The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1861-11-05


returned, Gro sscd the river, and reported to
General Stone that there were no hostile for
ces in that region. But after Col. Devens
fell back his men were placed IN semi'cir-
cular clearing, on natural forest opening,
covering five or six acres, with its base resting
On the edge Of the heights, and fsnked and
fronted by forest. The enemy becoming
bolder, advanced in scattered parties to the
edge of these woods, and from 10 A. M. till
4P. NJ. kept up random, annoying hre
upon our men. The latter sheltered them
selves as well as they could, lying just
below tho ridge and awaiting reinforce
ments.
At 4, then our whole force had crossed
and ascended, Colonel Baker and staff with
the rest, and the troops were suffering some
what from the concealed enemy's fire. Many
had dropped and had been carried down the
hill.
We asked Colonel Baker what he thought
of affairs. He said that he thought We had
good position; could fall back for shelter
behind the ridge. "Yes,' said we, "but
what's in those woodsw He answered.
81 think the enemy are concealed on our
right" A private had reported that there
was no force on the left, but deep ravine,
hidden by the woods. We then proposed
sending skrmishers to make reconnaissance
on the right and Captain Markoe, Second
Lieut.. Williams, and myself advanced with
Companies A and d OF the California Reg-
ment Company got in front on rising
ground in skrmi.hing order, Company ID
following in line.
The California battalion to make the
story clear, were drawn up on the left OF the
open fed; the Massachusetts, 18th and
Tammany on the right and the Massa-
cAusatts 29th nearer the centre. Col. Coggs-
well took charge of the artillery. Only four
guns were planted in the field, the rifled gun
having been hauled up at the wrong place,
and beng a!terward seized by the enemy aud
spiked.
When our diminishing companies had
reached the edge of the woods, suddenly the
enemy, hitherto concealed, rose with yell
AMI fired yollcv; then began firing in th"
usual manner: first . wing yell and roley;
then loading aud firing at Will for few min
u,es; then casing an equal time; then Civ
inc another veil and vollsy, and so on, pour
mo murl,ious ,olley into our little band
for tho space of halt An hour. The whole
wood. around swarned with them. They
had no artillery aad ~ cayalry. Our Rhode
ISLANDERS except the officers, deserted their
guns but Colonel Baker Liautenan: Colonel
Wi,tar, Colonel Cosgswell and Aljnlant
Harvey manned the battery, aud fired the
guns themselves, aided by Company q, lst
California, led by the gallant Capt. BeriaI.-
(rhe latter was conspicuous for bravery
throughout the action; h is wounded. but
not daugarousy, aud is now safe on Mary
land ground.)
We k4pt up both musketry and cannon
fire as well as we could, but half the time we
could not see lhe enemy, aud his cowardly
discharges were thinning our ranks; still
most Of the men stood firm aud acted brave
". The enemy, voIley and yelIs increased
N were s"ur lou i wpH in "iy1Gs % 1s AIR. AIR. fPS
Stewart, General stones aAjutant, came
on the field with the cheering statement that
General German would shortly support us -
At 81 p. NJ. we held council Of war,
and resolved to stand gr und, General
Baker ordering me to 60 for reinforcemenS.
By this time Gosgswel was wounded
Wis,ar had fallen. Tho enemy were
growing more daring, rushing ont of the
woods taking som prisoners, and firing hot
Just then a rebel officer, riding white
horse, came out uf the woods and beckoned
, /, ~ 10 como forward. Colonel Baker
thought it was General Johnston, and that
the enemy would meet us in open fight
; Part Of our column charged, Baker cheer
int us on, when a tremendous onset was
male by the rebels. One man rode fo;.
ward. prescpted revolver at Baker, and
free all It's charges at him. Our gallant
leader fcll, aud at the same moment all our
lines were driven back by the overwhelm.
V inc force opposed to them. But Capt. Beiral,
with his company, fought his way back to
! Col. Bakers body, rescued it, brought 1t
= along to ne, aud then general retreat com,
/, menced.
! 1t was saurs ri pem! l got tho Colonel.
= body 10 tic Island before the worst Of the
| route and then, looking to the Virginia shore
a saw such a spectacle as no tonse can de.
, scribe. Oar entre f,rces were retreating,
a tumJlug, rolling, leaping down the stoed
: hei5 5hts, the enemy following them, murder
ing aud taking prisoners. Col. Devens left
I, his commani, ani swan the river on hort
back. Cd. CoLgswell, after unavailable
;, bravery, had ordered the retreat himself, but
!. being wounded was taken. The one boa
in the Virginia channel was speedily fi,Iel
> and sunk. \ thousand men throngei the
!. further bank Mu,kets, coats aud everything
were thrown aside, and all were de,peratei,
n trying to escape. Hundreds plunged int
4 tue rapid current, and tho shreks of tbs
j, drowning added to the horror of sounds anC
20 sights. The enemy Kept up their fire from
the cliff above. All was terror, confusion
Y and Jismay. a Captain OF the Fliteentl
l. Massachusetts, at one moment cLa'gel gal
lantly up the hill, leading two c)mPanle.
who still had their arms, against the pursu
" ing foe. A moment later and the same OF
III ficer. perceivng the hopclessness of the situa
= tion, waved white handkerchief, and SUI
! rendered the main body Of his regiment.- =
I' Other portions Of the column surrendered
" bit the rebels kept up their fire upon thos
who tried to cross, AMI many not browne
:. in the rivcr were shot in the act Of swim
- ming.
NJ Night came on. At p. NJ. all Of or
- band hose fortune it was TO return had Ian
n \ 81 L. E.a fen,