Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-06-11
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE "JoURzAL'.'
CAMp NEAR Tue BATTLE FIELD,

II
probably some of your readers might feel an x.
ious TO read some Of the particulars OF the
late engagement at this place. and as 1 am al
leisure this morning. | will hastily note down
a few of the leading facts and incidents, as fan
as have seen. and learned them
Our Brigade was encamped on the Rich
mond and York Rail Road about IL miles dis
tant from Richmond. On Saturday inst as we
were partaking of some dinner we heard the
first volicys OF rifle shots, off about miles. The
firing was kept up brsky, and our Brigade
was called into line in which position the diff
| ierent Regis remained for further orders,
which soon were given by Gen. jameson
The day was very warm, the heat oppressive,
yet we started off in s'Double Quick,' and
| Kept that pace till we reached the scene of ac-
! tion Some of the poor fellows gave out by
! the way, on account of the heat, but all seem
| ed to be in good spirits. When we came
within one mile of the field we met large num-
| bers of wounded coming and being brought
| back and matters began to wear serious as
pect. The fight was raging fearfully when we
got there. Our Brigade, led into the
! thlckest OF the fight, but remained upon the
| ground only few hours, until it was badly
cut mp.
The enemy came in overpowering Numbers,
and broke for our centre, trying to cut it and
flank us on the left. They made the attack
by surprise, and drove the advance (Casey's
| Brigade) out of their camps almost before they
had time 10 get their guns and buckle on their
accOutremens. Although driven from their
ground loosing all their camp equipage and
most their clothing, they fought hard for
every foot of ground they were compel lied to
| yield to a superior number. They were
driven from tho first rifle pits to the second,
which they held, till reinfUrcements came up.
(our Brlgade,) which turned the tide, and the
rebels were in turn driven back, mostly at the
point OF the bayonet. Our Artillery was of
very little use. 1t could not be placed at the
points desired on account OF the swamps and
thick woods, so III at all the work had to be
done by the infantry. The fight lasted until
night, when we were joined by reinforce
ment of about 40 900 men,
1t was encouraging to see our commanders
conduct during this deadly conflict. Gen.
Heintzelman was on the field, cheering and
urging on his men to deeds of greater yalur.
Gen. kearney, Of Mexican lenown, and who
sacrificed one arm there, in the hottest OF
the fight, leading his column though there
was nothing going on, although he had one or
two horses shot dead under him. Gen. Jame-
our Brigadier headed his column and
cheered his men, while the deadly missiles
were flying as thick as hail around him, kill.
ing his noble charger, which fell upon him !;
but as soon as extricated he mounted the
horse of the Adjutant, and again was at the
head Of his force. The l05th, with the other
regt's OF the brigade, was led into the hot |
parry, and each seemed to vie with the other, |
in its effectiveness. They all stood the fire |
nobly, and none faifcrc2. Even when the odds |
were against us, and most had fallen back on |
the order of retreat being given, yet an hour
afterwards the l05th still on The ground |
fighting, and contended fcarfully for every |
foot OF ground they were reluctantly compell- |
ed TO yield.
After getting the wounded off the field, the |
dead buried, and examining the rolls, it was
assertained that the l05th lost about 100 men
OF whom between 80 and 40 were killed ,over 100 |
wounded, and a number missing. Twelve or
fourteen officers were killed and wounded a
mong them Capt. Bowling and Lieut. Craig Of
Brookyille, Capt. Duff, Serg't Mason, Capt.
Kirk, Capt Thomson, and three other Lieu
tenants wounded, and Lieut. Comiskey killed.
Col. Mcknight was also slightly wounded.
am glad to say, that all our officers and men
display ed courage and GOODNESS seldom exceed
ed. Had they not done 50, they would have
been driven entirely off the ground.
On Saturday evening the rebels held the
ground, and we had rct-eated about one mile.
On Sunday morning they made smother at
tack, and tried to drive us still farther back
but we had got large reinforcements and were
now able TO cope with them. The rebels were
permitted TO come TO within a few rods, when
two volieys were poured into them and then
''charged" upon and driven back several miles
Our men made sad work among them. The
woods for several miles is literally covered
with dead rebels-at some places laying by doz-
ems pile.
On Tuesday afternoon | went over the
ground. | saw quite a number of our own sol
dierS, still laying unburied on the field, but |
am confident / saw 10 rebels for every union
soldier. AT the corner of fallen wood, |
counted II rebels lying on square Of 20 feet,
and many more laying close by, and numbers
Of them buried. This is the point covered
by Company Ii of the 105th. A little farther
on, counted AZ dead horses lying on not over
one half an acre OF ground, with, | suppose,
not less than 80 more scattered at little dis
ance around. At some places and horses :
we're laying just as TREY had been hitched in
the Gun carriages. This is the point where
We lost our battery. and where the b tile ra-
yed the most fearful, FROM appearances.
| suppose our loss viii not be much less
han 1900 that of the enemy undoubtedly, is
much larger. We are expecting attack ,
loury and if it is made the fight will be an
wful one. The enemy appeared to have con-
entrated their whole force at this point.
We have had any amount of ram lately and
he roads are aim ost impossible. The Chick
hominy is high, and if should be forced |
O retreat, we would have a sorry time of it, as
he bridges are all flooded The soldiers are
lmost worn out from exposure and over ex |
rtion. ours, A. NJ. NJ.
GREAT FLOOD IN THE EAST.
Tur FIR aon At MtDy,r The Harris