The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-06-03

sKIRMIsH AT COLD HARBOR.
The Fourth Michigan Regiment Pat to Flight .
Whole Rebel Brigade.

Com HAnsoR, Va, May "a, 1862.
The Gallant Conduct of the Fourth Michigan Volun-
teevs-The Mareh-The Dash Across the Riper-
The Fi9ht-The Rebeis-TAeir Sfrength-KiA &
and Wounded-Rebei Dead-Tyophies-Gen Nc
Cleiians ArriDaI-his Congratulations. &c.
The most important skirrnsh that has oc-
cured between our troops and the rebels in
front of Richmond, took place this morning.
Engaged on our side was tho Fourth Mlch
gan regiment, Colonel Woodbury., who fought
for two hours with desperate and heroic cour
age an entire rebel brigade. We lost one man
killed, Two mortaly wounded. aud four seri-
ously wounded, and did not lose a prisoner
The rebels lost one hundred kille aud woun
ded, and thirty -seveu prisoners. The follow
ing is detailed account Of the affair:
Intelligence having reached headquarters
that quite force Of the enemy was near New
Bridge, the Fourth Michigan regiment, Col.
Woodbury., was sent to feel them, and, if nec-
essary, interrupt their quiet. The regiment
left camp at A. NJ, their Colonel at their
head, and all in splendid spirits at the pros
pect Of a rencounter with tho rebels. A sec.
ondary object of the expedition WAS to obtain
Information iu regard to the roads and fords
in the vicinity. Lieutenant N. Bowen, Of the
Typographical Engineers, went with the ex.
pedtion, as also squadron Of the Second reg
ular cavalry, under command Of Capt. Cor
don; a company Of the Fifth cavalry, Lieu
tenant Coster, a company Of the Eighteenth
infantry, Captain Forsyth, and company Of
the Second infantry, Captain McMlen. New
Bridge is four miles from the camp. They
went down the main road about two miles, to
what is called the Old Mill, and thence turn
ed to the right through piece of woods,
keeping it till they came to an open field,
commanding view Of the Chickahomny riv
er.
A portion Of Company A, Fourth Michi-
gan regiment, Captain Rose, was here sent
forward as skirmishers, and the remnant OF
the company kept as reserves. The regiment
filed out of the wood by flank, and formed in
line Of battle very nearly parallel with the
river, the left extending across the main road. g.
Here the rebels were seen lying behind
fence across the river. The right wing Of
Colonel Woodbury's regiment was ordered to
cross the river, which at this point is about
thirty feet wide. In the men plunged, all
accoutred as they were, but contrived to keep
their muskets in condition TO use. 10 some
places the stream, which had been swollen by
the rain during the night and morning, was
50 deep that the men were obliged to swim,
and none got over without wading waist deep
N water. But this was not the worst. The
enemy, who had lain conceal behind fence
close to the opposite bank Of the river, kept
up an ncessant fire upon them. fortunately
tho enerny's shots passed harmlessly over their
heads; but the shooting did no; dismay the
men 10 the least. Lieuts nant Bowen attemp-
ted to cross the stream with his horse, but the
latter was shot under him before he had ad-
vanced bird nf the way across. Tbis pre-.
vented field officers and the cavalry from At
tempting to ford the stream. All the comps.
MES but two passed the river. One Of those
remained behind 10 act as skirmishers in the
wood on the right, aud the other to keep an
eye on the bridge and to the left beyond to
prevent being ianked on either side by the
enemy.
As soon as our men crossed tie river the
work Of firing commenc d. Captain Roses
company discharged the first voley on our
side. All the remaining companies had their
muskcts to their shoulders n donble quick
time. The firing was brisk and continuous on
both sides. The rebels had two pieces Of ar
tilery from which they hurled shells at our
men, but the shells, like their volleys Of mus
kstry. passed over the heads Of our men,
Their cannon were planted on a hill beyond,
while the infantry still kept position behind
the fence, which, 10 addition to having an en-
bankment rs the base, in the style OF old Vir-
ginia fences, had deep and wide ditch in
front. The shooting continued for nearly two
hours. Our men drove the rebels behind the
= LII. ha of
fled. leaving their dead and wounded behind
them, taking refuge in encampments on the
hill.
On our side the last shot was fired. It was
not deemed prudent to pursue the retreating
enemy. It was evident that they had mista-
ken our force, or else acted, 10 retiring, more
intensely cowardly than we have ever thought
them to be. They bad four regiments en-
gagged, Fourth and Fifth Louisiana regiments,
a Virginia aud an Alabama regiment, besides
their artillery, while on our side there were
actually only eight companies Of the Fourth
Michigan regiment who did the fighting. Uu
der the circumstances. Of course, it was not
deemed prudent TO follow the foe.
Tho battled ended, them cana the care Of
the killed and wounded. The following is
list killed wounded on side:--
Private Abel NJ. d. Piper, Co. b; shot
through the heart.
WOUNDED.
Private Fraekliu Drake, Co. B. mortally.
Private Wm. II. Chase, Co. G.. mortally;
fracture Of thigh.
Private George z. Young, Co. B. flesh
wound iu arm.
Corporal John Campbell, Co. B. flesh
wound in thigh.
Private Martin Brockway, Co. B. compound
fracture Of forearm.
Private Charles Bruner, Co. A. flesh
wound in thigh.
Private Chas. Buuow, Co. 1. wounded 10
mouth.
The rebel loss is estimated in killed and
wounded at about ore hundred. In the ditch |
W ,re found twenty eight dead beiides Among
the killed were two lieut. na1ts. One was
shot with Two balls through tho head d h"
body Of the o,her was completely III d d
with bullets. OF the thirty seven prisoners
We took, fifteen were wouodeJ. Our men
brou0ht them on thar shouldera acrosa the |