Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-16

3,
l gave the order to retire just in time TO e
scape being surrounded. Here was lost one
| of the most gallant officers OF the regiment.
| Capt Phil. Holland was shot dead while steady
/ ing his own men and attempting.to rally others.
/ The enemy did not pursue us far, but turned
| to the left to attack the batteries; my regi-
ment halted about 400 yards to the ear, where
l made it the nucleus for rallying all the frag-
ments of the Pennsylvania Reserves which
came that way. The men rallied noby,
though still under heavy fire They only
wanted point to gather, and the order to fall
! in. We soon had the colors of six regiments
! in the line, and a respectable brigade of troops
/ properly officered and in fighting condition
Among the officers who distinguished them
selves, particularly in this rally and subse-
quent advance, i beg leave to mention the
name of Mr.. Charles Lambor OF your own
staff, Capt. Chandler Hall, of Gen. McCaIl's
staff; Lieut.. Col: Warner, Capt McDannals,
Capt. j. 3. Knox, Capt. Partridge, Lieut.. j.
b. Pettis, Lieut.. G. S. Knee, and Lieut.. D. NJ.
May, of the Penna. Reserves, Lieut.. Col
Fisher, Maj. Dare, Capt Sundmyer, Capt
Taggart, and Lieut.. Petricke of the 5th Penna.
Adj McMurtrie and Lieut.. Weaver, of the
18th Penna. Reserves, Lieut.. Col. Olifant
Capt. VIM. Leinar, Adj. Miller and Lieut.. Co
chran, of the Sth Penna. Reserves. OF my
own command, my only remaining officers
Capt. Fisher, Lieut. Allison and Lieut.. Bitter
ing, of the 1st Rife Regiment and Capt Gil
rard and Lieut.. Sheppard, of the United
States sharpshoo;ers, displayed the most ad-
mirable courage and GOODNESS.
At dusk, moved the whole batallion which
seemed to put itself under my command for
ward in excellent line of battle toward the
| front where the fight raging in the dense
woods. Here L should have been utterly at
loss as to where advantageously to place my
command, but for the superior Judgment and
accurate knowledge of the progress of the bat
7 . Ia, a \
ed the other divisions of the fresh troops as
they had come up, and knew from his own OBJ
servation the position of every corps upon the
| field. Upon his advice | moved by flank up
the Richmond road, and advancing steadily to
the extreme front under sharp fire, halted to
reconnotre, on finding myself among the
wreck of our own batteries where the action
commenced. Gen. Mccall had come out of
the woods wounded and alone, and taken his
place at the head of the column. After the
malt, the General took me forward few PAGES
with him, and in the darkness suddenly we
found ourselves close upon the leveled muskets
of a column of the enemy which filled the road
in front of We were ordered to halt and
dISn cunt, but L urned and escaped only slight
ly hurt, drawing two vollies from the enemy.
General Mccall was not so fortunate and is in
the hands of the enemy. Ny men at the
same time had captured the colonel of a rebel
regiment with small party who were scout
ing in our direction. | formed my first com
pany across the road and went to the rear I'm
search of a cannon to sweep the road in front
L soon became, however, so faint and dizzy
from the effect of my hurt, that was taken
to the hospital, aud took no further part in
the action, which soon terminated. The
presence of my force which still remained half
an hour on the ground, and then retired in
good order, doubt checked an advance of
the enemy, which would have cut our lines in
the very centre. its
They were already feeling their way down
the road, and had a powerful column ready to
make the dash. The loss of my command in
this action was much greater in proportion
than i'll any of the proceeding. l have this
morning but three officers and sixty men of
my own regiment, and three officers and twcn-
ty-eight men of the y. S. SharpshooterS, for
duty. We were under fire for awhile this
morning at the battle of Malvern Hills but
soon retired, according to yonr ORDER under
the bluff. | am panied to mention the loss of
Capt. Drew, of Wisconsin, Company e. u. s.
Sharpshooters, brave, skillful and much be-
loved commander. He was shot dead early
in the action.
As to the conduct of my command both
officers and men, | can only say that it more
than realized my highest ideal Of the soldiers
character. ] cannot name individuals where
all are equally distinguished. No commits
stoned officer of my command is uneunal to
the command Of regiment, and no non com
missioned sofiiccr remains who does not de-
serve commission.
My Adjutant, Lieut.. W r. Hartshorn, one
OF the best officers of the service, was severe
ly wounded in the head on the evening of the
10Th, and was doubtless taken prisoner in the
hospital at Savage's Station.
QuartermaStcr Lieut.. III. ID. Patton an off
Ger of great energy aud activity, was of the
highest service to me in the engagement of
the 10Th. Sergeant Major Roger Sherman
who shared the greatest danger in every ac-
ton with the most remarkable self possession,
was lost on last evening and is probably wuun-
ded and prisoner. L beg leave also to men,
tion the earnest and untiring labors of Chap
lain Rev. W. III. d. Haitian in caring for the
wounded. encouraging the exhausted, both on
the field and in the hospitals. Assistant Sur
geon W. j. Humphrey has been throughout
these battles, always at his post and attend
ing to his duty.
Private John Doyle, stalwart giant of Eas-
toms Battery, well known as the "Infant'
after the loss Of their guns came as a voun-
teer to my command, where his dashing gal
lantry, ready wit and evident enjoyment of
the occasion were continued source of en-
couragement to all about him.
In conclusion, General, | beg to express the
hope that the conduct of my men during
some OF the most trying scenes of these event
ful days may have fallen under your own OBJ
seryation. | will forward complete list of
CASUALTIES at as early period as possible.
Most respectfully,
Your obedient servant