Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-08
Massachusetts, regiment is serving under
him, which it is feared, has suffered IN the
losses which have befallen his brigade.
The 2Ist Mass. at the Battle of Camden.
STEAMER NORTHEASTERN.

| The 2Ist Mass. at the Battle of Camden.
STEAMER NoRTHERNER,
! PAMLICo SOUND, n. c., April 20, 80. {
The 18th of April has again been made
memorable by the battle of Camden, n. c.
The 2lst Massachusetts and the 5lst Penn
sylvania regiments lett Newbern on Thurs
day, the 17th, and were Joined at Roanoke
Island by the Hawkins Zouaves, S9th New
York, and the 9th New Hampshire regiments.
On the morning OF the 18th the force landed
about three miles below Elizabeth City, and
started for Camden, II miles distant. The
day was intensely hot, the sun pouring down
with all the warmth of July but we marsh.
ed on, anxious to perform deeds worthy of so
\ glorious day. We were Joined on the way
by the two New York regiments and the
New Hampshire, who had landed some hours
before us, and had mistaken the route. The
men began to drop by the wayside on account
OF the terrible heat, so that the time the bat.
tie begun not more than one half of our men
were i'll order for action. About one o'clock
cannon shot fell in the woods close to our
right, crushing the trees, and opening
tine Penn. DIST in advance, the 2lst Mass
next in order, with the rest OF the division
behind us. The enemy appeared 10 be in
front, protected from sight by rising ground
aud the smoke of burning houses which they
had hired. willie the edge OF the wood hey ond
the open space in which they were posted,
was filled with their infantry. On receiving
the first shot Gen. Reno ordered the Pennsyl-
vania and Massachusetts regiments to proceed
we might flank them in that direction. He
at the same time ordered the Zouaves and the
other regiments 10 remain in the road aud
draw the attention and fire till we had passed
TAR enough 10 the right to succeed In the ill.,
tended movement. The march through the
wood was a hard One-our men continually
dropping by the way, while the thick brush
and briars presented almost impossible bar.
riers. The shot and shells were falling thick
around us, with but slight effect, as the enemy
did not well know our position in the wood
After marching from one to two miles
We turned in the direction of the enc
| my-lhe list Massachusetts having passed
| by the Penusy Ivaula regiment, they not NOV.
| ing fast enough to satisfy Col. Clark Co.
g, under Lieut. Wheeler, led the advance, fol-
| lowed close by Co. c, Capt. Richardson. AS
| they emerged from the wood, with the rest of
the regiment close behind, the enemy were
found to be very near us, the Zouave regi.
| ment having charged upon them too soon,
| and thus frustrating our well laid plans for
their capture. Though their charge may
| have been daShing one, as their list of
wounded shows, yet they failed to follow it
up, and $50 prevented our success. AT one
time portion of the 5lst Pennsylvania reg
ment we've found by Capt. Bradford of our reg
iment, Co. L, in lie woods, with no one to
lead them. Capt. B. volunteered his services,
and did lead them 10 the verge OF the wood, in
sight of the enemy, and their shots did good
execution.
Col. Clark now ordered the advance of the
list, and Il shower Of balls from our ritiesSell
with telling effect upon their men, as they
turned and fed through the woods to the road,
and thus escaped. Our loss in killed. wound
ed, and missing, is less than one hundred,
about fifteen OF whom fell on the field of bat.
tie, The loss Of our regiment is only one kill
ed, the brave Pickering Of Co. G, and twelve
wounded-fve belonging to Co. q, tour to Co.
G, two to Co. ~, and one to Co. B. The loss
OF the enemy do not know, as they were
seen TO be engaged with wagons in transport
ing their wounded from the battle field.
counted SIX OF their dead on the spot where
our last tire was directed, and We are satisfied
, their loss must have been as much or more
l than our own. Our men now stacked arms
J and made preparations for passing the night
on the wet ground, la rain having commenced
, just IS the Udtte WAS over, tne TallOnS packed
IN the haversack were drawn only, and we
made comfortable meal at about the same
time those who had fallen out on the way be-
gan TO come in.
Large fires were now built, and the prospect
Tor nights rest, after our terrible march
was indeed encouraging. By o'clock nearly
every man who could be spared from guard
duty was asleep, but at o'clock the word
came to march. We were at once to return
TO our boats, seventeen miles distant From
information received by our general he no
doubt deemed it prudent, and we prepared to
obey. Our fires were increased so that they
might continue 10 burn tor hours, the guns
shouldered, and noiseless and silent we left the
battle field OF Camden.
The wounded from our division. such as
could be transported, were sent on ahead,
while the balauce, as well as those OF the enc
my, were lett III house near the field, in
charge OF the surgeon of our regiment, Dr.
Warren. His interview with the enemy the
next morning We are anxious to learn. By 6
the next morning we had reached the river
bank but ] will not attempt to describe that
march. The entire road was ankle deem win
mud, and rain falling portion of the time.
the roadside lined with those who had fallen
out from that portion of the division more in
advance; the well-curbs at each house snr.
rounded with thirsty mortals while portions
OF our men would fall upon the slippery clay,
and rise again from mud bath their apnear-
ance changed in the twinkling OF an eye. Yet
in spite of all, we have once more reached the
deck Of the NOrtherner and are on the way
~ Ne"Defh' W. E.. R.