Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-06-30


LetterfrOm a wheeling Boy IN south
CArOliMa.-A Graphite sketch OF the
Bloody Fight AT James Island
Heroic Conduct OF the Washington
JANIS ISLAND, June II, 1862.
Editors IateliigeIeer
On Friday last our regiment assisted in
fixing a masked battery of PARROT aud
James guns 1900 yards from the enemy's
Fort. 1t was night work, done on the sly,
not OF a mile from the enemy'S pickets.
OfcOurse in such near range we had to COW
er all up in daylight from the secesh field
glasses with foliage. The work was in
former rifle pit, in n hedge, from which the
gunboats bad shelled the rascals. On
Mondays fight Company A was represented
by some 20 members. The Company WAS
ON picket duty and was not relieved till too
late TO take part. OF those engaged from
US only one was hurt. William Clatfey, of
Washington County, Pa, was struck in the
back by spent-bull and shot through the
left hand by a muSket ball. passing between
the thumb and palm. Heis running round
as usual and does not mind it, though his
back is sore. AT daylight our brigade was
marched two miles at quickstep, then one
more at a double-quick. When within 200
yards of tue rebel Fort we charged bayO-
nets and rushed on it. At 80 yards the
secesh opened with canister, grape, and a
mortar with bushel and "a half of horse
shoes, stove-pipes, pop-bottles, rail road
spikes and glass. Whole yards of our ranks
were cut out. Still Oh they went over a
deep ditch, and embankmeut 25 feet high:
into the very Jaws OF death" marched the
three regiments. At the ramparts our men
caught the secesh by the hair and pulled
them out. We have several prisoners now,
taken thus. One was drawn out when two
tried his rescue. Serg't Montford of West
Middletown, knocked one of these in the
head with his rifle-butt.
All the time the battery aforesaid, our
field artillery, and the gunboats were drop
ping she'll into the fort. Though every
half foot of the ranparts for II hundred
yards concealed a ritleman, having sand
classmates for shelter, yet they commenced
TO run. just here our battery ammunition
unfortunately gave out and the ''chiValry''
rushed back, aud our boys were ordered to
retire amid second shower of death At
ter retreating perhaps 200 yards, they form
ed in line of battle, in "a ditch, and were
reported ready for charge again. Gen.
eral Benham ordered retirement, howev-
er, and we went off, as on a dress parade
from more bloody repulse than Bull Run
Our small division has lost nearly a thou
SNHAB NSA AGh vi LlGu4 ulSSluR men, While
our large force at Manassas lost, if memo
ry serves, not over 100 in killed, wound
ed and missing. Certainly, not more than
one-third we're engaged on our part here of
the number Mt that fight; yet we did NO
running every man came back looking
Vexec at our repulse, hut no pale faces were
seen. The feeling among our soldiers is
one of Indignation, that flesh and blood
| should be thrown against such awork when
1t might have been reduced by shell in a
few days. As General Stevens says. Zone
mans life is worth tons of powler-Uncle
Sam has them, let them he used" Captain
Drayton, of the gunhoats, asserts that they
alone could clear the Island. Mysterious.
| ly, they are forbidden to do so. Oar BOYS
are brave, as they have proven, poor fell
lows! by facing CHASTITY death and wounds,
but their Indignation at the reckless ex-
pendilure of life is deep-seatcd
Whatever newspapers may say, or how
ever the facts be smOthcred by parties pow.
ertnl aud to blame, the naval officers are to
be believed; our BIigadier even wcpt as he
saw his braves cut to pieces for naught;
and it is strange, with tons of shell and
| powder piled on the shore, and wagons
plenty, that at the. critical moment our
gunners had not mouthiul. In the mean
while the secesh must have gotten terri
ole slaughter when not ii gun was fired at
our retreat, for one mile within their view
and range, aud has not been since. Of
course we must "iry, try again" Our
wounded were nearly all helped from the
field our dead left. The wounded that
were left were shot, and their brains beaten
out by the Gends on our retreat Such hor.
r0rs as the surgeons eye and hand must
deal with cannot be imagined. Legs torn
OFT rs it by a twist and wrench-bnt WHY
enter into the sickening catalogue? The
knife and saw were going as in butcher
shop, and not unlike did the work look 10
cutting beef. But one who saw the poor
fellows suffering before operation, would
realize what a blessing even this savage
relief was.
One of our unfortunate comrades has
just been buried. He was killed while no.
bly, charging for his native land, and no.
where is II true soldier more reverenced
than by his comrades. lie is one of many
since yesterday-many who were then in
all the pride and strength of early man.
hood.
But hono,s voice cannot awake their dust,
Or hattcry soothe the dull, cold ear of DEATH"
A Glimpse OF JET. Davis, Twenty
Years War.