Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-02-17
from the 25th Massachusetts, were deployed to
observe the first appearance Of the enemy.
TIE rEEMY's woRKa prsoovupun

from the 25th Massachusetts, were deploved 70
observe the first appearances Of the enemy.
TIE HEEMY's WORKS DISCOVERED.
The troops hsd passed along this road some
two miles, when they approached clearing
and ct 81 o'clock Rring commenced from the
rebel skirmishers In front and on each side.
Several OF the Union troops, of the 26th Mas
sachusetts, fell at this first Volley, and in q
few moments wounded men were being
brought 70 the rear. The 25th Massachusetts
bad now reached curve in the road, and
came in sight of rebel battery, from which
three guns poured raking Gre of round shot,
canister and shell, from which our troops
we're compelled temporarily to fall back un-
der cover Of the woods. At this the rebels set
up shout. This movement was noticed by
the troops In the rear, who, hearing the
shouts Of the rebels, and not understanding
the cause, temporary confusion followed.
By this time Gen. Reno with his command,
had come up, and deployed to the left of the
road, the 2lst Massachusetts,, 9th New York,
and 6lst New York taking their way through
corner Of the woods IN an oblique direc-
ton, to the battery, with the intention of
turning its right flank. They here found
themselves in deep morass up TO their waists
in water and mud, and compelled to cut away
the tangled briers and chaparel with their
swords.
The 18th Massachusetts, which had sus.
tanned the enemy's fire for about one hour,
having expended all their ammunition, and
their ranks being badly thinned by the enc.
my 'sshsrpshooters, were ordered to fall back,
L and the IN uaokforrk v-vbinb haA k,I
them, took the front of the line. The most
destructive of this hre came from the left Of
the battery, where the Richmond Blues
(5sth Virginia regiment, were posted, ander
command Of o. Jennings Wise, Lieut.. Pot
tier, Frank Anderson and others.
| The 10th Connecticut occupied the road;
the 23d and 27th Massachusetts were skir-
mishing on the right while the 5lst Penn
| sylVania were held In reserve.
The four or i!e acres Of clearing directly
around and in front of the enemy's position,
only afforded room for these regiments tc
manoeuyer. The whole appearance of the
position showed that the rebels had no idea
that any troops would be able to penetrate
the cypress swamp in front of their lines.
Maj. Clark, about II o'clock, brought uF
l hlG ECln1uLuk NOlA pAlAo1 Vi bLAO AWNutl -nAlA
and formed in front of companies G and B
which had sustained the FIRE for over one
hour. At this point three companies Of the
Fifty-frst New York came up behind th'
Twenty first, and were led by Lieut.. ColOne
Potter into the wood, and formed on the left
These were followed Immediately by the re
mainder of the regiment under Col. Ferrero
Gen. Reno now came up to the front lint
with the greatest gallsntry, and asked if th'
Twenty first Massachusetts would charge anC
take the battery. Msj. Clark responded
tYes," and the order was giveE to charge
TIE troops now laid down on their faces
loaded and prepared for the deadly onset.
Anticipating the charge, the rebels now
poured CALLING fire Of musketry upon oul
exposed ranks, and swept their front will
repested charges of grape and canister
This last and most terrific discharge LASTED
Eve minutes, and swept like whirlwinC
over our PROSTATE ranks, cutting off limb
Of trees overhead, and whizzing in most IN
pleasant proximity to the person of your re
porter, who was striving to get q view Of th'
field through the dense intervening forest
During all this time Gen. Reno stood erec
upon bog Of grass, coolly surveying thl
effects of the leaden tempest as it swept By
him. Col. Chas. L. Russell, of the Tentl
Connecticut who had paused moment Il
rest, here received ball, which struck hi
sword belt killing him instantly. 1t mad'
no wound on his person. Lieut.. John Good
win, Jr, Of the Twenty third Massachusetts
was shot in the breast, and fell cheering Oh
his command.
THE CHARGE