The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-05-21
CoFfsspoaA0ce q the lansing Republican
Stray Leaves from canp-NO. 20.

CcrrsspoaA0ce q the lansing Republican.
Stray Leaves frsm camP-Ao. 20.
WILLIAMSBURG, Va, Nay 8, 1862.
GKo. l. PAksoxs, ESQ, -Dear Sir: In ny
asst We we're just about TO depart from our en-
IN front Of yorktown in pursuit Of the
ebel army. The army commenced moving At
Iun rise, but We did not move until P. NJ,
Nav 9Th 1t Vas q beautiful Sabbath day, but
here Was little, save in the beauty Of nature to
remind us that it vas Gods appointed day Of
-est. All is hurry and excitement. Here tbun-
lers alssg battery Of artillery. There squad
'on Of cavalry makes the earth trenble With lis
heavy tread a. they gsIop flrisusly TO the front.
Then in every direction - far a. yos can zee are
The long lines of infantry dragging their slow
engths along.
Our outer lines of offensive works are passed
and We tread upon tie half mile Of disputed
plain where but yesterday the rife and cannon
sho, sent rapid death to all who we're reckless
enough to show themselves on either side The
deep ravines covered with fallen timber is pass ed
and We end ourselves Immediately in front Of
the strongest earth ork Notifications have We,
seen. But for our gunboats this position mus
have been almost impregnable. We had nc
time to look about us in the works ~ We were
hurried rapidly onward. Sentinels were placed
at irregular intervals to warn strsgglers or curios
ity seekers of their dangerous proximity to tn,
he'll devised torpedo or internal machines, which
we're scattered or buried in various places in anc
around the Notifications. Earlier in the day ,
number Of our men were killed and wounded By
these machines. There was but little evidenc,
of the hasty departure of the rebels. 1t seem
to have been fully considered, and time taken 10
tie consideration Of the plans of evacuation.
is true they left all their heavy guns, but thes
il was impossible to remove. A few tents wer
left in such position a. would lead US to thinl
that the enemy was still there. We halted 70
the night abou: two miles beyond YOrktown
May 5th, I A. NJ, rain commenced falling, no
in April showers, but in a steady falling rain
We were aroused BY the Reveille at A. N, bu
for want Of orders did not move until A. N
About 10 A. N. We had entered the much take
of swamp, and such roads-they are csrtanl
indiscribable. Here is an ammunition train i'm
Dovably stuck in the mud. There an artiller
train, again provision train, while the infantry
the only among the service that can move, make
its way in zigzag course through the iutermira
BILE and almost improbable swamp. The raj
falls heavily, and covered with mud, our cloth
ing soaked with water, many of our troops be
gin to sink under the exhaustion Hark on
ears detect the soand of the fierce strife wage
in the distance. Excited Aid de Camps rus
hither and thither-now urging at this ammun
ton train-now doubling the teams On ths
battery-tbeu appealing to this Brigade or Divis
ion to hurry to the rescue of our almost defeate
van guard. A new life inspires us-the tired
exhausted soldier is refreshed. We no longe
pick our way through the labarinth of mu
holes, but rush fearlessly along-now on tn
quick, again on the double quick, then on tn
run. A Regiment of New Englandera 10 passed
. Brigade, then an entire Division is made t
take our rear. One P. NJ. We have nsared tn
holly contested feld; another appeal reaches u
for succor. Ambulances heavily loaded With pu
wounded are passing to the rear. We halt for
few minutes-knapsack are unslung and left b
the way.ide, our rifles are examined to see ths
the still falling rain had not injured them. An
other double quick dash of two miles throug
the mud, and the Mich. I'd and 5th, and N. Y
S7th are in hand to hand combat with the here
toforc victorious foe. The Sd was ordered &
the support Of battery on our left, the enemy
right flank, hence took no part in the contest
and are entitled to bat little share of the homo
that the exultant cheers of the balance O
the Michigan Brigade told US they had VOL
for themselves and their State. We were or
dered into the battle jnst as night set in
but an impenetrable darkness rendered any for
Their operations for the night ont Of the question
and We retired to where we had left our baggage
AID on the vet ground without blankets, liz We
clothing we lay down at midnight and slep
soundly until sunrise, the 9Th. During the nigh
the enemy evacuated. We soon after move.
again, and before noon encanped on the plain
in front Of the ancient city (23O years old) o
Williamsburg There we are still encamped await
ing the arrival of provisions.
1t requires an ADLER pen than mine to depic
the horrors of the battle field. The enemy'e en-
trenchments were upon MI eAtenslve never piar
in front of Williamsburg. A half mile to tn,
front commences the swamp. A strip of timhe
from ten to three hundred yards wide on thu
edge Of this swamp Was felled, or rather slashed
and in this, supported by ditch on the enter
age, lay the concealed enemy, and through thi
slashing it was necessary to charge the enemy a
the point Of the bayonet. Here the Michigan
I'd and 9Th, by their impetuous charges covered
themselves with glory. Through this charging
was everywhere seen the realities Of war-siie
By side lay friend and foe, their eyes glazed ir
teath-bere is one cut to pieces with a shell, an
other trans6xed with bayonet, but great ma
ority we're shot in the breast or head With rife
bullets. The enemy we're indeed a molly crew
Though all had clothing enough, there was little
uniformity all of them too seemed to have
enough provisions The wounded prisoners are
surprised At our kind treatment. They had been
led to believe US fends-some kind of savage
animal tia. was coming TO devour and destroy.
They are specially surprised that the balk of the
army, and especially the Zouaves. are men.
ran form no idea Of our loss, or the number OF
our prisoners; specials for the northern press
can form q much better estimate. OF one thing
am certain, the first accounts we're airociously