The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-07-11

Inc 10llOWlDg details OF the late disas-
trous engagement at James Island are taken
from the correspondence of the New York
Commercial Aduertiser of the 2Sth:
General Stevens brigade opened the en-.
gagement on Monday morning June 10th,
at four o'clock, with the Eighth Michigan,
Seventy ninth New York, Seventh Con-
necticut, and Twenty-eighth Massachusetts
The latter opened at distance of five hum
dred yards, under a most murderous fire
from the enemy and at the same time they
were being shelled from Fort johnson, a
rebel ratification. Still they advanced
steadily to within few feet of the breast,
work.
AT that time portion of General Ste
vens' brigade were compelled to fall back,
owing to the terrific fire from the fort and
from the rifle pits of the enemy. General
Stevens called for reinforcements stating
that the men were unable to maintain their
position under this excessive firing. Gen.
Wright ordered the Third New Hampshire
and Third Rhode Island to the rear of the
fort, when the men opened upon the sharp
shooters and two masked batteries in the
rear.
At this time the Third New Hompshire
had advanced so that they were between
the fort and the masked batteries. Two
South Carolina regiments were posted in
the rear of the masked batteries distance
of about one hundred and fifty yards, firing
grape and canister.
Notwithstanding this critical position,
Third New Hampshire regiment MAIN
tanned it an hour and ten minutes, having
sustained loss of about los out OF 663 men.
The regiment sileEced the fort with their
rifles. The sharpshooters were so skillful in
the use OF their weapons that the enemy were
picked OIL as fast as they appeared to load
them. The Rhode Island Third made o
charge on the two South Carolina regiments,
thereby giving the Third New Hampshire
regiment an opportunity to extricate them
selves from their perilous position; this pre-
vented them from being surrounded.
At this time general order was given to
retreat, owing to the heavy reinfcrcements
the enemy had received. On our retreat the
enemy opened murderous fire on our rear,
causing great loss. The enemy at this time
also opened fire on temporary hospital
which we had erected, and by this many of
our wounded were killed.
During the engagement we opened fire
with two siege guns and Hamilton's battery,
which were brought into action with great
difficulty, owing to the nature of the ground,
which was composed of bitches from four to
six feet wide and deep.
Notwithstanding our retreat we secured
some prisoners, some of which were taken
in the act of numbering our wounded. In
one instance the Rhode Island Sd charged
and number of them were decoyed into
the woods by the rebels crying out "This
way, Rhode Islaud Third :" The conse-
quence was number of our men were as
sassinated.
A corporal was shot by rebel who ad-
vanced upon and drove his aayonet into him
after discharging his piece; after this the
wretch beat the corporals brains out
with the butt of his musket. The bru te
was Immediately captured.
The Michigan Eighth probably lost more
than any other regiment on the field. bav-
ing lost about 20S killed, wounded and
missing.
The New Hampshire Third lost about
los killed, wounded and missing.
The Twenty eighth Massachusetts lost
about 80, and the Rhode Island Third
about the same.
The Seventy ninth New York State Mi.
litia lost about 100 men killed, wounded
and missing; the Connecticut Seventh about
40, and the Connecticut Sixth | killed and
2 wounded.
General BeDham who commanded the
division, had three brigades of four regi.
ments each 10 the engagement.
Among the trophies borne from the
bloody field were two guns captured by the
Michigan Eighth and two by the Seventy
ninth New York regiments
The enemy's force was about fourteen
thousand; their loss is unknown, but owing
to the accurate firing and determined per.
severance OF our troops, it must have been
great. Our loss is supposed to have been
between seven and eight hundred. The
Federal gurboats were unable to partici-
pate in the engagement, owing to their
great distance from the battle ground.
Wappoo Greek is completely oostructed,
so that our gunboats cannot pass through
it. II this could ne done, Charleston could
be attacked in flank. The Pawnee and
Ellen were in the Stone River during the
engagement.
Stone River has been assembled as far as
the entrance of Wappoo Creek. Fort
johnson is on point of the Island nearly
opposite Fort Sumpter. The battle-ground
is near the centre OF the Island, and almost
completely surrounded by marshy ground
and pits.
The Eighth Michigan appear to have
been the greatest losers. This is the third
fight where they have suffered severely; once
at Fort Royal Ferry, again at Washington
Island, and now on james Island. They
suffered much from sickness when they first
arrived here, and from one thousand men
they are now reduced to less than four hum
dred men.
From what l can learn, the officers other
than Gen. Benbam, who was in command,
had no thought of the movement until Suns
day night, when they were called to coun-
Gil of war. The other Generals all pro.
tested against it as hazardous in the ex.