Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-19

threw out IN front of the road a large force o
cavalry to charge upon it; but were deferred
probably; through ignorance of the small force
we held IN reserve. Our guns immediately
engaged the fort and, in a measure. succeed
ed in drawing the enemy's fire from our in
fantry, which was now becoming most ener
getically engaged. 1t was apparent the en-.
emy's force greatly exceeded ours, and thai
not only the woods, but the fallen timber. were
filed with rebel sharpshooters and infantry
Still the struggle progressed, while many q
doubtful eye glanced anxiously back in the
vain hope OF discovering the reinforcements
which should long hours before have reached
us. The rain still poured down in torrents.
The enemy were every moment growing
holder, fercer. and more numerous and, in
one or two instances, evidence was afforded
that the courage and strength of some of our
troops were wayering.
Our batteries, which had up to this time
(about - o'clock, been hotly firing, sud
denly found themselves in danger of being
surrounded, and left their pieces, which were
seized upon by the enemy. Adjt. Simon p.
Currer Of the 18th Massachusetts, who was
in command of the left OF that regiment, with
the colonel on the right, rushed from their po-
sition on the right, and with most daring
charge drove the enemy from the guns, but
not until they had succeeded in spiking one
of the pieces. They were held in check by
this little force until the guns could be charged
with grape and canister, which was poured
into the enemy with terrible effect. But the
ammunition was soon exhausted, and our ar
tillery could no longer hold in check the adj
vance Of the enemy along the road. The
horses were cut loose and killed, to prevent
their falling into the hands OF the enemy, and
| the guns for time abandoned. but were held
! against the enemy by the llth until relieved
! by another battery. The ammunition of one
or two Of our infantry regiments was also so
| nearly expended that but two or three rounds
remained, when supply at length came Strug-
| Cling forward through the mud
| The firing was now becoming hotter and
| hotter and hotter and the New Jersey brigade,
| which had arrived and engaged the enemy on
the left of the road, began to fall back foot
| by foot, but with faces to the front, and firing
! desperately rs they retreated. The woods
| were Swarming with rebels. Still no sounds
! of reinforcementS broke on our ears. The
| llth Massachusetts was again called upon to
support the left, which was giving way before
| the superior force opposed to them. The Of
| tcerS soon, however, restored confidence
| confluence III which themselves had little
faith, beyond sustaining good order until they
could withdraw or be reinforced. The 18th
at last struggled up to the scene of the doubt
full conflict on the left, and with charge
and shout they rushed upon the foe, who
in turn broke and ran in disordcred mass
eS But they, too, quickly rallied and surged
back upon us. 1t was now half past 4, and
the chances were everywhere against us, anC
our dead and wounded were swelling in num-
beers rapidly. Gen. Sumner had sent up NJ
reintorcements, though hours had passeC
since word had been forwarded him, and he
lay within cannon shot Of the battle; and t.
add to our darkening prospects, it was dis
covered that the enemy were stealing silently
and cautiously around our left flank, and hat
nearly accomplished that purpose, when tn,
| eleventh Massachusetts, which was stationed
at the extreme left, by quick, unexpected
and skllltuI manmuvre, threw themselye.
| bravely against the head of the strong column
which recoiled, suffering terribly from tn,
unexpected shock Twice had this gallan
regiment, headed by its COOL keen-sightec
and vigilant colonel, preserved the fortune O
our army during this bloody atfray.