Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-06-07

FIRST BRIGADE-GENERAL W. A. GoRMAN
First Minnesota, Col. ALI. Suly
Fifteenth Massachusetts, Lieut.. Col. kmball.
Second New York, Lieut.. Col Hudson.
Thirty-fourth New York. Col. Senter
SECOND BRIGADE GENERAL BURNS.
First California, Col. Wistar
Seventy second Pennsylvania. col. Baxter
SiYty-ninth Pennsylvania, Col. Owens
One Hundred and Sixth Pennsy lyania Col. More
| head.
THIRD BRIGADE-GENERAL DANA.
Twentieth Massachusetts,, Col. Lee.
Nineteenth Massachusetts, Col. Kinks.
Seventh Michigan, Col. GToyeneT.
| Fortysecond New York, Col. Charles
Ere leaving camp at Tyler's House the fir
ing, both of ordnance and musketry. had be-
come fearfully distinct. 1t was evident from
the quick rattle of the small arms, as the
sounds approached nearer and nearer, that
Casey and Couch were being driven by a SUI
! periOr force of the rebels. The division was
| in line in ten minutes after reception of the
ORDER and in five more in column on the
march at double quick. Every eye beamed
with satisfaction at the prospect Of having at
last brush with the foe. For long months
had this division waited and watched in vain
for signal opportunity of showing the stuff
OF which 1t was composed and the loud
mouthed ordnance and quick rattle of mus
kerry heard not far distant gave token that the
sharp set appetites for fight with and defeat
closed the scene.
Shortly after five p. NJ. our column formed
in line of battle, with Germans brigade occu-
plying the center, Danas the left, and Burns
the right with Ricketts, old battery of smooth
bores occupying commanding position to the
| right OF Germans brigade, on gentle knoll
| at the junction of two roads. The woods
were evidently filled with the desperate, and
so far victorious, rebels, who came swarming
over the road skirting the woods in which
they held position. across fence into a large
| peach orchard Their object was the capture
of the battery of Ricketts,, under command of
Lieut.. Kirby, United States army, and anoth-
err battery stationed at a house used as a hos
| pital near by Lieut.. Kirby's pieces were
smooth-bored hOwitzerS and l2-pounders,
loaded with grape and canister. As they
came within range for an effective fire he
opened upon them, literally making great
swaths in their ranks at every discharge of
his rapidly worked pieces. SO vast were their
numbers that no sooner was a gap opened by
his fire than it would be filled with the tenn
ing horde Of rebels, who pressed with defiant
| shouts from the woods.
The 34th New York, Col. Smith, and I'd
New York militia, Lieut. Col. Hudson, re-
ceived here the crushing effect of a well di-
rected fire and charge of the rebels They
were supported on the left by the LIST Mime
sofa volunteers, Col, Alt. Sully, and the 10th
Massachusetts, Lieut.. Col. Kimball. The
main strength of the rebel fury fell upon the
34th and I'd. Nobly did these gallant regi-
ments sustain the reputation of their state by
their gallant conduct on this occasion. Firm
as a rock stood they, obeying orders with the
steadiness of dress parade. Capt. Brown,
| of Germans staff, formerly of the 34th regi-
ment,) an old and experienced soldier, and
| beloved by all in the regiment, performed sig
nal service by his advice and exhortation to
| this brave band. The I'd, too, covered itself
all over with glory. The lst Minnesota and
10th Massachusetts rendered important aid
here by their steadiness on the right and left
TANKS of the 34th and I'd. SO cool were
these regiments that they stood with slightly
opened ranks. 1t is told of Col. Sully that at
one time he was to be seen inspecting and re-
marking on the condition and appearance of
the men as soldiers. General German and
staff were ubiquitous, moving from right to
left, animating the men to deeds Of daring
valor. Nothing too commendable could be
said of Gen. Germans conduct on this trying
and vital occasion. OF an impulsve and i'm
petuous nature, his bravery was only equalled
here by his prudence and GOODNESS. His cla-
rion voice rang like a trumpet DER the din of
the field to cheer his brave troops; and well
have the troops of his darling brigade sus-
tanned the commentators which he has so
loved to bestow upon them.
The rebels received from our columns the
most destructive and terrible fire without flag
ging. 1t is estimated that our veteran troops,
like the lst Minnesota, 18th Massachusetts
and I'd and 34th, fired three shots to their one,
and yet we had to resort to Georges" meth
cd before they would leave. Ere the dark
ness of night came on our men had COM
menced to drive the rebels from their well
chosen position Lieut.. Kirby's battery mean
time doing splendid work. The pursuit was
continued until darkness rendered it impossi-
bic to pursue the fleeing foe into their fast
nesses in the woods. Danas splendid brigade
had, meanwhile, their share of hard fighting
on the left Of Gormans brigade, and had
cleaned them out pretty thoroughly in time to
take part with the division IN the final pursuit
of the fleeing rebels on this day. The 18th
Michigan regiment, Col. Grovener, and Goth
Massachusetts, Col. Lee, of this brigade, were
closely engaged with the rebels, and put them
to a complete rout. The 10Th Massachusetts,
Col. Kinks, and Tammany regiment, New
York, Col. Charles, though not exposed to a
serious fire, exhibited all the precision of vet
Grams in the field, and only grieved for an oc-
casiOn to give the enemy full retribution for
common with many regiments in Sedgwicks
| division, suffered so severely. General Dana
was at times exposed to calling fire, and had
| his horse shot under him in five places. AT
no time, however, did he lose his usual pres
ence of mind and GOODNESS under fire.
The brigade of Gen. Burns, on the right of
the line, was at times exposed to'a hot and
close fire, which it bore without Il sign of wa
vering. Their loss will be less than that of
other brigades in the division, but still is quite
large. Gen. Burns exhibited great bravery
on all occasions, and is said to have led a
charge of BaXter's Fire Zouaves in person.
waving his hat and animating the men on by
his daring example. Gen. Sumner was eX-
posed, both in this and in the field where
Richardson was fighting the enemy, on many
occasions. His bravery was the theme of adj
miration on all sides, and the old white haired
veterans example was inspiriting in the high
est degree to all. The old veteran has been
dubbed by the boys, perhaps on account of
| the roundness and sonorOusness of his voice,
''The Big Bull of Bashan." Gen. Sedgwick
also distinguished himself, together with his
division staff, by constant presence on the
held IN the direction of the fight, and on one
occasion leading charge on the enemy in
person.
1t is conceded on all sides that the salvation
of our forces, on this day, from defeat and
modification, is due largely to Gen. T.. V.
Summers corps, whose opportune arrival, in
such splendid force and condition, saved the
fortunes of the day and turned the tide of bat
tie from the rebels to us. In fact, we arrived
at the very nick of time to be of avail. We
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