The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-08-02

longer range than any other in the army,
was planted directly in the road. Capt.
Ayres' battery was stationed in the woods
little to the right. The first Ohio and
the Cd New York regiments were thrown
into the woods in advance on the left
The Sixty ninth, New York, the First
Second and Third Connecticut regiments
were ranged behind them, and the Second
Wisconsin was thrown into the woods on
the right. At about half past six O'Clock
the 30 FOUNDER threw two shells directly
into the battery at the summit of the slope,
on the opposite height, one of which, it is
stated, struck and exploded directly in the
midst of the battery, and occasioned the
utmost havoc and confusion. After some
half an hour Capt. Ayres threw ten OF fif-
teen shot and she'll from his battery into
the same, bat both failed to elicit any
reply. Men could be seen moving about
the opposite slope, but the batteries were
silent. An hour or so afterwards three
or four guns were heard from Col. Rich
ardson's column at Bulls Run, and these
were continued at intervals for two or
three hours, but they were not answered,
even by a single gun from the enemy
Meantime, in the distance, could be dis
tinguished the sound of Col. Hunters axe
men clearing the way, and awaiting with
some impatience the sound Of lis cannon
on the opposite heights. Time wore along
with occasional shots from our guns, as
well as from those of Col. Richardson's
column, but in no single instance receiving
any reply.
At a little before II o'clock, the 1st
Ohio and % New York (militia) which
were lying in the wood on the left, were
ordered to advance. They did SO, passing
out the road and climbing fence into a
wood opposite, where they had barely ap-
preached, however, when they were met
by tremendous discharge from n four
gun battery, planted at the left in the
woods, mainly for the purpose Of sweeping
the road perpendicular'y and the open
field on its right by which alone troops
could pass forward to the opposite bank
They were staggered for moment, and
received orders to retire. Captain Ayres'
battery (formerly Sherman's) was advance
ed a little, SO as to command this battery,
and by twenty minutes vigorous play upon
it, silenced it completely.
At half past IL, Hunters guns opened
on the opposise height, over mile to the
right. lie was answered by the batteries
there, and then followed the sharp, rafting
volleys of musketry, as their infantry be
came engaged. The firing now became
incessant. Hunter had come upon them
suddenly, and formed his line Of battle in
an open field, at the right of the road
The enemy drew up to oppose him, but
he speedily drove them to retreat, and
followed them up with the greatest vigor
and rapidity.
During all this time, however, the enemy
had not been idle, as was plain from the
dense and continuous clouds of dust rising
in the direction of Manassas Junction,
and indicating the incessant advance of
reinforcements from the fortified camp
there, which continued to pour in through
the entire day.
The Goth, 10Th, ID and Sth. New Yo,k,
lAiO IoG, ~, 1Il cu SObuCCtiCuL, anu tIIG
ID Wisconsin Regiments were now bro't
forward in advance Of the wood, and
marched across the field to the right to
Col. Hunters support. The Goth was
assigned the post of honor in the advance.
They crossed the intervening stream, and
drew up in small open field, separated
from Col. Hunters column by a dense
wood, which was filled with batteries and
infantry. Our guns continued to play
upon the woods which thus concealed the
enemy. and aided materially in clearing
for the advance. The progress Of Col.
Hunters column was marked by the con-
stant roar Of artillery and the roll of
muskctry, as lie pushed the rebels back
from point to point. st l o'clock he had
driven them out of the woods and across
the road. Here, by the side of their bat
terles, the rebels made a stand. They
planted their flag directly in the road, and
twice charged across it upon our men but
without moving them an inch. They were
met by destructive fire, and were com.
PEELED to fall still further back. Tie bat
tie consisted of a succession of fires from
masked batteries, which opened in every
direction. When one was siIenceI, its
place was supplied by two, and in the da
ring charges of our infantry in unmasking
them, the "a Ohio and 2d New York
militia were marched 10y a flank through
the woods, by new made road, within
mile Of the main road, when they came on
battery of eight guns, with four regi-
III en.s flanked in the rear. Our men were
Immediately oide.ed to lie down on either
side Of the road in order to a!o " two pie
ees of artillery to pass tbroygh and attack
the work, when this battery opened upon
US and killed on the third round. Lieut..
Dempsey, of Company G, n. Y. %, and
others. Our troops were kept for fifteen
or twenty minutes under calling fire,
they not being able to exchange shots
with the enemy, although within stones
throw of their batteries. They succeeded
in retiring in regular order, and with
their battery.
The most gallant charge OF the day was
made by !he New York Sixtv>Nlnth,
Seventy Ninth. and Fourteenth, who rush
ed upon one Of the batteries, firing as they
proceeded with perfect ecIat, and attacking
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