Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-06-19
7
L OBJ. BRANCH, Brig. Cen,


trained.
Your obdt servant
L OBJ. BRANCH, Brig. Gen,
HEAD QUARTERS, 18th Rect n. @. VeLs, :
Near Richmond, June 1st, 1867.
General: In obedience to your orders, l proceeded
to Taliaferros Mill on the morning of the 9th OF
kay with eight hundred and ninety (690l of my regi
raent and section Of Capt. Lathams battery, COM
manded by lst Lieut.. j. R. Potts. While | was there
examining the ground for suitable position for my
forces Information was received that the enemy were
approaching IN the direction Of Hanover G. H
| Immediately retraced my steps, marching lett IN
'front.' and throwing out one platoon of Co. L., as
fankers under Capt. Geo. B. Johnston to my right
the supposed direction OF the enemy while the other
was thrown to my LETT and front under LIST Lieut.. E.
g. Morrow. It was not until we had nearly emerged
from the pine thcket in front of DR. KnneyS that we
discovered of the enemy ambushed in the same, to
our left and 1GheTe not erpeCtng Them
The regiment was Immediately halted, faced by the
rank and wheeled to the right through the woods
pouring hot and deadly fire in1o a portion of the
25h New York Regiment as they executed the move
ment. AS cleared the thicket and appeared
in tie road, running by DR.. klnney's TO Richmond
another portion oil the enemy, previously concealed
in tie wheat and behind the houses Immediately in
front of Us, opened sharp fge, which promptly
responded to by the 28th. The regiment then
ordered to charge and did it most CALAMITY, many of
them, shouting Ieapod the ditch and high fence en-
the yard and around the houses. The enemy armed
with Springfield rifles, flushed 4" like so much
game as we advanced, and dropped back into the
wheat before our unelring marksmen Here, and in
the woods killed and wounded not less than two
hundred (200 and took large number of prisoners,
only about seveny-fve (75) of whom we were able
to send to the rear, and put in charge of small de-
tachment OF cavalry from the 4th Va regiment, which
was retiring from the Mills It was not until we had
swept the 18th New York regiment before US and
passed nearly across the wheat field that we found our
selves IN tie presence OF whole brigade, commanded
by Gen. Martndae, about four hundred (40O) yards
distant from our extreme right The enemy opened a
heavy tank fire upon from their 1CO batteries planted
upon eminence between the balance OF your brigade
and ourselves but fortunately fired too high and gave
US time to reform IN open field the opposite side
OF DR.. Kinneys dwelling and in direction perpen-
dcular to our previous position Our flag bearer was
shot down While We were reforming but one OF bis
comrades seized the flag and hore it onward 1t was
here that sent to you for 1enferc stating that
we hsd been cut of by overwhelming force. [ also
sent courier to Hanover G. Ell for assistance, with
instructions to proceed tooI1anover Junction if none
could be had there After we had reformed, the men,
heated and excited, threw off their knapsack, made
heavier than usual by the dreuchng rain of the pre-
vIous night we're advanced short distance and made
to lie down, while the section of artillery previously
planted IN the road ordered to take more COM
mandng position 10 rear of the dwelling, between 600
and 700 yards from the enemys guns, after which we
opened brisk and we'll directed fire. forcing the enemy
to withdraw of his pieces which had been thrown
ward little on the side OF tie road with ourselves
Lieut. Potts and the under him behaved with great
galIanty and mnst have done considerable execution.
This unequal contest maintained for three long
hours IN expectation OF assistance either from you
Hanover junction. During the artillery firing, Capt.
W. j. Montgomery with MS company was ordered to
the right to observe the enemy and check bis advance
up hollow not far from the artillery, while Capt
Johnston with part of his company sent to the
lett to reconnolter. Company B., under Capt. S. n.
Stowe and the remainder OF Co. q. under Lieut..
! Morrow were held as a support to our two pieces.
| capt montgomery soon informed me that the eremy
were throwing large force through wooded ravine on
our right to surround He Immediately re-
called and ordered to follow the head of their line along
fence running parallel to the road and the other COM
panles OF the regiment except those above mentioned,
were directed to follow Alter prolongiDg our line in
this new direction and finding the enemy still going
and throwing at the same te sbarpshooters between
our Infantry and ar -iery up the hollow that Capt.
montgomery was first ordered to defend while their
tlllery was pouring hot fire upon US, (hey having
got our range and could see a strong infantry
reserve IN rear of their batteries, it was deemed ad-
vlsable to retire | was not able to recall Capt
Johnston from the LETT, and forced to leave the
dead and badly wounded the field, together with an
Old ambulance, a two horse wagon and our knapsacks
The tWevepound brass howitzar also had to be left,
as one Of the horses killed and three others badly
wounded We know the names of seven killed and
hetH "Ouh0tQ on our SIDE IN the engagement others
whose names we do not know, were either killed or
wounded as we retreated the field to the road
under the enemys fire. and few in the woods where
the engagement first commenced Exposed all the pre-
vlous night to drenchng rain without tents deprived
OF food having marched over horribly muddy road
with unusually heavy knapsacks, and having fought
bravely ard willingly for three hours in anticipation of
being reinforced not in condition to retreat
Many OF my brave tell from exhaustion on the
roadside, ard | am sorry to have to inform you that
many OF them still missing, but trust that in few
days the number will be greatly reduced as some are
hnding their way back to camp daily.
| We we're pursued by infantry, artillery and regi
ment OF cavalry beyond Hanover G. H., where re-
ceiyed dispatch from you stating that you had your
self engaged another portion of the enemy.
Guns were placed on the Railroad Hill, formerly &C.
cupied by the 18th N. G. Regiment as a camping
ground which prevented retreating by the Ashland
road, as We had anticipated and forced to axe the
right hand road to 1aylorsVe, along which we were
shelled for short distance The cavalry pursued us
beyond Col Wickhams farm and were only prevented
from making charge by our throwing the regiment
into field and making march along the fences while
Lieut.. Potts protected rear with his Parrot gun
We succeeded in reaching Taylorsvile about sunset
aud for the three days were endeavorng to Join the
rest OF the command we had scarcely any thing to eat
N1