The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-08-02

menus DelOnginB VI huotn0f uiNisiou w poes ~
the 'front.' We remained halted about an hour.
and then resumed our march. As we reashed
the top Of the hill, and cast our eyes to the
right, to the len, to our front, and to our rear,
Il was impossible not to be forcibly impressed
with the grandeur Of the scene around u.s.
The country, so far rs the eye could reach, APP
peared literally covered with troops, dressed
In every imaginable variety Of uniforms, from
the bright, glossy colors Of the zouaves to tho
sombre gray Of the volunteers; while the in
cessant glittering and flashing Of thousands
and thousands Of bayonets and sabres in the
morning sunbeams, was perfectly dazzling. II
was sight calculated to inspire every heart
with confidence. and our troops must not be
too much blamed for anticipating an easy VIC
tory. 1t Is not to be wondered at that the men
who saw those columns advancing with the
steadincss Of veterans, should feel confident
that the sun, just then rising In the East, would
set with the stars and stripes waving from the
rebel entertainments. They did not know they
had no General.
On our way through Centreville We passed
the building used as hospital f9S1hosc wound
ed in the engagement Of the Thursday prcvi-
Gus. Many of the poor fellows were at the
doors and windows; their pale, wan faces look
ing bright in anticipation Of (as they believcd)
the splendid victory to be achieved that day
"we should like to be with you." said one.
"but-" and as he uttered the last word, he
glanced down at his leg which had been shat
tered by grape shot.
Passing short distance beyond the village.
the troops filed to the lef. Our brigade pro-
ceeded about q miles down the road, when the
word shalt" was given, and the men received
permission to fall out and rest under the shade
of the trees which skirted the roadside. We
were then in front of the enemy's position, and
about half mile from them. We had remain
ed here, perhaps, some three-quarters OF an
hour, when the report Of q cannon towards the
front told us that the ball had been opcned-it
was soon followed by another-and another
In half an hour the cannonadiDg had become
general, and the stiffness Of the Sabbath fore
noon was broken by the booming Of the heavy
guns-the dull explosion Of the shells, and the
rafting of musketry. Our brigade soon be-
came impatient, and cries such as "What are
they stopping for," "why don't they move
us on 30 was heard on all sides. Some Of our
mounted officers rode to the front, among
them Major Hamilton Of the 5th. lie soon re-
turned, and stated that he had seen our NOR
tars plant three shells in the midst Of the
''devils," at the same time expressing his be-
lief that our artillery was using them up"
rapidly. Shortly after a mounted negro came
from the direction Of the front. His mouth
was distended with the broadest of grins, as he
yelled that the secessionists had run up flag
Of truce. From that time our men made up
their minds that there was no fighting for them.
All they would have to do would be to pursue
the rebels at the close Of the fight, and secure
the prisoners; and this impression was upper.
most in the minds of the men composing the
brigade, until their arrival, two hours after
wards, upon the field of battle, in rear Of en-
emy's position. There, they found. un fortu-
nately, that the prisoners were likely to be
made on the wrong side.
We received orders at l0t A. NJ. to proceed
by circuitous route In rear Of the rebel posi-.
ton. In order to do this we had to traverse n
distance Of nine miles. This distance was
accomplished in less than two hours. The
day was intensely hot, the road was Of the
worst possible description, the troops were
heavily laden with their arms, ammunition.
equipments and blankets; they were worn out
with want of sleep, and ,oant of food, and out
Of the 900 men that commenced the march, on
ly $50 were able at first to form in line Of battle,
and those more than half dead with fatigue.
We wish we could describe that march, but
we can't-it was perfectly indescribable. For
the first four miles not man fell out, though
the dust almost choked us, and our tongues
were parched with thirst; but when, on enter
ing field that had been recently plowed, the
order "Double quick" was given for the third
or fourth time, men who had struggled hard to
keep up felt that they could do so no more, and
soon long line Of stragglers was seen in rear
Of the column, slowly dragging their weary
bodies along, while many others lay gasping
and fainting by the roadside. In vain our Ad-
jutant exclaimed. "You'll all be shot down
like dogs" In vain Col. Dunnell cried, "Not
another man leave the ranksv" The voice of
exhausted nature demanded rest. We left the
ranks with one or two others, about two miles
from the battle. field. After tedious search,
we found a thick mud puddle. No mine of
gold, at that moment, could have more delight
ed our eyes. No fears Of cholera mor5us pre-
vented us from drinking freely of the putrid,
stagnant liquid. How II refreshed us! By its
aid we were able to join the main body Of the
regiment about half mile from the battle
field. The main body of the 5th then consisted
Of about 200 men the 4th probably had 800,
and the Sd about the same number as the 5th.
AS We neared the scene Of action we were
met by the remains ola Mass. regiment which
had just been severely handled by the seces-
sionlsts. We asked them eagerly "How
goes the battle?' They replied, for what
reason we cannot tell, "ths rebels are retreat.
ing. We have whipped them completely"
You should have heard the shout that went
up from our too credulous brigade, Coward !
Onward We heard on all sides, Onward, or
we shall losc them" All fatigue was forgot.
ten, all other thoughts swallowed up in the
desire to get one shot at the enemy before
they could escape. But We were destined
soon to be undeceivcd. An ambulance wag.
son, full Of wounded and dying men, followed
by another and another until the number
swelled to twenty, making all haste to the
rear, did not seem to us very conclusive
token of victory. As we emerged from the
woods on our left which concealed us from