ann.
At length our party wanted change, so we turned
into the road where we found First Lieutenant,
brave young man, of about my age, and atew Others
We begged bin, for Gods sake, 70 lead us on he
lie waved his sword above bis head and cried Come
on, " and ON we went with shout, dashlng at full
speed over the loughed field right in the face Of the
enemy's battery. We were about tue only red
reeches 10 the ied and the balls poured around us
like hail storm. Tie 7th NewYork Volunteers were
at the left of the field and stood at the right. After
continuing the firing for lime the 7th were or
dered back. Our little band remained longer, AID
were the last to leave the field. The Rebels seemed 10
have particular antipahy TO our red breeches, Tor
they raid special regard TO them with their shot.
After this came the order 10 fall in, and the weary
march homeward; the officers knowing that further
fight would cause but useless sacrifice OF llie Ihe
fatigue which seemed TO pass off in the excitement OF
battle returned and the march of fifteen miles In the
bot sun was the hardest march ever experienced
Tie Rebels cannot claim victory-we had no knoWi'
edge of their position and MEANS we could not nave
alta ked them without proper preparation Ihey con
tidered themselves safer within the battery, for they
dared not follow US. We only wished they had and
given us fair fight in the open field. After the reei-
ments had moved on, body OF their Cavalry pursued
few men who had been ordered 10 10 the wound
ed and thus behind Our loes is not exactly as
cetaned vet, but it is wonderful that no more were
cut off, considering the sharpness OF the fire. sop
pose our regiment sufereda as much as any owing TO
their advanced position and conspicuous appearance
James Tay lor was killed The brave fellows that
worked the cannon suffered severely. The LieuienaIt
"a United States officer-had his head torn from his
body and occasionally come poor fellow would drop
upon the ground dead or wrtbing in agony. These
scenes ere the dreadful In battle. One brave boy
with bis torn off, cried ont TO his comrades 10 re-
venge him. another with Lis hand hanging only by the
skim tbesou2ht TO have it taken off, as the pain was
dreadful II was when was seated by my tent and
thought over what had passed through that first
began TO realize its fearful nature. 1t impressed me
with feeling of awe and trembling. 1 know shall
never 90 into battle again without more sober ana
serious feelings.
The officers are delighted with the conduct Of the
| men They acted nobly, to a man. One OF our CON-
! pany, who went through the Mexican war, says lie
never saw hotter fire, men act better The regl-
lars of the United States Army spoke their admiration
ana Hurprleo; Noulu nave httou
they those brave heroes who stood fast to their guns
1t wac indeed wonderful TO those recruits face
that fire so unfinchiDgly. Thank God, believe there
Is not a coward In the res iment. look forward TO
another battle. That battery be taken, and trust
viii be, but it will make most bloody fight. No one
knows when bis turn may come and every one and bis
friends should be prepared for the worst. If should
die remember the holy cause in which fell, and lot
your sorrow if Deep be proud, and hope that the last
acts Of my life may go far toward blotting out many
OF the past. But am of hopeful heart, and look for
ward with joyful sntidpations TO the time when
shall meet ali my friends once more.
am quite we'll pow only tired, You can suppose:
Had not thought You would be anxious, should
have left my letter for another day.
Most sdectionstsy yours