Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-23


size side of the river. The remnant of our
oalery moTed across Immediately. II con
sisted only OF six limbers and two caissons
and by daylight next morning ~, -vho,s %
the nghting force of Friday was rnasyed on
Tue south SIDE OF the river and one and a half
miles from SaYages station. The casualties
10 the battery, was D men killed (incIudipg
the Captain) Z wounded, and 8 missing. yyhos-
fate is unknown-tour guns, whole battery
TWO llmbers, two caiSSons, and twenty horses
Saturday we had short rest During the
day learned that Capt. Smith had Z men
sHShtly wounded-none killed, | believe.
But white the Reserve resting the supply
trains were being pushed rapidly forward to-
wards Savage station, and at the same tirne
Geh. Smith was skirmishing with with the enc
my and holding him in check. At 10 2. NJ
Saturday, the train of the Reserve corps com
menced moving, but such was the jam at Saw
ages that 1t was 8 O'Clock Sunday morning
before We could pass. There every thing was
buStle and confusion. All the Government
stores that could not be removed were piled
up and prepared for the flames. We passed
along and reached White Oak swamp about
noon and prepared to rest for the remainder
OF the day About O'Clock an explosion IN
the direction of Savages warned us that the
property that was left there was no more
The last wagon had left aud got to a safe dis
tance when the rebels were again on our track
ouI we nau good men and true in the FeaF to-
defend the train, and all felt secure.
BY daylight Monday the last wagon had
crossed the swamps aud which hurried rapid
~ forwards james river. We got under way
by A. NJ, and pushed rapidly forward for
or miles, when we halted with the Division
about one mile from the main road. We re
manned here till noon when the hurried re-
port that the enemy was on our left flank with
large numbers. In an instant every man was
at his post, and as the remnant OF our battery
was of 20 possible use in an engagement we
were ordered to fall in with the wagon train
ana proceed toward the river. We bad not
got bali way to the nsaiD road again TIL the
rattHng OF musketry and the whstliDg Of
shells burst upon our ears, and by the time
we reached Turkey CT eek, the fight became
general along the whole line, which extended
"a mlies--thc left resting near Turkey bridge
/ shall now relate the rest of the events Of
Monday as gathered IL along the road. The
gallant Reserves received the bruDt Of The.
battle aud held the enemy under the most des-
perate firing, alone for more than an hour
when they fell back from the pressure of over
poweylng Numbers. They rallied and at them
again until finally, after their ranks we're ter
ribly decimated, they were reinforced by nesh
troops. All agree in stating that 10 was the
most obstinatcly contested fight Of the whoIo
war The gun boats co-operated with the land
forces, and wherever their terrible missiles
fell they made secesh skedaddIe. Towards
evening the fight became general and nothing
could exceed the rear Of the artillery that was
brought in rcquisition from every available
point. When the fight ceased we held our
posltion. We lost of the reserve many gallant
officers.
The general result of the six DAYS fighting
rs that we have new aud permanent base on
James river for future opeTations-have got
the enemy out OF his strong holds in front Of
got out of the swamps of the
Chickahominy-and, according to their own
accounts, they have lost three men to our one
While | am writing, Will Ogden is here and
in good spirits, though his fingers are some
what painful. When we reflect upon the G.
vents OF the last few days, and the dangers We
nave passed through 1t is mercy that the
overwhelming numbers of the enemy has not
annihiated us. We can attribute
our salvation from total destruction only TO
nerciful God, who has given our leaders the
wisdom to execute the movement OF so large
IN army under the most trying circumstances,
with comparatively so small loss, when the
surrounding the movement are
aiken into consideration. And how thankful
should we, as individuals, feel 10 that Almighty
'uler that our unworthy lives have been spared
through all the dangers of the past few days.
And while We would render thanks for our
,wn delverance, let us not forget to bear up
,ur humble petitions to- a throne of grace in
)ehalf of those battle SCARED heroes who are
low suffering from wounds received while
)attlIng nobly for the right. And o: above
Ill let US not forget to send up our appeals, IN
,ehali of those loved ones at home whose
have been robbed of many bright
whose places never be flied.
And, while write, cannot but think of the
lesolation, the sorrow. the scenes and agones,
which will be brought To the hearts of many
owing wife, sister mother, by the events
hat have transpired since the 26th of June.
One of the boys OF the 5th found Ellis
ioover lying in the woods, nearly starved to
eath, and suffering from the ravages of Ty-
,hoid fever-but for this accident, he might
ave died here in strange land, with no kind
mother TO smooth his pathway to the tomb,
ven a friend to close his eyes In death.
jharey Powers is well and hearty. | have
1ritteu about all | can think of this time.
AS ever yours, W. Il. b.
An IriShman who lives with a vegetarian