The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-06-13
"Honor to whom Honor is due"

We take the following graphic account Of
the heroic and brave conduct Of the first reg
iment of the Excelsior brigade in the battle
of Williamsburg, from tho army corrcspon-
dence of the New York Herald.
Col. VIM. Dwight, Jr., was educated at
West Point. He is the son Of VIM. Dwight
who is Treasurer of the three Companies in
this city, and who has three other sons in the
army, viz, Wilder, Major of the Cd Mass
Howard, Lieut.. Of cavalry company, in
Curtis army of the West, and Charles,
Lieut., of infantry in Col. Dwight's rcsi.
ment.
Mr.. Dwight Is US devoted Union man as
this great, free country contains.
"In the battle of Williamsburg, the first
regiment of the Excelsior brigade (scventietll
regiment New York yolunteer) lost in kill.
ed and wounded twenty-five of its commits.
stoned officers and over three hundred OF its
non.comnissioned officers and privates. Oh
these nine commissioned officers were killed
and over one hundred non.commissioned OF.
licers and privates were buried on the field.
Il is due to these soldiers, commissioned and
non-commissioned, that the story of their
trial and constancy should DO told.
II is pre-tminently due to the officers who
died on that field because u regiment is good
or bad, useful or otherwise, according Us 1t
il disciplined and instructed by its officers
The devotion of those officers to their duties
had made them among the most accomplish.
ed, regular or volunteer, in the service; and
the fruit of their labor was regiment OF
which they were proud. which did honor to
them, to itself and to the army. That the
story should be told is also due to the rank
and file, who with patience submitted to the
most severe discipline and labor, in strong
contrast to much Of the army, believing that
by such submission, they would become
better soldiers, and better serve the great
cause in which they were engaged. How
their hopes were verified, how well their dis
cipline served them in the hour Of trial, and
enabled them to rival the devoted yalor OF
the best troops Of ancient and modern times,
shall now be told. When the division OF
General Hooker, opposite williamsburg,
found itself engaged with an overwhelming
force of the rebels. by whom vigorous at
tempt was made to outaank it, the first ex-
celsior regiment, New York, Col. William
Dwight, Jr., was ordered to take up and hold
q position in the threatened flank. This
regiment relieved the third regiment Of the
same brigade, and took up n position where
it was partially protected by some felled tim
Der. Hardly had the regiment got into line
when Col. Dwight saw u regiment in line OF
LATHE within sixty yards OF him. He was
about to order his regiment to fire, when one
of his officers said, "that is one Of our own
regiments. Col. Dwight hesitated for q
moment. knowing that Patterson's brigade
had taken position earlier in the day to the
lett of his own and fearing mistake. The
Colonel OF the rebel regiment, for so 1t was,
called out, "show your colors." This Col.
Dwight did not do. "Is that the -
regiment" said the rebel Colonel. Then
Col. Dwight ordered his colors to be display.
ed. The rebel Colonel then exclaimed, "you
are prisoners !" A partial vollcy from the
rebel regiment settled the doubt, and ut once
Col. Dwight opened his FIRE. Ills regiment
was armed with the smooth bore musket,
loaded with buck and ball, and their fire, at
this short range was very destructive. So
much 50, that the fire OF this, the FIRST rebel
regiment encountered, was almost slenced by
q few yolleys from Col. Dwight's regiment.
The rebels, however, Immediately reiniorc'.
ed il with two regiments in front Of Colonel
Dwight. Though this force was in front, it
I...N To- Loo
large was on the right flank of the First Ex-
celsior, and then was explained the rebel dc.
mand that the colors should be shown, and
the rebel confidence that without shot the
First Excelsior was regiment OF prisoners.
As long rs the ammunition OF Colonel
Dwight's regiment held out, his men, lying
down and protecting themselves as far as pos.
siblc by the timber, maintained their fire
Their ranks however were rapidly thinned.
The orders wee to hold that position, and
that position they held. They could hear
the rebel volleys far beyond them on their
left turning the position. The Ere OF the
enemy. steadily maintained from three or
more regiments in their front, and on their
right, is described as continuous. destructive
and sweeping. The constant vhirr OF bul.
lets was like the flight Of some vast flock OF
birds of prey. Still, the constancy OF the
First Excelsior regiment stood firm. That
position was key, and key in their keep
ing. The brave Capt. Willard, OF another
regiment, came up to Col. Dwight. and said
to him, "no man can stand this fire." 81
am ordered to hold this position, said Col.
Dwight, sand, besides retreat is impossible,
worse than humiliation" "But," said the
CAPTAIN, and ut that moment ball passed
through his head and the sentence was UNI
spoken. lie was dead. The gallant MAJOR
Stevens, of the third regiment Excelsior brig
AIDE. at this time addressed Col. Dwight 70
know what he thought Of tho position and