New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-18

From the time the three signal cannon-shots were
fired by the enemy he did not use any artillery till
after Caseys Division had been fairly driven from
the field 90 that the statement that of Spratt
gun-carriages was disabled by the enemy's round
shot, becomes ridiculous. Lieut.. Charles Mink, who
assumed command Of Battery ii, after Capt. Spratt
was wounded, finding that he could save but two Of
bis pieces, sent them from the field, and remained
behind to spike the other two. This he succeeded
in doing, beside dismounting one rendering 1t Of no
use to the Rebels. This piece was recovered on the
following Monday. Lieut.. Mink displayed great
courage during the action, and saved his pieces
under cover Of a charge, conducted by Gen. Nagee.
II il stated that Spratt's Battery lost nearly all
team horses, and three of these belonged to the
abandoned piece.
But the most egregous error of the statement re-
ferred to, and the most unaccountable was this
that the enemy charged on Bates's Bat
| terry with trOiled arms, and captured it
without firing gun. At the time
the guns Of Bates's Battery were spiked
and abandoned, Lieut.. Howell had been gone
to the rear for some time, ana knew nothing what
concerning the operations on the field after he
retired. This slur on the gallant boys who served
the guns Of Batess Battery, amid an ineessant
shower of bullets, is wholly unaccountable.
simple statement Of the casualties III this battery
will prove TO what severe test its courage was
put, and show the glazing injustice that your cor
respondents infoimer has been guilty Of. TrO OF
the cannoneers were killed at their posts by rifle
balls. Seven more were wounded while working
the guns Before any orders were received 10 Cease
firing, or to spike the guns, orer ty Of the battery
horses lay dead and dying, inertTtcd6ly eataRgied
IN their harness. Col. Bailey was killed between
two Of Battery AS guns, and bis adjutant, Viii
Rumsey, WAS severely wounded while with the
same battery. Col. Baley's horse was shot inside
the little earthwork, which was only breast high,
almost simultaneously with his master who had re-
ceived orders to have the guns spiked. But before
Col. b. had time to direct the spkng of the pieces
he recsiv ed hs death-wound, aud the battery kept
on firing canist-I into the advancing Rebel lines
actually checking BEN for short time, till finally
Gen. Nagee in person, issued the order to spike the
guns, il being utterly impossible TO remove them
scarcely horse remaining untouched, and not
team beng let trhOie. The Rebel fire was undoubt
eddy concentrated against this position, as it was the
most prominent point on the held. Every discharge
too from these brass l2-pounders reaped wnrows OF
death in the Rebel ranks and If these guns had not
been so long and so faithfully served thus covering
the retreat of our shattered and decmated infantry
regiments, the slaughter among our troops would
have been increased fvefold. Gen. Casey saw the
importance Of holding this earthwork till the last
moment and both he and Gen. Nagee encouraged
the at the guns by their personal presence, dis
playing the utmost GOODNESS amid perfect hail OF
bullets. Gen. Nsglee, while near the battery, bad
two horses shot from under him in quick succession,
and Gen Casey, at one period OF the action. stood
by the side Of Bates's guns c0olly watching the
progress of affairs and, he witnessed the terrible
execution Of our shrspnel and canister, turned to
the gunner with the words That was a good one;
give them doube-headers, boys!' From that mo-
ment they poured in double charges Of canister
from those elk l2-pounder Napoeons, Col. Bailey's
pet guns, and If the statements of Rebel prisoners
are TO be relied on they wiped out whole companies.
Ba,es's Battery was the only battery Of Napoleon
pieces in the Division, though The Heraid corre-
Fpondent speaks Of the terrible execution done by
the Napoleon guns, under Spratt. The latter had
four three-nch rifed guns.
Both Spratts and Baiess Batteries were worked
with signal success that day. and IT is but justice
that each should have square statement OF facts.
Tims alone is necessary to prove that At the Bat
tie OF the-Seven Pines Csseys hoe division fought
despohaly and behaved well, notwithstanding
McClellans report TO the contrary. Mcclellan was
no. there to see, but there exist thoee who rcre
present ana who will 10 II that the gallant men
under their command are yindisGted from every
charge and shadow OF cowardice. Inc tact that the
entire division not cut up taken prisoners fe-
fleets great credit upon it's Generals while the heavy
losses sustained in field and line officers speaks
volumes. SFtcIAfoh'