The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-07-23

fridge. Saturday all was quiet and still;
the roar Of cannon and rattle of musket-
~ had died away.
I went to tho hospital but what sight
met my eycsl Tho wounded and dying
were there, torn and lascerated and man
gled. l noticed one poor fellow, while
bleeding HIMSELF trying to wipe the tenn
pies of bis dying brother. Another calls
10 me, 80, sir, will you write two letters
for me?" l wrote for him, 70 his father
and brother, expressing the hope that he
would DO permitted TO return homo to get
well. Poor fellow his home is the gravel
Another, who lost an arm, was quite in
good spirits, and described with briskness
and energy his share in the battle. An
other an Irishman, was wounded in the
temple, by musket ball, and, strange rs
it may seem, instead of penetrating it nc
tually fattened against the skull! Iwo'd
not believe it until 1 handled the ball.
That night we had orders to hold our
selves in readiness TO move. All night
the noise Of heavy wagon-trains was heard
in the rear, before we departed. We left
several regiments and strong artillery
forco to cover our retreat. have no
time, and | am incompetent to describe
to you our retreat, commencing on Sun
day, until Thursday, when we arrived at
Harrison's Point, on James River. The
retreat Of large army. in the face Of an
enemy of superior force, is always
difficult and dangerous task. But our
retreat was managed well. Our army and
artillery teams were immense. The reb-
els pursued in great forcc. But l have
no doubt that we killed of them more
than they did of us. At one place we
came in our march TO ridge Of COM
handing heights, where we planted i'm
mense batteries Of artillery, and, as the
rebels pursued, they had to cross at an i'm
mcnso slough, where we had torn up the
bridge, and we poured upon them one in
cessant stream Of shells and balls which
they returned. 1t seemed as if hell it.
self was opened and emitted sheets Of
smoke and flame. l never heard any
thing 10 be compared to such n fearful
cannonade. We drove the rebels back,
and it is said that their dead lay piled in
heaps. One of their balls fell within ten
feet of me and spattered me with mud.
After that, which was Tuesday, their pur-
suit was continued with less vigor, and
we were then so near our gunboats, on
James River, that their shells combined
with ours towards the discontinue of the
enemy.
Doubtless our loss, in army stores
burned up, cannon left behind, sick,
wounded and prisoners, who have fallen
into their hands, must be immense. Still
our retreat was wise. We are on the
James River Our communications are
protected by our gunboats. The place is
moro healthy for our troops. But why
our army, especially after the fall of Nor
folk, did not make this River the base of
operations, without being compelled TO
fall back upon it, l can not tell.
Although, on our retreat, 1 lived upon
crackers and cold water, and slept with
the sky for n canopy, yet l am well. This
part of Virginia is far moro beautiful and
better cultivated than the Chickahominy
country. Except we get large reinforce
ments we can not enter Richmond for
long time.
The express box has not come to hand.
| hear it is in Fortress Monroe, but when
| shall get it can not tell, but hope
soon. Love to everybody, and with
prayers and best wishes for church and
society, Sabbath-school, superintendent
and teachers, and with love to brothers
Taplin and Van der Venc, l am
J. ANDERSON.