The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-07-07
RENEwAL OF THE FIGHT.

The fight was shortly renewed again. 1t
was evident the enemy had been reinforced.
They were holder in their demonstrations,
and now came rushing from the woods Our
men were ready to meet them, and again
there was desperate 6ghtlng-this time
more desperate than before. The mutual
yells of the men as they advanced to fire
upon one another could be heard above the
roar of artillery. This was the most excl
ting and earnest fight of the day. The can
non let fly grape, shot and canister the
volleys of musketry were incessant, and
dashing charges and counter charges were
made with bold impetuosity. No battle was
ever more earnestly fought. Officers and
men acquitted themselves with great gall
lantry.
AT one time our columns pushed The enc
my from their position, aud then the latter
came back with overwhelming force on our
troops. Our men gave way but for mo-
ment. With yell and a bound they would
dash again at the enemy. | am satisfied
from the recitals of every one that, for
deeds of personal daring, no battle of the
present war can produce more numerous or
notable examples. l only regret my inabil-
ity at present TO make their beroism and
names known to the public.
ARRIVAL OF EEINFJRcEMENTs.
!
AS mentioned above, it was evident that
the enemy had been reinforced. The fresh
ness and vigor of their lighting showed it,
and The statements of prisoners confirmed
it. They greatly outnumbered us. Only
one course remained to prevent defeat, and
that was asking for rentorcements. They
were asked for and given. | do not know
the exact order of their coming, but before
the days work ended there had come across
the Chickahominy TO our aid Gen Slocum's
division, and General Palmer, French and
Meagher's brigades, besides two or lhrte
Populations OF cavalry. The fresh arrivals
gave new impetus 10 the struggle. The new
men, like those they aided and relieved,
fought with the courage and desperation of
old and we'll trained troops. Gen. Meagher'S
men went into the fight with coats off and
sleeves rolled up, and fought with the fierce
ness OF tigers. All of Gen'l Palmer's men
wore straw hats. They made their bats
visible in the thickest OF the fight. Their
utility a mark as night advanced, and
the air grew darker, | am afraid lost more
than one poor fellow his life. mike sig
nal mention of this brigade, not that they
fought better than any other in the fight
lu because Of their conspicuOusness on the
field Duryea's q 1uaves, too, were alike
conspicuous on account of their uniforms
They foughr, as did all the regu airs under
| Gen. Sy kes-to whose brigade they are now
attached with undaunted courage.
sTAMPEDEs
Some of cur soldiers, the wearied, reliev-
ed and suaggers near the house occupied
as General McCIellau's headquarters took
occasion to get panic stricken twice in the
afternoon, thinking that the enemy were
pressing too close upon them for personal
safety. They went skedadding down the
hill leading to the Woodbury. bridg with Il
rapidly highly complimentary to their
power of locomotion. For a time, by the
mad rush of teamstears and civilians there
was promise of second edition of Bull
Run. In the latter stampede they met with
a musketed and bhyoneted guard, who gave
the skedaddIers the alternative of a return
TO their regiments or bayonet thrust. They
accepted the former alternative. 1t viii be
unders. ooi that this panic was confined to a
| few. Had uOt vigorous measures been Ia
ken, however, to nip it in the bud, disas-
trUus results might possibly have ensued.
a the time of this panic the enemy were
making seemingly, their fual desperate eff
fort. they repeatedly attempted to force
our men into the low ground between the
hill ard the bridge. They saw " hat was to
be gained by accomplishing this object. Be-
fore our retreatin column could have cross
ed the narrow bridge, tens of thousands
must have been slaughtered The adj +cent
marsh is impossible, and to have attempted
ii would have been TO meet another kind of
death The enemy, indeed, almost reached
the brow of the hill. Mad pursuit and de-
structiou of our men seemed imminent. 1t
was at this time Colonel Meaghers brig
ade came 10 the rescue. The addition 10
our forces caused the enemy to fall back.
The tide in the affair Of the day was chang
ed. The day was ours thenceforth.