The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-06-20

LETTER FROM THE FIRST REGI-
NEWT.
THE BATTLE OF FAIR OAKS
CAMP NEAR FAIR OAKS, Va,
June 9th. 1862. {

WICK 0SOs anu yOu unV0 HO uVuos AVOn0u
for some words from your "Private." But
the total absence Of all kinds of stationery,
as well as remaining under arms all the
time since, have prevented me from writing
before.
In the intervals between my last letter
and our advance across the Ohickahominy,
nothing varied our life but the usual march.
es from point to point, halting few days
here and there in the dense recesses of
pine forest or camping in an open field.
When General Porter lately advanced to
the railroad, we marched to Gold Harbor,
and were within supporting distance when
he destroyed the railroad bridges, after
which we returned to camp.
On the 31st ult., the booming of cannon
and the distinct roar of musketry, told US
that battle was in progress. Our haver.
sacks were supplied with one days rations,
and armed with 60 rounds of cartridges we
were impatiently waiting for orders. Pres.
emily orders came, and the whole of Sum.
ner's corps, which but few moments before
presented lively camp picture, men lazily
moved to and fro, but with countenaroe
of eager expectations, while the mounted
orderlies and aids hurriedly galloped around
was now formed in lines of battalion, and
instantly on the line of march. The Mime
sofa First was in the advance of the whole
corps, and proudly did our Colonel lead the
firm boys of the First. The previous nights
rain had flooded the valley of the Chicka.
hominy, but muddy roads, and swamps
through which we waded knee~deep in
water and mud, did not materially re.
tard our speedy march to the scene of bat.
tie, where we arrived about three P. NJ.
Our Colonel was ordered to the extreme
right, and had just formed US in line of
battle on slight elevation in wheat field,
when the enemy was distinctly seen fling
around the corner of the fed, in the edge
of the woods opposite. We were then or.
dersd to lay down On the ground, concealed
in the wheat field, and await the advance of
the rebels. The line of battle was continued
along the edge of the woods on our left, by
the advancing reinforcements of Sumner,
and the line had scarcely been formed and
the men faced to the front, before the roar
of furious battle commenced, which did
not cease until the dark shades of night had
thrown veil over the scene of blood and
terror, and the attacking, but now repulsed,
Confederate forces had retired from the in.
exorable wall of FIRE from our lines.
Only three companies Of the left wing
of our regiment were actually engaged,
but the fire from the enemy sent some
scattering balls obliquely through the
woods, and whizzed ominously through the
wheat straw above our heads, while we lay
silently concealed reserving our fire for
more elective work if the enemy should ad.
vance more directly in front. Our regi.
ment captured about thirty prisoners, in
Guiding Colonel and Lieutenant Colonel,
and several other officers. Our regiment
loss was very light only one killed and
three or four slightly wounded. While our
loss is so small, and our real engagement in
the bloody struggles of the battle of the
3Oth is but slight, the Importance of our pc.
sition on the extreme right, our being in
the advance of Summers corps, and our
timely arrival on the scene of action, merit,
as they receive, the praise and commenda.
ton due US for saving the fortunes of the
day, which thus far had been disastrous to
the divisions of Casey and Couch.
The night between the 3lst of May and
the LIST of June, we lay on our arms on the
battlefield and picketed in front. Early on
Sunday morning the line Of battle was ad.
vanced and our left wing right wheeled, res
moving US still further from participation
in the battle of that day-the enemy not
attacking the extreme right of the flank.
We were, however, in line Of battle every
moment expecting contest with the ene>
my, while Immediately to our left the VOL
lies of musketry was continuous and deaf
ening-Bull Run had no comparison.
Since these battles we have held our
position, erected breastworks and picketed
out in front, besides been on hundred and
one details for fatigue duty, burying the
dead, transferring the wounded from the
battle field to the hospital and cars, cutting
down belts through the woods, &c. Con.
siderable skirmishing and picket firing has
trauspired daily in front !; and sometimes
our pickets have been driven in, when the
magic command, "fall in" instantly starts
our quiet, cool and disciplined soldiers from
their positions of rest and ease into solid
lines of battle, but as yet no engagement
has resulted.
Generals German and Dana have been
complimented highly for their gallant cons
duct in the late battles, and the bravery Of
the men eulogized-which the services they
rendered emiDently merit.
The weather today is warm and pleasant
the sun shines and the mud is drying ar
"a rather novel feature in this latitude,
having so long and constantly had nothing
but rain and mud.
The health of our Regiment is very good
We are now becoming impregnable tt
hardships and exposures.
Captain Russell's company of Minnesots
Sharpshooters has been attached to oul
Regiment since the late battles, and joinet