The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-07-31

second New York regiments were thrown
into the woods in advance on the left.
The sixty-ninth New York, the first, sec
ond, 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-pounder threw two shells directly
into the battery at the summit Of the
slope, on the opposite height, one CT which,
as [ learned afterwards, struck and ex-
ploded directly in the midst Of the battery,
and occasioued the utmost havoc and con-
fusion.
After about half an hour, Captain Ayers
threw ten or fifteen shot and shell from
his battery into the same place. But both
failed to elicit any reply. Men could be
seen moving about the opposite slope, but
tie batteries were silent. An hour or SO
afterwards We heard three or four heavy
guns from Colonel Richardson's column
at Bull Run, and these were continued at
intervals for two or three hours, but they
were not answered even BY single guu.
It was very clear that the enemy intended
to take his own time for paying his re-
spects to US, and that he meant, moreover,
to do it in his own way. Meantime we
could hear In the distance the sound OF
/ Colonel Hunters axemen, clearing the
way, and awaited with some Impotence
the sound of his cannon on the opposite
heights. Time wore along with occasional
shots from our guns, as we'll as those OF
Colonel Richardson's column, but With
out, in a single instance, receiving any
reply.
at little before eleven o'clock, the
first Ohio and second New York, which
were lying in the woods on the left, were
ordered to advance. They did so-pass-
inc out of the road and climbing fence
into a wood opposite, which they had
barely approached, however, when they
were met by a tremendous discharge of a
four pound battery, planted at the left in
the woods, mainly for the purpose OF
sweeping the road perpendicularly 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
Ayers battery formerly Sherman's) was
advanced a little, so as to command this
battery, and By twenty minutes Of Tigor-
GUS play upon it, sileuced 1t completely.
AT half past eleven we heard Hunters
guns on the opposite height, over mile
to the right. He was answered by BAT
teries there, and then followed the sharp,
rafting volleys of musketry as their in
fantry became engaged. The firing was
now incessant. Hunter had come upon
them suddenly, and formed his line OF
battle in an open field, at the right Of the
read. The enemy drew up to oppose him,
but he speedily drove them to retreat and
follow d them up with the greatest Tigor
and rapidity. Meantime, fer some three
hours previous, we had seen long lines OF
dense dust rising from the roads leading
from Manassas, and with the glass, We
could very plainly perceive that they were
raised by the constant and steady stream
Of reinforcements which continued to pour
IN nearly the whole day. The sixty ninth,
sevonty-ninth, second and eighth New
YCrk-the first, second, and third Cen
neclicut, and the second Wisconsin, were
brought forward in advance Of the wood
and marched across the field to the right,
to 90 to Colonel Hunters support. They
crossed the intervening stream aud drew
up in a small open field, separated from
Colonel Hunters column by dense
wood, which was filed with batteries and
infantry.
Our guns continued to play upon the
woods which thus concealed the enemy,
and aided materially in clearing them for
the advance. Going down to the extreme
front of the column, [ could watch the
progress of Colonel Hunter; mrked By
the constant roar of artillery and the roll
of musketry, as he pushed the rebels back
from point to point. At l o'clock he had
driven them out Of the woods, and across
the road which was the proIongation Of
that on which we stood. Here, by the
side of their batteries, 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, aud were compelled to fall still fur
ther back. Gradually the point Of FIRE
passed further away,until the dense clouds
Of smoke which marked the progress of
the combat were at least half mile to
the left of what had been the central po-
stion Of the rebels.
1t was now p o'clock. | was at the
advanced point of the front of our column,
some hundred rods beyond the woods, in
which the few troops then there were
drawn up, when I decided to drive back
to the town for the purpose of sending
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