Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-07-16
FOURTEENTH LOUISIANA REGIMENT.
HEAD QuARrERs CAMP MAR RICHMOND,
LII. Inth lSE0


To The Editor Of the Wing.
have inst returned to our camp, the Williams
burg road having left the same Thursday morning.
the 2e of June to perform our part in the battles of
the Chickahomny. ! hasten 10 make report OF our
operations for the satisfaction OF distant friends who
are interested in the fate of the members Of this reg
ment We participated in three pitched battles to wit
EIlisons Mills, Gaines Mills and Fraser's Farm
Having marched nearly the whole of Thursday night
we arrived on the battlefield of Ellisons Mills about
two hour, before the commencement of the fight on
Friday morning. Early and long before the earth was
,ilded by the rays of the morning the battle was
opened by heavy and constant firing both of artillery
and musketry The llth Louisiana was amongst the
first sent forward TO the attack on the enemys en-
lrenchments. boldly marched to the enemys front
They charged down,the hill through open field into
the ravine intervening between them and the enemy,
much exposed to deadly and incessont hre. which
told with fearful effect upon them, but they did not halt
or quail before the of deadly missiles Of destruc
ton, but pushed on until they entered the enemys
works Immediately upon the heels OF the retreatng foe.
In this engagement ali of the officers and soldiers de
serve especial menton-a acted nobly and galIantly.
An observer would have to the conclusion that
each officer and soldier acted if he thought that
his own individual yalor. The engagement ended
at about 10 o'clock, A. M.--we again resuming our
line OF march in hot pursuit of the rereatng Toe until
We reached Gaines Farm-en route passing through
many OF the enemy's camps hastily deserted, Judging
from the provisions and camp equipage left behind
Immediately sharp skrmishing en,ued for several hours.
in which We lost the much lamented Capt. Randolph
Bradley of Company D.. This young and talented Off
al. H., hglI md
impul,ive he had in the battle of Williamsburg gained
honor and dSIinctione'er ready TO do his duty and
never swervin from responsibilities in important posi-
tons In his death the country has lost brave soldier
and his many friends and associates dear companion,
whose true and noble heart puNaed TO the accord
| of noble action.
The diminishing FASTENED general engagement,
which was fought with great energy and desperation
ON both sides, the enemy being most adYantageousy
posted in commanding positions, covering an approach
for miles We were early prccptated into action and
bore our share OF the heat and burden of the day The
approach 10 the enemy entertainments and batteries
| had to be made through exposed wheat field; but,
undaunted by those adverse circumstances they pushed
on under the order TO charge, until the enemy was
reached and driven from his entertainments, losing ia
the charge over one hundred including Lieuensnis
S. Fisher and Jas. GarriSh of Company A-two noble
soldiers and efficient ofccrs-both falling fatally wound
ed early in the action cheering to their last gasp their
command on to victory Thus fell and died two brave
spirits a. ever unsheathcd sword in defence of
cause. In their death their command well as the
regiment depores the loss of its most efficient officers.
In this battle there special exhibition OF actions
upon the part of officers and which speak loudly
ieats Of great daring Those that prominent in
the charge in crossing the rlyne, mounting the breast
works. and taking the batteries of the enemy, the
chvalrous Capt Montgomery Of Company |, Licuten-
ants Mcdonald Of Company II, and r. II. Miller OF
| Company F. Sergeant Henderson while bearing gal
auty the colors OF the regiment fell within ten PAGES
of the last battery, pierced by nine grape shot. The
entire color guard fell at the time Priyates W.
\. Jones and William Armstrong of Company deserve
particular mention for deeds of conspicuous daring
being first and foremost in every charge upon this holly
contested field They deserved promotion, which they
would have attained had they not met the fate most
glorious the true soldier death upon the battle field
The fryhuiul Int OF officers and soldiers killed aud
wounded az the commencement OF this battle, thcjl
.7.a-s, attest their courage and speak for them
were not present at the storming of tue
battery. Here ] regret to say that meaSrc
/ ardlS few, who talk much mos, than they fight,
ana who scourgc TO all regiments, ingoriously
lied at this battle. The command suffered the los,
wounded, OF the following valuable officers: Captains
Cooley, Montgomery, Lieutenauts Michel aud Wyatt.
/ The battle ending some time after dark, with our
force, in full possession of the entire field, where we
remained until Sunday morning, in the meantime being
engaged in recruiting and inerriug the dead-our
| q, well those of the enemy. The results Of this
hight the vast amount Of our dead and wounded, and
the heCatomb Of Yankee victims, which literally filled
the fields, evidence important and decided victory,
though accomplished at great sacrifice TO US.
Resumiug the line Of march on Sunday morning We
recrossed the Chckahomny, Gaines farm, into the
Darby road the hope Of nterceptng the enemy,
who were ia full retreat down towards James River.
On Monday evening reached the vicinity Of Frasers
Farm, where We perceived that the enemy posted
near b. in great numbers, and determined TO give
| obstinate battle. We were engaged, with the
usual result Of great loss, and the exhibition Of
undated courage upon the part of all. In thu. engage
msn our loss was one hundred in killed and wounded.
Again we were called upon 10 mourn the loss OF
the most valuable of company commanders, Capt W.
w Scott Of Company G, who was killed when leading
his Company a most dangerous charge. The death
Of such a man i, au irreparabe loss to the country,
and to the regiment, whose efficiency gond soldier,
he contributed much by his unring zeal aud devo-
ton to their perfection model warriors; his death
will ever be the for much regret. Captains Toer
and LeaChe, Lieutenants Thompson, Wood, Wemiss
and Martin, bold aud daring officers, were amongst
the honcred sufferers being severely wounded towards
thscoso Of the battle and borne away only when
the of victory certain Color Bearer
James Mccain was killed while pressing forward in
the advance proudly endeaVOring to plant them upon
| the enemy works.
It wa, not the good fortune Of this regiment to be
engaged 10 the battle Of Tuesday evening, but were
held 10 reserve palptating with the hope Of being
called upon assist in giving finish to the last Of the
series Of glorious but serious battles of the Chickaho