Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-27

Ter the enemy portion Of the regiment fred with
out orders, killing five Of the South CsrolinIsns.
The error Was soon discovered, and Col Tay lOr sd
yanced cautiously to the left, and soon Eftsr came
I in sight of ssOther regiment but fsw yards away
To be sare there was DO mistake ColoHef TaF>
Tor shouted to the Colonel, and asked Who be
was?
The Colonel Of the eth ? was the reply.
"Of what OH %
-Dan,t shoot said the Yankee, avss are friends
| South Csrolinians."
"On which side are you ~ asked Colonel TAYLOR.
4 "For the Unlo1,D and Immediately alter the Gel
tonel gave the Command 10 fire, and yOlley was
poured into the Kentuckizns from the % I1fsa'ry
I regulars, U. $. A. The engagement then became
general, End our four regiments, VItb CsEz. Catls
four guns, were soo1 actively engaged. The Yam
KEGS had every advantages CT position. There " ere
several houses along the Leesburg turnpike, and
| back Of 1t bill upon which their battery wac
placed. Lower down. snd opposite the lIih was
another battery placed 10 position to enflaas the
turnpike should We enter i5. The main battery Of
six guns swept the road upon which We were ad-
vancing, snd kept up an ineessaut frsof grape,
canister and spherical case. The accuracy of their
aim was remarkable considering the rapidly with
which the guns were fired. Capt. Cuts got three
Of hiss pieces IN position, and returned the se rap
idly and successful y.
Meanwhile the enemy advanced several regi-
ments of infantry, and protected by the nature OF
the ground, came within hundred yards Of US
and forming n lins, fired for some time, keeping
the air full Of minnie balls and fiaally attempted
to charge. Three times the officers gave the order
and tried to get their men forward but failed They
could not be pushed into the thic1es. Soon after
TINS the firing on both sides ceased but not before
great damage was done 10 cur force For over an
hour both sides had kept an ircessaut firing. The
wounded and dad lay on every aide, and the rTgi
ments were beginning to get scattered.
To give little more IN detail As our first ad-
vance were nasrchIng by the flank towards the
Yankee skirmishers, two companies of the Ilth
Virginia Wers thrown gu. as skirm!shers and sent
forward. Capt houst0n's company charged the
Yankees with shout and drove them TO- and soon
after the shout was taken up by others snd ell ad-
ysneed within sight OF DrsCesvile Company A.
Of the llth, was deployed the right, but by some
means got lost, and Was separated from tie reQi>
ment until the fight was over.
When the enemy formed IN line Of battle Col For
ney drew the 10Th AlzbaHis up also. and prepared
TO advance upon them. The GOODNESS and daring
courage displayed By Col. FOrDey was observed by
every body. lie rode backward and forward in !
front Of the line, encouraging his men and in get
ting all prepared for the coming struggle. The same
can be said Of Col. Garland. Soon alter the firing
commenced Col. FOrney was shot through the rfzht
arm, Lieutenant Colonel Martin was killed, and the
command Of the regiment devoved on Msj1r Wood. /
ard, Who commanded on one eide the road, and the
senior Captain on the other. This regiment lost |
more than any other. The Sumter ARTILLERY was |
in the road, and had three guns IN position. Ouly
IOur pieces were OQ- Gul AUOUs sixty men Can't. (!
Cuts and his men fought bravsy and suffered Sc /
verely. The enemy's batteries played upon him for
some time, and killed nearly al bs horses des tr5yed
one Timber, and exploded caissOn. Twenty i've I
horses wsre left dead upon the fzld The guns till
kept firing, and did good execution, every Gh5t scat
tering the Yankees and telling uyou them seriously
BE succeeded in breskihg thar line and IN driving
their sharp shooters from the house behind which
they were hidden. When ordered 10 fall back the /
pieces we're taken to the rear By aald, W-h The as
sstsnce Of the infantry.
Seeing the wagons safely to ths rear, Gen Stu
art gave orders 10 fall bach 10 Z better position
The regiment marched to the rear in good order, /
both sides having ceased firing. at this time Col.
Tom Taylor rode to the right 10 see what disposi
ton had been made Of his neig h5oTs and on return
ing found his regiment gose, and himself nearly /
surreusded by Yankee cavalry. Throwing himself /
down he eluded them AID Afterwards ereBt int a
pine eoppice, and remained there until dark with
Yankees on each side Of him. At night he escsped
and joined his ggiment this morning. sustaining no
injury beyond slight scratch on the hand BY I
Rusket ball.
Taking his force to the rear, where tia ground /
offered better positions Gen Stusrt once more drew
Up his force and awaited the enemy. but he had /
enough Of it and was not disp0sed % give battle
again Thuz ended the battle of DrainesyilIe
which, although disastrous to us, VISA more so to \
the enemy, recent reports are true Il is believe
ed there were seven regiments Of infantry, one Of
cavalry, and eight pieces e light artillery against
us.
Il