The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-05-24
COMMENCEMENT on THE ACTION.

COMMENCEMENT OF THE ACTION
The enemy had evidently determined TO make . tenn
porary stand at Williamsburg, order to successfully
cover the retreat Of his retiring columns and save the
baggage OF his army. On the other hand We were de-
termined press his rear his fight both
difficult and dangerous. In accordance with instructions
from the commander Of the corps, General Hooker's
division FIRST engaged the enemy.
GENERAL GROVER OPENS BATTLE.
At hafpast seven O'Clock in the morning General
Growers brigade opened the attack portion OF the
First Massachusetts regiment under Lieutenant Colonel
Wells, who has taken pride in drilling tho regiment in
the art OF skrmshng, depoyed in front to the left
Of tho Hampton road tho remainder OF the regiment
being held in reserve under Colonel Cowdin Two
companies OF tho Second New Hampshire. Colonel
Marston, were ordered to clear the edge of the
timber, with instructions to pick off the enemys sharp
shooters and arteriss while the other companies re-
NAMED in tho Subsequently the Eleventh Massa
chusetts Colonel Baisds, and Twenty sixth Pennsyl-
vania, Colonel Small were placed in the manner on
the right Of the Second New Hampshire which was de-
ployed as skrmshers. Early in tho morning Colonel
Small was wounded in the leg Captain weoers battery
OF artillery sent in advance OF tho fallen timber and
about eight hundred yards Fort Magrudsr
THE FORT OPENS FIRE, FOLLOWED A REDorgr
Al this moment terrific fire was opened from four
guns in the fort and from guns Of the redoubts
to the left and before battery had been placed In
position several Of the men, including two officers had
been stricken to the ground by the fire Of the enemy
The drivers Of the limbers could stand the re,
and they retired to the rear Major Wainwright.
commanding the artillery in the division, Immediately
gaopcd to the rear and called for volunteers Cap
tain Usbornes First New York battery, WHILE in the
meantime, Captain Weber succeeded in rally ing quite
number OF his own men. With commondablc alacrity
the volunteers from the other battery came forward
Thus the four guns Of battery II manned and
speedily in action, replying to the enemys artillery.
Hall an hour afterwards Captain Bramhals Sixth New
York battery up, and five Of his guns placed
70 the right Of those Of Captain Webers. Both bat
tories poured destructive fire into the
mys position, whilc infantry kept up well directed
fusilade and before nine O'Clock in the morning the
troops in front dispersed and the guns in the fort
were senced until late in the afternoon These batteries
well supported by the Fifth New Jersey regiment
DISPOSITION OF GENERAL ExokY's COMMAND.
General Hentzelman. who the field in person,
little in the rear, had sent General Emory forward
with small command, which afterwards increased
to four regiments Of nfantry-the Third Michigan Col
Champn; Third Maine, Col Staples; Fourth Maine Col.
Walker and tho Sixty third Pennsylvania Col Hayes
with Bcnsons Second artillery, batteries from
General Kearneys DIVISION all accompanied by Colonel
AverilPs Third Pennsylvania cavalry. Wien General
Emory reached the front with the cavalry he learned
from General Hooker, who had immediate command
that the limited length Of the line that locality did
admit Of opportunity to bring his Of the service
into action at that time. General Emory however,
sent with OF the force around along the roads
the left and rear, to observe movements OF the
enemy which the woods concealed. In this re.
gard Lieutenant McAlistcr, Of the Engineer Corps,
rendered valuable services, which were appre-
cated the held. General Emory's command
had little astonishing around among the fallen timber
to the left and near opening within view Of Of the
redoubs Asquadron Of tho cavalry possession Of
the work which partly deserted and captured
venty prisoners The character Of the country and the
small force under his commrnd prevented General
Emory making effective demonstration In Of the
enemy 1t at this, point that heavy column, had
It been, could II have been, pushed vigorously round
70 the left might have reached the Of Williamsburg
and surrounded large numbers OF the enemy. At the
time it should be remembered. that this the
point which tho rebel renforcemcnts were coming at
double quick having been recalled from the
aid the already waverng fortunes OF the enemy.
II Is problem in war, which only the Sc
qael could elucidatc, whether Q fanking column
Of our forces 70 left would have pshcd its
object whether 1t would have been overpowcred by
the superior numbers Of the enemy. would appear
also that, after the guns at Fort Magrudcr had been
scnced in the morning, had troops enough been
field, heavy column. OF infantry might have been
pushed forward pierced tho encmy's lines, and getting
in his rear captured quite number of his forces.
PROGRESS ENGAGEMENT
Quite early In tho morning it perceived that the
enemy sndeavorng TO turn flank to the left;
heavy firing heard In that locality The remaining
companies Of the First Massachusetts regiment were
|
Twenty sixth Pennsylvania regiments under General
Grover ordered through tho woods outaneuvre
the tactics OF the enemy Tho Twenty sixth Pennsyva
mia, whose colonel wounded, did not receive the
order, and remained on tho right, with little loss.
ANOTHER OF rnx FLAG OF TRUCE.
While the Eleventh Massachusetts, were engaged not
more than fifty yards from the enemy, q rebel officer
displayed white flag and shouted " Don't fire your
friends " Colonel Baisds Immediately ordered his re-
gment to cease firing, and when private Doherty ad-
10 take the flag the rebel officer said his men,
" Now, boys, give It to them" The command was
obeyec, and we lost number OF men in consequence.
Dohsrty the first victim q this trcachery but, ere
he fell he had discharged his rife at tho officer who
ceived rctrbutve Justice in the form Of bullet through
the head. When the ammunition OF the First Massachu
sets regiment, which fought bravey bad become ex-
PENDED the regiment relieved by tho Seventy
New York, Lieutenant Colonel Moses which was in turn
replaced by the Seventeen New York, Colonel Dwight
both Of tho Excelsior brigade.
THIRD ELsRIsioR REGIMENT.
In obedience TO an order, Lieutenant Colonel Moses
pushed his regiment In front for the purpose or seneng
battery which was annoying the left. Il was
only when confronted with most murderous nre and
bearing mind the liability OF having his command cut
orom support unless General Frank Patterson already
engaged, should Immediately succeed in dslodgng tho
enemy in 'front.' that no prudently ordered retire
" bis original position whore he then relieved by
the - sssN r. .&s-~-- a. :.
FIRST ExcErssoR REorxzSr,
or SEVENTEEN regiment Of New York volun.
teers, Colonel Dwight. The first rebel regimen.
which confronted this mstook IL for OF its own side,
and the commanding officer dictated by his mistrust
handed Of Colonel Dwight 70 show his ooors. At the
same time the rebel flag displayed by the rebe,
color bearer then standard raised and the Stars
aud Stripes waved defiance Of the ensign OF the enemy