The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-07-31

for publication. It was written by member
of the end New Jersey Regiment to his cousin
in this city;
CAMP NEAR HARRIsoE's LAEpINa,
James River, July 9Th, 1862.
DEAR COUSIN Il take this the first opportu-
nifty to write, and let you know that through
the protection of kind Providence, am safe
Since the 9th of June, have seen and passed
through suffering enough to melt heart of
thus far. When, when willIthis cruel war end.
l fear we have been too self-reliant for the sue
cess that has attended our armies, and God has
caused this reverse to fall upon us in order to
Had our people at the North acted with good
faith instead of talking over Generals and ne
groes, they would have reinforced Gen. Nc
Clellan and saved US this sad reverse; but it
is past, and the army of the Potomac after ten
days hard fighting are safe. We are now in a
position that we do not fear the overwhelming
forge of the enemy:
l will tell you of our fight on Friday the 9th.
During the day we were called out twice to
cross the Ohickahominy and reinforce Gen.
Porter, but each time the order came that our
division were not wanted. All was quiet until
four o'clock, when We were again called out,
and took up our march for the Chickahominy,
which we reached about o'clock. After cross
ing, Gen Slocum formed US in line of battle,
and we Immediately marched to the front. The
battle was now raging in all its fury. Our
regiment which had but four companies, (the
rest being on picket,) were ordered to support
battery. There we remained few minutes,
when we were ordered to the front to relieve
full regiment. We were soon holly engaged,
the bullets came like hail and l saw my COM
rades fall thick and fast around me. About
five minutes after we were engaged, my tent
mate and most intimate companion was killed.
few minutes later Captain was mortally woun-
ded, and died next morning. soon our brave
Col. Tucker was killed. It was now evident
that the enemy Wee determined to flank u.s.
we could see them moving up by whole Brig
AIDES. At this critical moment, the regt. IN our
left, land | am sorry TO say western one too,J
broke and run. This left our four companies
entirely hanlkod, and we fell back short dis
tance, planted our colors and formed into ling.
Just at this moment we got shower of bullets
and grape from the rear. Thinking it our own
men who had mistaken US for rebels we ran
out with our colors and cried, "for Gods sake
don't fire on your friends" This was immedi.
ately answered by the running of the rebel flag
We knew then all was lost. Here we lost our
colors, our Major was shot down and many of
our boys taken prisoners. How / escaped
know not, it was only by great exertion. Soon
achievements arrived and drove back the en-
envy, but not far enough for US to get our dea
and wounded. At midnight our forces were
drawn across the Chckahomlny toward r ich-
mond, and our line of march taken up for the
James river, it was road Of blood all the way
We repulsed the enemy every time they attack
ed US. On Monday and Tuesday their loss wal
dreadful, double that of ours, In Monday
fight lost everything 1 had. l am now desti
tute of everything, having not even a change
Of clothing left. l have lost all my friends il
this company l feel like a lost sheep. The
loss of our company was % during the fight
| had not the least fear. 1t was when all wa:
over that saw what 1 had passed through
l suppose we will remain here for some tim,
and be strongly reinforced. D.H.w.