The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-07-24
HEADQUARTERS 9TH Me. Vols,
Camp No. y. In the field, July 10.

of this State:
HEADQUARTERS 9TH Me. Vols,
Camp No. %. In the field, July TO-
JOHN L. HoDsDoN, Adjutant General:
Sir: | beg leave to submit the following re-
port of the part my command took in the ac-
tion of the night of the 9th of June. near
Garnetts House, Va. At an early hour in the
morning of that day, / was directed to pro-
coed, with my regiment, to the front, near the
pickets' line, where a working party was en-
gagged, throwing up an entrenchment Arriv-
ing on the ground, | was ordered, with my reg
iment, to take up position a short distance in
the rear of the earthworks on the right. near
piece Of woods. In front of the earthwork
was large level field, at the upper end of
which the enemy had planted his batteries. A
short distance in the rear OF our position was
deep ravine, on the opposite side of which
battery of heavy siege guns had been placed,
masked from the enemy's view by a belt of
trees. About 0 O'Clock A. M. the enemy ap-
peared in force, on the left of onr position, as
ii preparing for an attack Upon this. the
working party, and all the force supporting it,
except the LIST Brigade, of which my regiment
forms part, was withdrawn to the other side
of the ravine. My regiment, with the rest of
the Brigade, was posted on the edge of the
woods before mentioned, on the right, with or
ders to hold our position at all hazards At
10 O'Clock A. NJ. the enemy opened fire from
his artillery, directed principally at the woods
where we lay, and at the heavy battery, which
had, in the meantime, been unmasked, by fell
ing the tees in front. This battery immedi-
ately replied, throwing its fire directly over
our heads, and, after an hours rapid firing,
completely sienced the enemy's guns, and
forced them to retire out of range. During
this artillery duel lost two men killed, and
one wounded. Ny loss would have been much
greater if the men had not been protected
greatly by the conformation of the ground
After this all was quiet, until near sunset, when
the enemy again opened his batteries, and
commenced shelling furiously; but, as before,
the superiority and accuracy of our guns, soon
compelled them to desst and retire. In the
front was a narrow strip of wheat-fleld, slight
ly elevated in the center, which separated the
woods where we lay. from similar piece on
the opposite side. This field was perhaps one
hundred yards wide. 1t was quite dark in the
woods when a few shots from the enemy. fol-
lowed by volley along our whole line, bro't
every one to his feet. The attack, although
expected, came very suddenly, but did not find
us unprepared. The fire was instantly re-
turned, and with effect, as afterwards ascer-
tanned. The enemy advanced short distance
from the woods, and after nearly an hours rap
i'd exchange of fire, silently withdrew. This
was a singular combat in many respects. No
enemy could be seen, and their presence was
manifested only by the flash and roar of their
guns, and by the whistling of their bullets, as
they tore through the trees over our heads
My men, duridg the short time they were en-
gagged, expended, on an average, fifty rounds
Of ammunition. Many of the guns became
useless by means of foulness. In consequence
OF this, and want of ammunition, we were re-
lieved by other troops, and arrived in camp
about o'clock A. NJ, on the morning of the
2Sth.
The following is list of casualties during