Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-23
C0RREsP ONDENCE OF THE "JoURNAL. f"
CAMP NEAR HARRIsoN's BAR
LANES RINER InIv 9Th 1850

| Snould not be expected that L, mere private
can communicate anything but what passe,
! under my immediate observation, that woul,
be OF interest to you and in speaking of tn
events that have transpired, shall speak onl,
OF the Division to which | belong-trustinl
that shall not weary you with unnecessary
detail.
The ball was opened on Wednesday by
sharply contested skirmish on the lett wing Of
our army, and about noon on Thursday the
scene OF conflict was suddenly transferred to
the extreme right. The first intimation we
had of anything going on, was about o clock
+. NJ, when heavy and rapid canonading was
heard in the direction of Hanover Court House
and 10y thu receipt of orders to have our bag
gage packed and horses attached TO their re-
spective pieces, to move directly ON receipt
of orders. About 2 O'Clock the scene was
shifted to another quarter and in close prox-
UNITY to McCalls Division, a part of which.
consisting OF the Buckt nils, the 9th regiment,
and Battery b 1st Pennsylvania artillery, were
out on picket in the vicinity of Mechanics
vile. Suddenly the enemy commenced cross
ing the Chickahominy at Meadow Bridge in
large number aud our pickets, not being
able to intercept their passage of the bridge,
we've ordered To fall back about ! ] miles to
the main body, which was being rapidly
formed on the east side OF Beaver dam run.
The 9th and Battery b reached the Division in
safety, but the Bucktails-who were the last
to receive the order to fall back. owing to
their having been posted farther out--were not
so fortunate, as the rapid movements of the
enemy cut them of from the direct line of
communication. Captain Twins company
foil into an am buscade ,and after vainly endeav-
oring to extricate themselves by hard fighting
were compelled 10 yield to the superior force
OF the enemy, aud Il is feared that the greater
part oi them are now prisoners. IL is report
ed that both Capt. Irwin and Lieut.. Welsh are
wounded. The pickets had scarcely reached
the main part of the division, when the rebels
opened tremendous fire OF cannon and mus.
Kerry upon our lines, which was quickly re.
piled to and with marked effect. They fell
back, but as quickly rallied, and then with
their rapidly accumulating force vainly sought
To tnin our right wing, but after the most des-
pcrate hghting Tor more than an hour they
were repulsed with heavy loss. But still they
bad no idea OF letting us rest. Their broken
columns were rapidly replaced by fresh troops
and they now opened upon our whole line with
the most desperate determination. hoping to
crush our little band by overwhelming num-
bers. The natural barrier interposed between
us prevented them from charging upon us,
and the superior fire of our rifles and artillery
moved them down almost by regiments. 1t
was now g O'Clock, and the rebels being foiled
and driven back, they once more rallied and
made the most determined efforts to turu our
toned. Up to this time we had been shcling
them briskly along the greater part of the
line, but now our fire was concentrated. We
were fanked and supported on the LETT by the
9th, who occupied rifle pits which had been
previously formed. The remnant of the
Bucktals, and one section Of our battery
also occupied the pits, while the other section
was posted on an eminence few rods to the
right. Batteries G and 1st Pa. artillery
held the right of the line, while battery G.,
9th Regular artillery, held the centre. The
enemy moved forward with solid front and
steady tread, and no doubt with confidence
thatvctory would crown their last grand ef-
fort, but they were doomed 10 disappointment.
AS said, they were prevented hitherto from
charging upon us by natural barriers--which
was miry swamp some 800 yards wide,
through which they sought to cross however
after repeated trials, in which some of them
fell an easy prey to our uncrring mark smen,
as they sank to their necks in the mire they
abandoned the project. But not so now.
There was an opening on our left of solid
ground, which ran round the head of the
swamp, and running parallel with our lines.
The enemy instantly sought to take advant-
age of this opening and, no doubt, hoped by
one grand coup de efat to take easy possession
of our guns. On came their advancing horde.
Their design was readily anticipated and no
sooner Lad they emerged from cover into an
open space, and directly in range, than We
poured into their ranks an incessant stream of
she'll which moved down their ranks like
grass. But, not apparently In the least intim-
dated, they moved on and prepared TO charge
through the open space of solid ground. Here
they were compelled to charge in column, as
the nature of the ground would not permit
them to charge in line. Both infantry and ar
,illery reserved their fire till the enemy had
very near us, when, suddenly, we !
opened upon them, with our guns double
'hotted with canister, and for the space of Is |
minutes nothing could be heard but the crash
ng of rifles and musketry, the sullen thunder
of artillery, and the groans OF the wounded |
md dying. The enemy recoled, and as they |
ell back our fire on their receeding columns |
vas unabated. Gradually their fire became |
weaker, and at O'Clock all was comparatively |
luiet. am not able to give you the casul- |
les of the four hours fighting, but it was COM
light in view of the strength of the |
enemy. The Bucktails sustained the heaviest |
oss, in the misfortune that betel Captain Ir-
inns company. The 5th, l believe did not
ose many. We lost three men wounded-one |
If them seriously, and three horses killed and |
hree wounded.
Some of us retired to rest On the field |
While the rest kept watch at the guns, every |
nan at his post. The infantry rested on their |
rms, while the enemy fell back only to his |
original position, ready at the light of morn |
o resume the conflict. During the night we |
we're reinforced by Porter's division. Before |
was scarce hight on Friday morning our |
vary foe again silently and stealthily ap-
'roached our lines, with view, no doubt, of |
our brave boys, but they were not |
o be thus easy caught in any such trap. The |
ebels had fairly got their columns in motion, |
,ut had only advanced a short distance until |
'ur boys, who had concealed themselves in |
he woods, burst out upon them with the most |
critic fire Of muske,ry, which, in the death