The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-07-23
Correspondence Of the Republican,.
From StOekson's k1eEimene.

! From Stoekson's Regiment.
| GENHRAL HoePuAL,
| Annapolis, MARYLAND,
| JsIy 7th, 1862.
Ed. REPUBLIcAN-.Sir: would have written
to you before this, had it not been for ciTcam.
stances over which l have no control, (Secesh
controlled them.) You have no doubt heard Of
tire battle of Friday, June the 27th,-would that
l had the capabilities to describe the fearful con-
test Of that day, and Of doing justice TO the many
instances of skill and bravery, not only of our
commanders, but Of the rank and file. On
Thursday, the Goth, We received orders to strike
tents, pack knapsscks and move TO q new camp.
ing-ground, but We had not gone far, when We
learned that the enemy had attacked McCalrs
Division At Nechanicsville, and Was expected to
be at this time lurking in the woods around Us !,
but our cavalry failing to fnd any trace Of them,
and il being about dark, We encamped in an
open field for the night. At Al early hour OF
the morning it was sscertained thai the enemy
was advancing, and McCalls Division had fallen
back on Porser's corps. Now every preparation
was made to give them a warm reception. Our
line Of battle was formed in the neighborhood Of
Gaines Mil; Por,ers, now Ao.rell's Division on
the left and centre; to the right Of this Divisou
there were eight regiments of regulars and Nc
Calls Division.
Our line covered and protected two bridges
across the Chickahominy-ou only means of re
treat in case Of defeat. Our line being formed,
the men uuslung knapsacks, and piling them on
rails and brush made . temporary bresstwork.
The 10th Michigan divested themselves OF every
unnecessary article and took their position inside
Of the line as . reserve.
This disposition being made of the troops, We
anxiously waited the approach of the enemy,
who came up at noon, when the battle CON.
menced to wax fierce.
1t is not possible to exaggsrats . single cir
cumstance that occurred during the entire day
The enemy did not at any time try to engage our
forces all along the line, but rather dashed
against our lett, and finding the breaking 0: our
lines at that point impracticable, would draw of
his hosts and marshal them for al onset on our
centre. Six times they attacked the left and the
centre, and were repulsed with fearful slsugh.
ter.
The rebels we're gosded to madness by large
potatiOns of whiskey mixed with gunpowder.-
Ali the canteens found on the dead and wounded,
contained the above.
The frst onset they dashed down upon US like
a torrent, thinking to sweep every vsstige OF
US from the field. Now the Mich. 18th was
called into requisiton; they went at double.
quick to the support of the Maine I'd. Finding
that were a. immovsble as the pillars Of justice,
law, and order that We we're fighting for, fed.
leaving the field literally strewn with the dead
and dying.
As the 10th Mich. moved hAck to another po.
sition, (for We had ne abiding place. Gen. But.
terfield met US with a smile beaming on his
conntepance, addressing US, be paid: "You
have acted noby, men. and nothing can beat the
Michigan soldiers for double quick; and you
are always ready to 60 when and where you are
ssHSsifSat oPsXss OsSpt g Rd"r
thought that the honor of the State was again
sustained, made our hearts bound With pleasure.
Thus the battle ragged until sundown, when
enemy reported to be advancing 10000 strong
So far everything had gone in our favor, and IL
all appearances likely to do SO, when, contrary
to all expectations, the right centre broke and
fed when reinforcements were coming up. Re-
port says that it was the lth Regulars who frs
broke and ran. There wa. no alternative but
general retreat.
Twice We faced the enemy and checked thei,
I L.:l t.
now directed their pursuit towards our right
tempted no doubt by the alluring bait Of large
number of field pieces, which they likely cove
ted. Bu: just as they came within good rang
of our artillery opened upon them, moving then
down like grain before the reaper; now wa
their time not to retreat, but flee panic str.ckei
each man for himself Now was our time t,
pursue. The SD Penn, 44th n. Y. and 16tl
Mich. being the only troops within sight, forme'
into line aud drove the enemy beyond our oil
position on the left.
1t was pronounced BY cool heads to be forlorl
hope, but they were bold spirits who led us on
Major Welsh led the 10th, and was conspiciou
for his bravery throughout the day.
The rebels had now rallied or brought forwar
fresh troops. We met them in the open 6eld
but now the confusion commenced worse tha
tha, at the Tower of Babel. The rebels appesre
to be dressed in our clothes, which is likely, q
they captured large quantities of them.
Now the cry was raised that We we're firing IL
to our own men, and owing to the smoke and th
shades OF evening, it was impossible to ind OF
how it really was. 1t was now deemed advis'
able to fall back to a email ravine in order I
find out how matters we're We had not long ,
wait in uncertainty, as their artillery opened u
vu ur, aud si.vi, infauIry poured IN upon Us
overwhelming numbers.
The contest became now an unequal one, and v
were obliged to retreat, as We had no artillery
infantry near enough to support us. We vel
: nov subjected to one of the most destructi'
o fires of the day /; it was terrible; and to an o
server it would appear q miracle that there vi