New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-04

the 9TH day of May, write for an expression OF ths
truth.
There can be no doubt that the battle Of Wa,
Point was one Of the most important, in esrateeN
point Of view, that has occurred on the Penlnsuis.
Had the enemy effected defeat, no: alone wou'o
our then small force have been utterly destroyed ara
driven into the river bit McClel'aus advance have
been formidably contested and his expedition alon2
the PamuDky, on the enemy'e night fank, diverted
Gen. Franklin having been able TO land Only arou
1000 men of bis division on the night o, the o'n
were but lily prepared TO resist the advance ..
TWO divisions of the enemy, who ATTACKED US at
o'clock the next morning driving in the OF tie
9th New-York. Gen. Newton Immediately ordefee
Lbs brigade into position. and while tie 91th fehh'
sylyauia Volunteers were sent into the WOODS ~
sklrmishers, our regiment (thc 3lst New York; was
placed the edge Of wood overlooking the plain,
where the enemy were momrntsrily expected 10
emerge. The 81! New York was then sent into ths
woods to meet them. At this time, heavy lrlng wa
going Oh between the .krmi-hers OF the 35th Penn
sylyanis and the Rehes. Several terrific volley'
were exchanged between them and the 32d New
| York. when they the Sd came flying out Of he
woods closely followed by largely superior force.
having suffered "a severe loss.
Gen, Newton then rode up, sccOnInIied by HE
dashing Aid Lieut.. Waldron, and ordered our regi
uenr 10 charge into the woods immediately,
everything depended upon our action. Col. Pratt a.
once led rs 10 our position, and We entered the
woods charging in LIE OF battle, driving the enen,
before US. After proceeding short distance, ths
enemy got beyond reach IN the deDse woods, and we
came 10 halt Company Capt. Heiss ant
Company Ii Capt. sloan, having been de'asne'
from our lett and seLt forward, were attacked D.
two regiments OF the enemy, but contested sn'
ground with heavy lcss, not retiring nnil Coinian,
E had lost i,e Captain killed, lite First LieufeDan
morally Ant, irs second Lieutenant severely wound
ed; /. n0n-comm.sioDed officers and ~ private
killed ard woundsd-Company II also suffering 70
vercly. -
Col. Pratt then ordered Capt. Fuller lCo. ID to
take portion left aud protect that flank, anf
Can't Wi,,hac Oh our right. Capt. FULLER ba<
scarcely placed his nell in position when he was at
tao ,ed by three companies of the Hampton Legion
who, after sharp encounter, were repuised VIII
heavy loss, including their commander WHO wa
killed ut the second yoiley 1t was here that We los
tho la.aeried Babcoel, who fell MORALLY wounded
The eneuy, reprlsed on our let, now herceiy re
pewed the attack aong our whole front, pouriogn
their terrific fire. at which our men never once W.
ycrcd but at the command OF our brave Coionel
charged still deeper Tito the woods the enemy slowl,
reireatiDg before us, sensing volley upon Voney hu
our ranks Ii WIS az this time that Company Capt
Witthack sut red ;bo loss OF the brave Lieut. Pross
We finally succeeded ia dslodeinS the enemy Iron
fence which ex ended along the whole front, nns
behind which they had sheltered themselves Esfsb
fishing Ourselves in this strong POSITION we Succeeoce
in resisting unaided the attack Of four reeimentsio
inward of three bous, at which time tne 18TH Now
York and tie 9Th Maine REINFORCED Us On our !er
and the Ist aud III N.w-Jersey on orr iytt. Thu
reeuiorcrd we maintained tie position un,il 2lnset
abont which time the enemy hastily withdrew u
I. this time, out Of $50 engaged our loss was 81
and o; II officers were killed and wouaded:
should not have sought for any further publicity
OF oar action on that occasion, tsD the nHpuoiishet
official reports, had not rsudiced persona, with sin
gulr pertinacity, sought to g'orry certain Eegne'ii
at the expense Of the one which bore tie bran; o
the action. .on,
When state that during ten hours less than 900
men successfully resisted most desperate attack o
two divi -ions, say quite enough TO prove that al
engaged showed gasntry that reflects credit upoo
the army Bat e TO- the one Sl %slcs
treating a step a. auy stage Of the conflict; which
entered and cleared iors. Of the enemy from which
otter regiments bad been been already driven, sufer
ing far heavier loss in officers and men han any
other. requires me to make this statement, for the
correctness OF which appeal to the oieial reports
of the generals vino conducted the battle.
/ sm your obedient seryaat, $3.50 L. =. n
| Camp near Riehmond, Va, May "a, 1852.