The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-01-01
ouR ARMY CoRREsPoNbENcR.
Camp Piei ponf, Ia, Dec. 81, 1861.

Ma EDITOR :-Y yesterday we had spirited
engagement of three hours. Early in the
morning this Brigads-the lhird--ihe first
Penua. Regiment, and Captain Eas,ons Bat
terry, started on foraging expedition. The
wagons, numbering one hundred, were in
advance of the Brigade. In thus order we
marched along. nothing worthy of note
iranspiring until we reached the vicinity OF
Drainsville. Here a portion of the first
Regiment who were darIoyed as skirmsh
sers on our extreme left, were fred oG and
driven in. At.this junc,ure the enemy an
masked battery that was concealed in
swood south of u.s. They opened fire on our
artillery men who were busily engaged in
.planting their pieces on a rising piece of
ground During his time ihe Infantry were
forming in line of battle on the pike. But
one shot done execution, that passing
through the ninth regiment, killing two men.
Their firing was wild and irregular, their
shell bursting high in the air. By THIS time
our battery commenced sbarkins' al a feat
ful rate. The gnnners were cool and DELHI
crate, ai1ing their guns with precision, and
sent heir sho, and shell crashing through
The enemy. The second and third shots
.dssuoYed their magazine, and'srhe ninth
a5d tenth silsheed their guns. The infantry,
after giving three cheers, marched forward
and soon reached tie wood. We had sd-
svanced but short distance when hey sa
lutsd Us with volley of muskeirY, killing
but few as they shot too high. The salute
was promptly returned. 1t was a warm
one, bni TO all appearances was received
with much dissatisfaction. They immedi
.ately decided .sdiscretion the better part of
saIorn and turned their backs 10 the fire.
They were persaed by our brave boys. and
few Of flls panic9 stricken ''seceshH joined
their reserve
Again they rallied, and volley after soiley
was fred at our ranks. The bullets few
thick and fast, reminding one of The ''un-
certainty of life" and making muic that
few can appreciate. Again they were re
pulsed with great loss, when they hitched
10 theiEcannoD and commenced a preeipi-
safed retreat towards CentFesiile. Some
parts of the battle ground were literally COW
cred with dead. rebels. | counted as high
as Twelve together.
There uniforms, or rather cIoihes,-for
there was 20 uniformity about their dress
were of different color and texture The
majority wore '.linsey weolsey" or shut
terautIbrown'' as The boys call it. In their
retreat they threw awayovefcoats, cartridge
boxes, canteens, havefsacks, filed with
good biscuits, (for tasted them, } muskets,
&C., in fact every thing that would tighten
their load The road leading 10 cehueyiile
was for short distance blocked up with
gun carriages, meu and dead horses. They
left all.sheir Ammunition behind.
The5enemy had at least Eve Thousand
engaged. Their Brigade OF Infantry was
composed OF Sonth Carolina, Georgia, and
Kentucky troops. Our Number actually en-
gagged was but three thousand.
Unr loss is as follows First Regiment
three killed and twelve wounded; Ninth
fwo killed and twenty wounded; SIKH, three
killed and twelve wounded. The enemy
had AT least seventy i've killed and grea
many wounded, many of which Che wound
sd) were left behind
Among the killed in the Skin Regimen
vas Samuel c. Walter, member of on
compang, ihe siron Gnasds.'t The bal
saisFsd his chin and came out at the bacl
OF his neck. He fell al head of his com
papx = brave and tr1s soldier. We mis-
him. - - -
Oar gallant l:,,le Captain is The 'Fieh
man 10 the ngh: place" He is eompOses