The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1862-11-06

the advance, SuppoTtcu Dy tle Il OItJ -SSf-
enth Pennsylvania, and followed by the
Fifty fifth Pennsylvania, the Sixth Con-
necticut and the Fourth New Hampshire.
Close behind followed Gen. Terry's com
mand, comprising the Seventy Penn
sylyania, the Seventh Connecticut, the
Third New Hampshire and the New York
Volunteer Engineers, preceded by "a sec
ton of Hamilton's battery, under Lieut..
Cuttings.
From the fact that an attempt on the
part of Captain Gray, of the Seventh Con-
necticut, to bag the picket at Mackay's
during the night had resulted merely iu
surprising them, it was inferred that the
enemy had timely notice of our approach,
and would be prepared for us in strong
force We met him at noon, about seven
artillery on either side of the road at the
summit Of slight ascent, TO reach which
we were compelled to cross an open field
and narrow causeway. Here, as the
Forty seventh Pennsylvania came up, the
enemy poured into us a fearful fire of
grape and shrapnel, which was promptly
answered by our musketry. Lieut.. Hen-
ry;s artillery also pressed forward at great
speed, and got so close to the rebels as to
play upon them with grape and canister
AS the ball opened, aud the echoes of
artillery grew more frequent, our boys
pressed on with cheers that were caught
up by the entire column, and in ten min
utes the rebels had been forced from their
position. They fell back, fighting as they
went, our troops crowding them distance
of a mile and a half
The rebel fire was from the first well
directed and we'll maintained 1t was hot
and terrible beyond anything l ever saw
before, excepting, perhaps, that at James
Island. y single shell, exploding in the
midst of Lieut.. Henry's guns, killed one
man and wounded four others Still his
pieces were served most faithfully, his
gallant artillerists standing to their work
till only three were left to man his right
piece The battery Of Lieut. Cuttings,
of the Third regular artillery, was also
badly cut up.
The brigade of General Terry was at
once thrown forward, and in a few mo-
ments from the opening Of the battle, were
actively engaged in assisting General
BranEan's troops. The Third New Hamp-
shire and Serriil's engineers were held in
reserve, and though through the day these
troops were under severe fire, they escaped
almost entirely without injury. The For
ty-seventh Pennsylvania and Fourth New
hampshire, which supported Henry's
guns in the advance, were terribly shat
tered. The former lost one hundred and
forty, aud the latter about fifty. in killed
and wounded.
After the rebels had assumed a second
position, our ammunition had become par
tally exhausted, and our FIRE was in a
measure moderated, but as the enemy in
variably redoubled his Efforts as we slack
ened ours, another advance was made
The rebels resisted stubbornly, but were
again forced back, and took UP a third
position at the iron bridge across the Po-
cotaiigo, half mile this side the village
Here they made another desperate stand
In artillery they were much the stronger,
having not less than twelve pieces playing
upon us, while our own artillery consisted
Of but four Parrott guns and three boat
howitzers from the Wabash, brought up
by the Paul Jones. These pieces were
under the command OF Lieut. Phoenix, of
the flagship, and were III ,st beautifully
servcd The conduct OF the brave tars
who manned them filed our soldiers with
admiration.
The Fourth New Hampshire here made
its mark. BY dashing charge, in which
they were supported 10y the Fifty Fifth
Pennsylvania, they again routed the reb-
els, driving them across the bridge The
enemy at once destroyed this structure,
tearing up the planking and pulling down
the trestlc-work, TINS placing it beyond
the possibility OF immediate repair
The fight had lasted from noon till
nearly six o'clock. Slowly but steadily
the rebels had been forced back, until it
was now beyond our power to pursue them
further. The whistiing of locomotives
and the Gathering of trains, bringing to
the station close at hand fresh troops from
Charleston, were distinctly heard Night
was fastening on. Although preparations
were made by the engineers to provide o
crossing, it was determined to leave the
field
To General Terry was given the con-
duet Of the retreat. 1t was made in most
admirable order, each regiment preserving
its line, and covering itself with honor as
it retired no less than in the trying ordeal
Of the afternoon.
Generals Bfannan and Terry express
themselves delighted with the conduct of
the troops. They were steady. true and
brave, | know the troops are satisfied