Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-07-03

field Immediately in front of it, upon which
the masses of the enemy might be rapidly
deployed, Presuming an attempt would be
made to carry the bridge across the stream,
battery was made for its special protection,
and Maj. Randolph placed his guns SO as to
sweep all the approaches to it. The occupa-
tion of two commanding eminences beyond
the creek and on our right, would have great
ly strengthened our position, but our force
was too weak to admit of the occupation of
more than one of them. A battery was laid
out for one of Randolph's Howitzers. We
had only % spades, 6 axes, and picks, but
these We're busily piled all day and night of
the 18th, and all day on the 9Th. On the af--l
ternoon of the 6th, | learned that marau-
ding party of the enemy was in a few miles
of u.s. i called for party of 81 men 70 drive I
thef@ back. Lieut.. Rvbeyts, Of Fcempaay, /
of my regiment promptly responded, and in
five minutes his command was en- route /
detached Maj. Randolph with one howitzer
to join him, and Lieut. COL Lee. lst Regi-
ment N. G. Volunteers, requested and was |
! granted permission to take command of the |
| whole. After a march of five miles, they |
came across the marauders busy over the |
| spoils of a plundered house. shell soon
| put the plunderers to fight and they were
chased over New Market Bridge, where our
little force was halted in consequence of the
! presence of considerable body stationed on
the other side. Lieut. COL Lee brought in
one prisoner. How many of the enemy were
| killed and wounded is not known. None of
our command were hurt. Soon after Lieut..
| Col. Lee left, citizen came dashing in with
the information that 75 marauders were on
the Back River road. called for Cast. Nc
DowelPs Company E of the 1St Regiment n
/ NN1,, =. Al.
in hot pursuit. Lieut.. West of the Howit-
zer Battalion with one piece was detached 10
join them, and Maj. Lane Of my regiment
volunteered TO assume command Of the whole.
After weary march, they encountered, dis
persed and chased the wretches over New
Market bridge-this being the second race
On the same day over the New Market course,
in beth of which the Yankees reached the
goal first. Major Lane brought in one pris-
oner Reliable citizens reported that two
cart loads and one buggy load of wounded
were brought into Hampton. We had not
single man killed or wounded. Col Magru-
der came up that evening and assumed COM
mand.
On Sunday the 9th, fresh supply of
tools enabled US to put more men to work,
and when not engaged in religious duties, the
men worked vigorously on the entrenchments.
| ~ hNlO diOuSSO dt IuI6C u CLOCK OH AOnQaY
morning, for general advance on the enemy,
and marched three miles and half, when we
learned thai the foe in large force was within
lew hundred yards of US. W. fell back
hastily upon our entertainments and awaited
the arrival OF our invaders. Lieut. Col Stew
8 IVA men. CIT me
| hill on the extreme right beyond the creek,
: and company G of my Regiment was also
f thrown over the Stream to protect the hOwit-
e zer under Capt. Brown. Capt. Bridges of
e company a, 1st n c. regiment. took post in
D the dense wood beyond and to the left Of the
: bridge Maj. Montague, with three compa-
nies Of his battalion, was ordered up from the
), rear and took post on our right, beginning
e at the Church and extending along the en-
: tire front that side. This fine body Of
y men, and the gallant command of Lieut.. Col.
r Stewart, worked with great rapidity, and in
an hour had constructed temporary shelters
n against the enemy's fire. just at o'clock
N A. NJ, the heavy columns ofthe enemy were
le seen approaching rapidly, and in good order,
but when Randolph opened upon them at 8
le their organization was completely broken up
The enemy promptly replied with his Artil
n lery, firing briskly and wildly, and made al
lg attempt at deployment on our right of tn,
so road under cover of some houses and pail
y, ing. They were however, promptly driver
e bdSh Wy Jul 1Al
h. (the Life Guards) and companies B, G and
a of my regiment. The enemy made no de
le, ployment within musketry range during th
lie day except under cover of the trees, he moN
ID, ed a strong column to an old ford some tbret
i'd fourths of mile below where had place
1T, picket of some 40 men. Gen. Magrunde
G sent Capt. Worth's company of Montague
S. command, with one howitzer under Sergear
nd Crane, to drive back this column which Wi
done by single shot from the howtZer.-
Before this priming wire had been broke
sp- in the vent of the howitzer commanded |
Capt Brown and rendered it useless. 4 for
lis estimated at 1900 was now attempting to o
flank us and get in the rear of Lieut.. CT
ter Stewards small command He was acce
ng dinghy directed to fall back and the who
ny of our advanced troops were withdrawn
a At this critical moment directed Lieut.. G,
in Lee to call Capt. Bridges out of the swan
cy, and order him ts occupy the nearest adyanc
work, and ordered Capt. Ross, company
lst Regiment n. c. Volunteers, TO the su
cid port of Lieut. COL Stewart These two Ca
my tains with their companies, crossed over
Randolph's battery under most heavy iii
lis in the most gallant manner. As Lieut.. c
Stewart had Withdrawn, Captain Ross v
cor detained az the church near RandolDhis 3
lti- terry. Capt. Bridges, however, crossed o.
LepS anu drove the L0uaYeS out OF the adYdn'
YOU Howitzer Battery and re-occupied it. 1t
n impossible TO oger-estimatc this service.
ling decided the action in our favor. In obt
snty ence to orders from Col. Magrudcr, Lie
Col Stewart rushed back, and spite Of
lon- presence of foe ten times his superior
two numbers, resumed in the most heao IN
ner, possession of his Entertainments.
they fresh howitZer as carried across and pa
e of in the Battery, and Capt. Avery, of Com
ny G, was directedto defend it at all hazAl
We were now as secure as at the Geeihn
of the fight, and as yet had no man kil
The enemy finding himself foiled on
light flank, next made his final demonst
ton on our left. A strong column, suppo
inn to consist of volunteers from different r.
a. in ments and under command of Capt. "
,oyn- throp, Aid-de-camp to Gen. Butler, eros
nv over the creek and appeared at an angle
mis- cur left Those in advance had .put on
pton distinctive badge of white band around
amp cap, ,snd they cried out repeatedly doat +
This yuse was ptacticed 10 enable the vi
wet column to get over the creek and form in 2
n the order. They now began to cheer most |
sance lily thinking that our work was open at
q. / gorge and that they could get in by SUD
front rush. Companies D and G, however, ;
; left dispeled the illusion by acool, deliberate
/. ex- well-directed fire. Col. Magruder sent
Ith Of portions of G, @ and N. companies OF
ltiva- regiment to their support. And now be
cfthe as cool firing on our side as was ever witr
.losed ed The three field officers of the rcgir
i ......n ..-.-ox,t and h,,< faru ctn4e. v-o,o