The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-07-23
Correspondence Of the Lansing Republican
Letters from the Michigan Sd Regime n G.

CAMP OF MICHIGAN 3D REGIMENT, Near
Harrison's Landing, Va, July s, 1862.
Gro. I. PARSONS, ESQ, Dear Sir When I
closed my last We were preparing for an attack,
a. it was evident that the attack on our right
was not terminating in our favor. We prepared
Saturday for the field in earnest, by giving each
man 30 additional rounds of ammunition, and
filing canteens and haversacks, ready for quick
work, whatever it might be.
At dark the men were ordered to put up their
."aPs.oA0, VIZ" " ~'nnA@' cacn, anu prepare w
abandon the rest if necessary. This looked like
retreat, but at the same time men were kept at
work Strengthening our rifle pits.
After dark the officers packed the most impor.
tant company books and papers in two desks,
and their own most valuable clothing in a small
satchel, each limiting himself to as little ss pos
sible. and about IL the two regimental wagons
had taken the desks, some provisions and the
best tents, while the ssutler's wagon, under charge
Of Mr.. Nelson, took the officers baggage, aud
started out to JON the train which was forming
back in the woods.
We then laid down, waiting patiently for Or
ders to move, but none came until after daylight,
when the balance Of the tents, desks and extra
clothing we're burned or thrown into the wells,
and We fell in, looking, IS general thing, rather
blue.
When the brigade was ready to move, the
pickets we're drawn in, and We moved back to
the rife pits from which we moved into the Ell.
gagement at Fair Oaks, and then rested until af.
ternoon. We could hear firing on our righ,
| which showed that the enemy were aware of the
move.
The morning was foggy, which probably some
what assisted our preparations. We crossed the
ford at the swamp about p. m, and cauped
for the night about miles further on. Just be
fore crossing the ford, our pickets were attacked
by . large force and probably some Of the strag
glers we're taken prisoners.
Monday morning We we're up and under arm.
before sunrise, and went back short distance
and waited in the rear until afternoon, when tht
enemy came on in force and made an attack
which they certainly found US ready to receiv,
and repel doing them great damage.
| While the engagement was going On towart
Eight, Gen. Berry rode up to our brigade ant
called out the % and 5th Mich, and next th,
| lst and 9th n. Y tn drive back tho enemy
Who we're attempting to take battery placed ii
the field near US. They went in with shout O
exultation which must have sounded unpleasau
TO the enemy, and believe their rifles wer
dreaded still more.
The Sd expected to 90 next, but at this mo
ment . regiment was directed to be sent to th
right to support Gen. Birney, and We filed o
through the woods until We came up to the At
Maine regiment, lying behind the 2Oth Indians
Who we're doing their duty nobly, while the en-
emy kept their position and returned the fr
with vengeance.
All laid dat on the ground to avoid the bulle,
and shell which came through the woods strikis
oil around US. The Indianians held the grouns
doing all the sighting until dark, when We marcel
ed of BY the right flank through the wood
. forming in long line as picket reserve to kee
!; the enemy from pushing through.
! In the night We threw out two pickets fro1
each company along the whole line some so p
) ees to give notice of any appearance of the rel
els, and then laid down for some rest, which Y
very much needed.
Il Between or 8 o'clock al were awakened ar
! quietly ordered to fall in and follow the front
q the column without orders, and to leave Il
pickets (vho we're strengthened to six On Al pos
without notifying them. and they would |
brought in BY the officers in the rear of the ca
| umn.
Al walked quietly - it vas we'll understo.
4 that the safety Of II depended On our success
'ssachiag tie balancss Of the troops On the Charl