Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-08-04

HEADQUARTERS 4TH TExAs hltihkHr'
Camp near Richmond Va,
Angus! lst 1862.
Dear --, have not bad, or rather have not
taken the opportunity to write you any Of the details OF
the late battles.
few days before they commenced our Division,
consisting fGsn. Writings Brigade, Gen. Hoods Texas
Brigade, Hampton Legion Infantry aud Reieys Bat
terry Was ordered to Ssunton, for the ostensbe pur
pose of assisting Jackson in the Valley but in two
days We were started straight back down towards the
great army Of Mcclellan We arrived 1T Ashland on
the evening of the 10Th June. The next morning We
started early bearing towards the rear aud right TANK
of the snemys lines. About IL o'clock our advance
scouts drove in cavalry pickes Moving on ABOUT
O'Clock, we encountered small force who soon nsd,
and burnt bridge small creek with deep Danks
sufficient TO retard the movements OF artillery Que
company from Regiment, the b Texas, was DETAIL
ed 10 construct bridge, while the Infantry waded the
creek and occupied the heights beyond 10 less than al
hour good bridge, made Of fence,rais was finished
the road cleared out and artillery came laundering
over All this time We could hear the severe and heavy
lighting going on at hechanicsyle The great
battle or rather the series of great battles, had fairly
| opened About dark We formed junction with General
Ewel There sharp diminishing 10 trout OF US long
after dark We lay in line Of battle and slept on
arms, knowing that the next day ourselves would
try the fiery ordeal OF bltte Yet all cheerful
aud Dent aud no one spoke thought Of any
thing but victory. We slept soundly, for were IA.
tgued the last sound falling upon our ear being the
boom Of . dsaut cannon; but it was the last living
sleep many brave fellow ever enjoyed. We were on
the move early next morning The fighting was still
g,iug on to our right. The enemy had it seems
ated heehancsve during the night, and the two Hills
aud Iongstrset pressing upon bis retreating CO.
umus We met during the morning, hundreds OF pri.
ouers who appeared glad that their fighting Was over.
CAMPS deserted aud stores abandoned showed the hasy
aud precipilate movement Of the enemy We were told
that the Hills aud Longstreet driving him down the
Ohickahomny. Slowly We marched during the morning
towards the firing. The enemy had been retreatng al
| the morning. but, about IL or O'Clock, he suddenly
halted turned about aud .hsred battle Here il Was
discovered that he had taken up we'll protected and
admirably chosen position, which seemed to be fixed,
ready in waiting for him. Powerful batteries, in
handing positions supported by upwards Of 45 900 in
iautry. who we're splenddly protected by ingenious
preastsorLs, here frouned down on the advancing CO.
unns Of the Oonfederale and then opened of the
6erces and bloodiest battles reeordtha Of Ganes
Mil or Gaines Farm. he Lad been falling back all day
to occupy THE position calculating to defeat here aid
| he next morning thro. his left into Richmond.
Abou2 O'Clock We could hear the OF artillery and
atle of musketry--ircessAnt, fierce and continuous
Oar faces we're set in the direction Of the firing As we
approached nearer the storm Of battle was borne to our
s,r. with terrible distinctness. We moved on. Closer
and closer We came to the dreadful acene Of strife.
Nov We are in range of their artillery, though they do
not see us Shells bursting above. around before and
behind u. scattering their blazing fragments and sui
phurou, contents, remind that in the tide OF
battle Moving slowly along, now well within range Of
the batteries poor fellows head is smashed right by
me- and his brains scattered his comrades him.
We move on 10 run, over bitches aud Marshes sWanps
aud noes through open fields and thick woods up and
down hil-doube qlickiug-o the field Of carnage the
harvest OF death Courier after courier arrives urging
u, to hurry-our forces hard pressed. Gen. Lee
| meets u, and huIries en-, If the fate Of mankind
depended upon our coming. We get IN striking distance
OF toe bule,s-are arranged iu the order 10 60
into battle la the meantime the tJmpes! Of the strife
seemed TO have been pouring out is utmost fury The
loud crashing sound Of artillery, the peculiar roll Of
kerry, mingled with half drowned words OF command,
or the ores OF pain Of sounded soldier borne by
on a bloody litter filed the air with their terrific
| scUuds
Gen. Hooi aud Col Marshall conduct our Regiment :
OIL we 70 ia a run-the fight lh.ckens-the noise deaf
sIs--on We so over deep branch, meeting regiments
aud thousands OF frightened sITagslers leaving the fst
some Of them exclaimed as they passed us 81 Wish
! you'd lake tia GaueJ." never dIeauei Of such
lus'On; our ranks broken tune AMI again by tue
d,erg Contedera5s really the tide OF battle seemed To
have leon rushing Gad against us Mcu deserted their
c,lors, Colonies lost their commands aud Coo only
knows hoS far "A we're rout aud panic.
Suddenly va (4.h Texas RegimenD faced to the
font advanced il Il run up the Lin, aud reacl
"a the brow we're welcomed -ith storm Of gnpaand
canister from The opposite hill side wi lie the two lines
Of infantry prOtsc'ed by their ~Oks aud posted on the
side of the hill upon the top Of which Was placed their
battery poured deadly ard staggering yoleys foil in our
faces Here foil Colonel, JOha Marshall, and with
him. yearly half OF his regiment On the brow OF this
hill hs dead bodies q Coz federae soldiers lay IN
numbers They Who had gone 10 at this point before
ADD bad Leeu epulssl stopped this bill to he, AID
rs moved DO Nh like grass aud compelled 10 retire.
WAS nov past O'Clock. When got 10 The brow oi
his hill instead Of haGng rushed down it, yelling,
mady plugged right iutO the deep branch OF water
the base oi the hill. pashiug up tho steep bank. b.
x within thirty yards VI the euemy's works, We h-u
D.ArLs the breast~OrLs cleared them, and slaughtered
the reIreang devils they scsmpered up the bill to-
wards their battery. TLeie brave fellow on horse
back with bis bat bis sword, ued To rally them. but
q scarcely had time, ii they had boon SO disf osec
Tor eaping the work, d4Shed up the hill, diving
them before aud capturing the battery Thus the Ines
OF the enemy pierced and broken, aud from that
moment commenced the victory with which cur am 8
wsce blessed. Ai.we came down the first hill, Lieut.
C1l Warriek picked up Confederate dag which son .
regiment had abandoned aud fell with mortal wound
heaR ia hand he supposed il was our own but right