New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-10
The Battle Of Fair Oaks.

extracts from private letter. written BY Col. Bar.
low of the 6lst Regiment in regard to the battle of
Sunday:
At about a. m. on June 1, we were reused, and
was ordered by Gen. Howard TO form my regi-
ment on what is called I" close column " Of division
II was dark and raining. My orders were to take
certain position, and be ready to form in line when
ordered, or when the line in front of US should
break or retreat, or when, from any cause, should
think it best. After having formed line, was to
was on the right Of the second line next on our
left was the NewYork 64th, and on their left was
the 8lst Pennsylvania. The w.Hampshre 5th
was In some other part OF the field. In our 'front.' in
the woods, in same formation as ourselves, was
Frenchs brigade Of our DIVISION and directly in
our rear was Mesghers brigade-only two of his
regiments being present. We stood in this position
some Two hours, hearing occasional firing lmusketry
on our left.
The rain stopped and the men were allowed TO
make fire and cook sOne coffee, and took some.
We had begun TO think there would be no fight.
About Z a. M, we heard tremendous volley OF
musketry burst out Of the woods on our left. We
we were at once faced by the flank, as it is called
lin four ranks formationl, and marched into the
woods in double quick, mine following the 9th
Regiment On our WAY the firing continued, and
we Jaw several men of other regiments orouchiDg
under bushes. spoke to several aud asked them why
they did not go on; they said they bad lost their
guns. pointed them out 10 my men es examples OF
what coward is. The wood was q thick second
growth of oak interspersed with some taller trees.
After marching some 200 yaIds, we came out on the
railroad, when we formed in line Of battle, with the
9th on our left The firing was going on in the
woods, the other side of the railroad toward
which we were facing, but Of the shots struck
near lis. then ordered our to cap their pieces,
they having been previously loaded. In a few
minutes voiley was fired in the woods, and the
balls buzzed close over us. My regiment stood firm
and fast. Al this time, the 9TH New-iampshire and
Slst Pennsylvania were at some other point On the
railroad, no, in sight.
moment alter, the order was given TO move for
ward and we and the Gath moved in line OF battle
into the woods. A tremendous firing was going on
therein but we could no through The leaves,
though the balls came about Us very thick. Al length
we came on the SD Pennsylvania Regiment, one OF
Frcnch's brigade They were firing bIisky upon the
enemy in their font. was riding before the regi-
ment, and do not know whether we had lost any one
ND TO that time. l asked the Colonel of the b5d
Pennsylvania to stop firing while went on in al
vance Of HIM. His men were firing all crouched
down. lie stopped, and we went over him in good
order. We began firing as We went on, and could
plainly see the enemy in the woods in front Of US;
we were close to them, and they fred vigorously.
ordered nv men 10 cease firing which, much 10 their
credit they did and we went steadily on until we
got to kind Of clearing the crest Of hill, where
rhere was a camp. The enemy were firing and fall
inc back before s al the time When we got to the
crest of the HILL halted the line got i in order and
the most violent firing began both sdes Tie sing
ing Of the bullets awful. In about three minutes
men were dying and grooming, and running about
with faces shot and arms shot, II was an awful
sipht.
In "a few moments Capt. RUSSELL Co. +. was shot
dead also Capt. Trenor, Go. ID; also Lieut..
McInlyrc, commanding Co. G; Lieut.. Balm,
commanding Co. ID, and Lieut. Bergen, command
ing Co. X, were soon wounded and bad TO leave
the field, leaving the companies without any officers.
Lieut. Conltis OF Co. G was also wounded and left
the field leaving his company without any officer
also Lieut Maze, Co. A, was wounded, aud carried
off.
Irode in advance of the line until we got mi ourpo-
sition. Ny horse went on beautifully and calmly
and was not at all frightened and did not once shy.
lie seemed wholly uneoncerned. After We
got into our position l found l could Lot
move readily about in the woods on horseback,
and 81 dismounted. When We had been iir
ing come minutes Gen. Howard came through
our brigade on foot with his arm tied mp. He had
led The 6ith, and now was on his way OF the field.
His horse had been SHOT and his arm broken ia two
places. 1. WAS amputated last evening. He goes
homo to-day. Charles Howard his brother and aid,
il severely wounded in the thigh. Miles IS unhurt,
except slight Craze OF the heel.
After about ten minutes OF firing, the enemy fell
back, and we could see them 10 longer. / stopped
the irng and rent Col. Massett back TO ask for sup
port. as there were no regiments on either Of our
Hanks
The sd Pennsylvania came up, passed in front Of
ug. and vigorous firing again began. do ot
know whether they saw the enemy or not. They
soon fell back behind our men, and stopped firing
not seeing the enemy. Very soon word was brought
that a regiment of the enemy had got round be-
tween US and the railroad III our rear ana sent
back 10 il this was 30 and also 20 notify our
people OF our position which was al advance OF any
IL lfzt
getf was shot dead, through the head We have
buried him. ard marked his grave. Al this time we
were in very ticklish position--we and the sd
PENNSYLVANIA We were tar advanced, and many
had been killed and wounded. There was no one
supporting our tanks, and it was highly probable
ported to ne by those whom had sent back to in.
vestigate.
Cen Howard had ordered nie not TO retreat with
mt orders, and | should not have dared a. any
rate 70 retreat, for the woods were thick, and L
should not have dared to fire, lest we should lire On
our own men. got the ron quoted aad made them
lie down. and sent officer after another 10 notify
Gen. Richardson OF our situation. FINDING II neces'
sary to change our position slightly, was moving
the men, when we got a tremendous volley from our
rear-whether from our own men OF the enemy 1
don't know. l had my men lie quickly down, and
the bullets passed overus. II we had been standing
we shoud have suffered terribly. AT length my
came back with orders to march ont by
circuious route. The other regiments had been no.
tilted of our coming and ceased firing. We came
ont in beautiful order, and were the last regiment
ont of the woods. We ound the rest oil the division
drawn mp on the railroad anu in the open field, anu
lave been waiting ever since. bringing ia our
wounded.
We have been expecting an attack, but this morn.
inc think the enemy have retreated, as heard
,hom moving last night. 1t seems we were opposed
TO the "a Alabama Regiment, over 800 strong. We
drove them completely out OF sight. The enemy
had designed to Hank this part OF the army but had
been repulsed on al sides. My men behaved really
q, L,,t drova them ali IN Zen, Howard has