The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-10-17


the 7th day of May, we opened our part in the
drama, by becoming engaged in the battle of
West Point. In a country with which no one
in the entire division was acquainted, in a
dense wood. our regiment held the advance
upon the left for seven hours. And assure
you the opportunity to wipe out the stigma of
the battle of Bull Run, was not allowed to slip
by, and though opposed by greatly superior
numbers, our men maintained their ground
displaying those true, soldierly qualities so es-
scntial to insure success. Ere sunset, the en-
emy were driven from the field, and we had
the proud satisfaction of having achieved
victory.
After the many marches and counter march
Of the following weeks, we we're finally brought
in front of Richmond, where the booming of
cannon and rafting of musketry was daily
heard. At last the morning of June 27 dawn
ed, the day upon which the memorable battle
of Gaines Mil'' was fought. Early in the
morning our brigade was sent towards the
right and front, to guard bridge across the
Chckahominey, and prevent any passage of
the enemy. We were exposed all the fore
noon to severe fire of artillery, yet, fortu-
nately with trifling loss. About noon, our di-
vision was ordered to cross the river and rein
force Gen. Porter, as the enemy was engaging
him with heavy force. We took quick time,
and in an hour were drawn up in column
shielded by the crest of hill, ready for action
when the proper time came.
But need not enter into details About
O'Clock the 10Th n. Y. Vols. and the 9Th Me-,
were ordered forward to engage the enemy
Up the hill, we pressed forwardin perfect line,
though the fire from rebeldom was terrible.
Hating for moment to receive orders, judge
of our surprise to see whole regiment of reg
ulars beating hasty retreat in confusion, from
the very position we were ordered to support,
but of which now the rebels had possession.-
Down rides our fearless Bartlett, and approach
ing Col. Jackson, orders him to advance and
take the brow of the hill, and hold it. have
simply to say that we obeyed orders TO the let
ter, the rebels running before us. But their
relnforcements at once came forward, and the
contest became terrific. Men never could do
better than ours did that afternoon No run
ming, no feaI, all seemed filed with enthusiasm
And until night Sc. in we held that ground.
and only fell back when action had ceased
Tia night We marched back to cur camp, and,
though we felt we had achieved victory,
our pleasure was mingled with sorrow, for up
on the field of blood we had left the lamented
and
and loved comrade.
Col. jackson, too, was severely wounded
and wonld be lost to us for time; and our
beloved Major Scamman had long been con-
fined to his sick bed, unable to attend to field
duties. The command then fell upon Capt
Edwards, (now Major of the Regiment) who
performed his duties nobly.
The following morning at daylight we were
again on the move, marching to the front,
where we again experienced severe shelling
We remained all day, and most of the follow
ing night upon the advance lines, while the
army was engaged in efiecting retreat to-
wards the James river, in other words, chang
ing our base Sunday morning we took up
onr line of march, and for the following four
days we were either fighting, or covering the
march of trains and troops, and our nights
were passed in picket duty, or marches. Thro'
those awful seven days fight we were there,
being actively engaged at Charles City Cross
Roads, sometimes known as the battle of
White Oak Swamp at which place our Divi-
sion became almost entirely surrounded. -
Night came on, and the rebels were upon ev-
cry side. But the gallant Slocum, though en-
compassed with every sort of danger, sue
ceeded in freeing his Division from the grasp
Of the enemy, and before daylight, was entire
ly rescued from the trap so beautifully pre-
pared for us. Not single gun or wagon was
lost. You can better imagine than describe,
the feelings we had the night before, when we
found ourselves with fifty or sixty thousand
OF the enemy within almost musket shot of us,
while our entire force did not exceed seven
thousand, and with poor prospects of escape.
Nor was il pleasant march TO us, moving, as
we did, in perfect silence, through a narrow
road, not word spoken lest our movement
be betrayed. But we succeeded; we had ac-
conplished the object for which we had
opened battle, and were safe In few DAYS
we reached Harrison's Landing, tired, and al
most exhausted.
few weeks roll by and then comes the fa-
nous excursion down the Peninsula. AS usual.
our division was the last to leave the ground
For nearly three days we lay under orders to
march at a moments warning, awaiting the
seeming slow movements of the army. But
all things have an end, and finally we were on
the move. Six days constant marching brought
us to Newport News, from which place we en-
barked in the steamer John Brooks" for Al
exandria.
Scarcely had we set foot in Alexandria, be-
fore we were ordered to Centerville, to sup
port Pope, Mcdowell, or some other general
who never formed .'lines of retreat" Two
days marching brought us in sight of the old
Bull Run battlefield. About sunset we were
drawn up in line about three miles from Cen
terville. But scarcely had we stacked arms,
when we saw the commencement of "skedad-
die" and in few moments, the troops of Nc
Dowell were pouring past us. Twice were we
in line upon an alarm of cavalry approaching,
our men appearing as cool as though nothing
unusual was occurring. That our work was to
cover another retreat was obvious. That night
the 5th Maine Regiment, occupied the extreme
outposts, and were the last troops to re-cross
Cub Run, the bridge being nearly destroyed
when we passed over. We stopped two days