Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-07-18
Our Army Correspondence.
FROM THE FOURTH REGIMENT.
CANT NEAR WESTERN LANDING,

tAMr NEAR w EsrERN LANDING, I
Va, July 9th.
Mr.. EDIToR; My last, if it reached you,
informed your readers Of the commencement
OF our movement to change our lines, though
entirely unsuspectod at the time / mean the
first engage ent on our right, up the Chick
ahomny, the prelude to other important
events in which we have been called to bear
an honorable part, and whose results are as
yet imperiectly developed. After mailing my
letter, as night drew on, the din and uproar
OF battle, in strange contrast with the tran
guilty of the hour, became louder and more
fearful, indicating "A spirited engagement, evil
IDENTIFY, too, turning in our favor After hav.
ing retired for the night we were called out
to cheer for the soldiers on our right and the
repulse OF the enemy, and long and loud were
the notes from camp after camp Early next
morning we were in battle line, and our ears
were soon greeted with the sound of musket-
ry and occasional cannonading, which increas-
ed to a perfect roar. Unaccountably and to
our surprise the sounds indicated that our
forces were falling back and that surprise in
creased in the afternoon when it was found
that the rebels we're nearly opposite us on
the other side Of the Chickahominy. and il
was reported that our own forces had been or
dered back to draw them on. In the after
noon heavy guns were brought to bear. and
sent the appropriate welcomes, which scatter-
ed the rebels like sheep. In the latter part
OF the afternoon, about the time the engage
ment was renewed across the valley, the
Fourth went out into the woods, by the pick
ct line, as a support in case Of an attack.
| We lay for time listening to the sounds,
when the din Of battle arose on our left, and
soon the shells and shot whzzed over our
heads from the rebel fort, we being nearly in
range between the forts and batteries on each
side, but too low to receive injury, and safer
than in camp, near which several shells burst,
injuring some and where one Of the Fifth
was instantly killed by a solid shot About
shutdown, as the conflict was ceasng on the
left, the pickets in front of us fired, startling
US for moment, though we had good reason
TO expect an attack. so that we commenced
firing before the pickets came in, but as they
were IN slight hollow, between the two fires,
but few were injured. The panic which first
seized US soon ceased, and directing our aim
as best we could we fred from ten to thirty
rounds each-somo companies by rank or file
and others at will. The enemy's missiles
were thrown too high to injuro us or hardly
attract notice. Some three or four were
woundod--no more than in other regiments
by stray bullets while coming to our sup
port. We fired low enough, probably, to do
some executions at least, the pickets thought
our balls came pretty low, cutting of the
oats little too closely. About IL p. NJ. we
went in and slept till morning, when We were
ordered TO clean our arms and prepare TO
march. About noon we started just as our
regiment was forming, the shot and shell be-
gan TO fly over us. We were taken over the
brow Of a HILL though nearly in range Of
their batteries, and laid down in close column,
while the shells burst over our heads in a
rather unpleasant manner, but fortunately
without doing any injury. We soon wound
of into the woods, where we lay for a time.
till other regiments who left in a hurry could
go back and get their stuff. The firing hav-
ing ceased we then drew off mile or more
into piece of woods, and lay till morning,
when we commenced our march. We halted
for awhile, about morning, after a slow and
tedious march then resumed it and came out
in line of battle near Savagc's Station We
soon moved across the railroad into piece of
woods, then starting, towards shutdown,
marched mile or two, afte. which we we're
taken back, except the Fourth, which was
posted in the rear, on the left flank, while
others engaged the enemy. It was here that
our brigade suffered heavy loss, especially in
the Fifth, the battle being very spirited for a
short time. am unable to give particulars
of losses. The Fourth, from its position
an important one-iortunately escaped loss or
having part in the engagement. Towards
midnight we resumed our march, and after
tedious delay crossed White Oak Creek lust
before daybreak. Rest would have been
welcome, but we were kept moving about aud
continually changing our position. Some
time about noon, while many were asleep, the
enemy suddenly opened on us with shell,
which flew like halistones, we being IN full
sight, we should not have been There
was then a scramble for the woods, and as
sure you many left their effects, and some
their arms in short. such was the surprise
that 1t came near being an utter rout but we
rallied and formed behind cover Of woods
while our batteries were put to work, and
kept at l. beautifully, soon stopping our I'M
pleasant visitors the shells, which did far less .
damage than one would have SUPP osed, hurt .
ing but few, as known, in our brigade, but
owing to some being missed it is hard to tell
exactly. We drew off again at night, and
have not since been troubled by the enemy.
My letter is very meagre, but the first and
best | could send on account OF fatigue and
fatigue duty. Yours, S.