The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-09
&c. We had destroyed all we could not

stroy the public property which had accumu-
lated there. A locomotive on the railway was
started swiftly down the road, with train of
cars, and soon plunged msdiy into the Chicka-
hominy, nsngled wreck. The match was
applied to stores of every description, and am
munition was exploded, until nothing was left
to appease the rebel appetite for prey. Destruc-
ton was complete, and the ruins were more
touchingly desolate amid the mangled victims
of wars ruthlessness, who laid on the hillside
mourning the departure of friends with whom
they had bravely fought. Would that such
pictures could be sealed up in the book of
memory, never to be opened to the human
heart. Many manly fellow has told me since
thst all human sorrow seemed condensed into
thst one woful parting. IF it were ever man
full to shed tears, men might then have wept
like Niobe. Let Us draw the veil TO hide
wounds more agonizing than rude weapon ever
rent. Hundreds don't know how many
were left upon the green sward and in our too
limited hospital, TO wait the cold charities of
bitter enemies.
The advance column and ali that mighty
train had now been swallowed uo.in the NAV
of the ireary forest. 1t swept onward, on
ward, fast and furious like an avalanche.
Every hour of silence behind was ominous,
but hours were precious to US. Pioneer bands
were rushing along in front, clearing and re-
palt1Al- O0E sllZiO LOa0 EGGGuA911SduCS OH
GERS were seeking new routes for a raven of
rest and safety. The enemy was in the rear
pressing on with fearful COVER. He could
press down flankward to our front, cutting off
our retreat. Would such be our fatel The
vanguard had passed White Oak bridge and
had risen to fine defensive post eanked BY
White Oak swamps, where part of the train
at least could rest How sadly the feeble ones
needed il; those VINO having suspected their
Il l.
rather to the strength of fear to lead them to
safety, than to the fate which might await
them at the hands of the foe. But the march
was orderly as upon any less urgent day, only
switzerland marvellous, too, 1t seemed that
sGch caravans of wagons; artillery, horsemen
soldiers, camp followers, and all, should press
through that narrow road with so little confu-
/ sion.
Two miles beyond the bridge the column
/ suddenly halted. A tremor thrilled along the
I line. A moment more and the dull boom of q
cannon and its echoing shell fell grinnIy upon
/ upon our ears. Were we beleaguered2 An
4 hour later and there was an ominous roar be
/ hind. The enemy VS. LAUNDERING on cur rear.
4 | know that the moment was painful TO many,
/ but no soldiers heart seemed to shrink from
/ the desperate shock. Back and forth dashed
hot riders. Messengers here. orders there,
composure and decision where it should be,
I with determinations to wrest triumph from the
jaws Of disaster. As yet everything had'pros-
pered, and at noon "a brighter ray flashed
| athwart our dreary horizon. aAverill-our
dashing HAshby"-had moved with the van
! guard, met eight companies of rebel cavalry,
/ charged them, routed them, pursued them
miles beyond our reach, and returned in tri-
umph with sixty prisoners and horses, leaving
| nine dead foes on the field. He explained il
modestly, but saw old generals thank him
for the gallant exploit--not the first of his
youthful career General Reyes had sent a
section Of artillery with the vanguard, Aver
ills cavalry escorting it. The lebels charged
at the guns, not percelving our cavalry, which
was screened by thickets. The artillery gave
them she'll and canister, which checked thei
mad career. Averill charged, and horse, rider
and all were in one red burial blent DeaC
horses are scattered over that field, and dead
men lie under the shadows Of the forests. We
lost but one brave trooper. @
The Pursuit
Headquarters, which had tarried near thC
bridge, were now moved two miles beyond
Keyes' corps was forward. Sykes was guard
ing our TANKS, Morell was moving behinC
Reyes, Fitz John Porter stood guard AROUND
the camp Day was wearing away An aw
full tumult in rear as Ii the clements wert
contending, had been moving senses witt
exquisi, power. Foaming steeds and pushed
riders rushed into camp. Stout Sumner wa
still holding his own. Che enemy was ragins
around him like famished wolves. Their
seemed to be foe behind every tree; but tn
old hero and his gallant soldiers fought ik
4 lions. You could see the baleful fires of can
non flashing against the dusky horizon, play
ing on the suriace of the evening cloEds Xix
sharp magnetic lights. Loug lines of mus
kerry vomited their furious volleys of pestilen
tial lead through the forests, sweeping score
of brave soldiers into the valley of the SHADOW
of death. And nature now as if ernuleus o
mans fury, flashed its red artillery, and rellet
its grand thunders over the domes of Rich
mond, now miles TO the right of u.s. Momen
after moment elapsed before even practicet
soldiers could decide which was the power Q
God and which the conflict of man, so strange
ly similar were the twin reverberations. Bu
the sharp glare of electricity recorded tn
truth in vivid lines of fire. Nc combination
of the dreadful in art and the magnificent il
nature was ever more solemnly impressive.
Nothing struck me so keenly during all tina
gloomy day and more desolate right, as tn
thinly disguised uneasiness Of those to whom
the country had entrusted its fate Tt wa
we'll that soldiers who carry muskets did no
read the agony traced upon the face of tba
leader whom they had learned to love. FEY
in that gloomy bivouac folded their arms t
sleep, but most were too exhausted to enjo
that blessed relief. Phst dreadful tumult, bu
! few short miles in the distance, ragged till lon
after the whip poor-wi1 ID commenced hi
plaintive song. late at night couriers, be
from the field, dashed in with glad tiding'
Sumner had beaten the enemy at every point
: until they were glad to cease attack. Tn
warrior was advised by Gen. Mcclellan to re
! tire quietly to our main body, but the old mar
game as king eagle, begged to be permitte
to drive the rebels home. Said general t
i nee, "0ld Bull Sumner didn't want to qai
The game old fellow had to be choalzed off
Hereafter, ye carping critics, when nilitar
faults are censured, bring not WILLIAMSBURG
up m Judgment against heroic Summer. NJ
bly, has he redeemed his name.
That battle in the forests was a contest
desperation. A naughty and reyengeful fo
confident in victory and numbers, pressed 1
! to the wall, and that spirit Of resistance whic
should inhame every army of the Mort