Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-06-16
HEAD QUARTERS, 28th RECT. N. C. Vols,
Near Richmond, June LIST 1862.

General: In obedience to your orders, |
proceeded to Talliaferro's Mill on the morn
ing OF the 9th of May, with eight hundred
and ninety $500 OF my regiment, and a sec
ton of Capt. j r. Potts. While / was there
examining the ground f r a suitable position
for my forces, information was received that
the enemy were approaching In the direction
of HanOrer G.. II. | Immediately retraced
my steps, marching left in front, and throw
ing out one platoon Of Co. G., as hankers,
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.. Z. G. Morrow. 1t was not
until we had nearly emerged from the pine
thicket in front If DR.. Kjnney's, that we dis
covered sOme Of the enemy ambuShed in the
same, to oar lett and 26here zoe Wcr0 not &C.
pectthg them. The regiment was Immediate
ly halted, faced by the rear rank, and wheel
ed to the right through the woods, pouring
q hGt and deadly fire Into a portion of the
25th New York Regiment as they executed
the movement. As soon as we cleared the
thicket and appeared in the road, running by
DIR. Kinney's to Richmond, another portion
of the enemy. prev ously concealed in the
wheat and behind tue house Immediately in
front of us, opened a sharp fire. " ich was
pIOtIpL1 lCSEOlluCN " W OhS -Cbh' AAS
regiment was then ordered to charge; and
did it most gallantly, many of them, shout.
ing, leaped the ditch and high fence enclosing
the field of wheat, while the rest rushed into
the yard and around the houses. The enc.
my armed with Springfield rifles, were flush.
ed like so much game as we advanced, and
dropped back into the wheat before our un
erring marksmen. Here, and in the woods,
we killed and wounded not less than two
hundred (2Oo) and took a large number Of
prisoners, only aboutseventy five IS of whom
we were able to send to the rear, and put in
charge of a small detachment of cavalry from
the 4th Va. regiment, which WAS retiring
from the Mills. 1t was not until we hac
swept the 25th New York regiment before
us and passed nearly across the wheat field
. that we found ourselves in the presence Of a
whole brigade, commanded by Gen. Martin
dale, about four hundred 400) yards distant
from our extreme right. The enemy opened
a heavy flank fire on us from their tO0 bat
teries planted upon an eminence between thu
balance of your brigade and ourselves, bu
fortunately fired too high, and gave us tim
to reform in an open field on the opposite
side of DR.. Kinney's dwelling and in a dl
rection perpendicular to our previous posi-
ton. Our flag bearer was shot down Will
We were reforming Jul OlIO u Mo yin ouCi
seized the flag and bore it onward. 1t wa
here | sent to you for reinforcements, stating
that we had been cut off by an eVerwhel
ming force. | also sent a courier to Hanove
G.. Il. for assistance, with instructions to pro
coed to Hanover junction, If none could b
had there.
After we had reformed, the men, heate
and excited, threw off their knapsacks, mad
heavier than usual by the drenching rain
the previous night, were advanced a shol
distance and made to lie down, while the se'
ton of artillery previously planted IN To
road. was ordered to take a more commandin
position in rear of the dive ling, between go
and 700 yards from the enemy's guns, afte
which we opened brisk and we'll directe
fire. forcing the enemy to withdraw one
his pieces, which was thrown forward a lit
on the same side of the road with ourselve
Lieut. Potts and the men under him behave
with treat galllntry and must have dor
considerable execution. This unequal CO
test was maintained for three long hours,
rxnectation of assistance either from you
Hanover junction. During the artiliel
firing. Capt. w. j. Montgomery, with h
company, ives ordered to the rightto obser'
the enemy anu check his advance upon
hollow not far from the AZ thlery, while Gag
johnson with Il part vi Ma 1o'i 1a"y W.
sent to the left to .reconnoiter. Oompal
b. under Capt. s.. n. Stowe, and the renal
der of Co. G gnder Lieut.. Morrow, we
held as a support to our two pieces. Cal
Montgomery soon informed me that the Ell
NV were throwing a large force through
wooded ravine on our right, 70 surround |
He was Immediately recalled and ordered
follow the head OF their line along a fer
running parallel to the road and the ott
companies of the regiment, except those abe
mentioned, were directed to follow. Ar
prolonging our lines IN thus new dlreSti
and finding the enemy still going on a
throwing, at the same time, sharpshoot'