The Portland daily press., 1862-09-29
Official Report of the Maine Seventh.
III. @. 7TH MAINE Vols, S. DIv., |
near Sharpsburg, Sept. 10, '62. !

Su - 4 nave the AOnOf TO report tnat III tne
action of Champion Pass when the Sd Brigade
was ordered up to support Gen. Brooks, the
Seventh Maine was posted on the left of the
77th New York. Wepassed for some distance
at the doubie-qulck under the fire of two of
the enemies guns with no loss. We lay as
support to Gen. Brooks, on the mountain till
late that night.
When the Division went into action on the
18th inst, was ordered by yourself to take
position on the left of the 20th New York,
and govern my movements by that Regiment.
Hardly had done so when Gen. Smith said
he wished the woods on our left and front oc-
cupied. This being done without opposition,
Capt. Ayers rode up and stated that the enemy
were advancing, and the whole line must for
ward or our batteries were lost. Without
waiting for further orders | advanced the bat
TALON toward the enemy for a quarter of
mile, and as they opened fire upon us we
charged and cleared them from a large corn
field in front, with small loss. Passing beyond
it, saw the 10th New York forming under
severe artillery fire, upon crest to my right.
Seeing hollow which formed a natural shell
ter upon their left l put the regiment there.
There we lay that afternoon under a terrible
fire of shot and shell, our batteries playing
over us, and our skirmshers constantly en-
gagged with those of the enemy,-and lost not
man.
About five O'Clock P. NJ, Col Irwin COM
manding Sd Brigade, ordered me to send a
IN Iislodra nf xxbn
were annoying one of our batteries. Hardly
was the company detached from the Regiment
when Col. Irwin rode along and exclaimed, in
near these words: "That is not enough, sir !;
take your regiment and drive them from those
trees and buildings" 1 asked him to repeat
his order and point out the ground again. He
did so quite emphaticaly. The position was
ordered to take was half mile in front of the
ground of Gen. Brooks Brigade, next on our
left l took the Regiment in front of that
Brigade, in advance Of their skirmishers, form
ed them behind fence, sent out my skirInish-
ers who soon drove the rebel skirmishers in
fine style from the edge of the cornfield and
the hollow lying this side the timber was Or
dered to clear. | ordered the battalion for
ward, and as they opened fire on us from front
and left flank / ordered a charge. With fixed
bayonets the men dashed forward in line with
a cheer, advancing more than quarter of a
mile at the iouble-quick. The body of the
enemy in the orchard to our left being fanked,
broke and run; those directly in front, behind
hay-stacks and out-buildings also broke, and
their colors having fallen we dashed on up the
hill to secnre them, when a rebel Regiment
SUDDENLY rose from behind a stonewall on our
right, poured in voley and at the same time
| saw them doube-quicking round to the left
| to cut off our retreat. Those i'm front seeing
our small numbers, had rallied. Looking back
and seeing no support, to escape being sur
rounded, marched the Regiment by the left
| flank, formed them on crest in the orchard,
poured volley into those who were endeavor-
ing to cut off our retreat. and faced those in
front Here we received a severe fire from
three directions, and the enemy advancing in
force, saw from =" battle flags A battery
opened on us with grape. Here we met with
a heavy loss but were shielded some by the
trees of the orchard. Having disposed of most
of our cartridges we retreated through the or
chard, gave them another volley as they
attempted to follow which drove them back,
and closing up on the colors l marched the
regiment back in grand order to their posi-
tion on the left of the Sd Brigade, where we
lay until sent for the next morning by Gener-
al Smith.
The affair perhaps lasted thirty minutes
The color Sergeant was killed and all the
guard shot but Corporal Ring, who brought
off our flag riddled with balls. Fifteen officers
and 1866 men went into the evenings fight and
the lost was as follows:
Twelve enlisted men known to be killed
sixty enlisted men wounded and brought off
eighteen enlisted men fate still unknown.
Lieutenants Brown and Goodwin, and Sergt.
Major Parsons were killed.
Capt. Jones, ankle, slight; Capt. Cochran,
foot, severe; Capt. Cook, leg, severe; Acting
Adgt Haskell, both legs, dangerously; Lieut.
Shorey, foot, severe; Lieut. Benson, hip
slightly; Lieut.. Emery, abdomen, slightly.
But one officer, Lieut.. Nckerson escaped
untouched in clothes or person, and but very
Der had each three bullets through Their
clothes. The Act. Adjutant and myself both
had our horses shot under u.s.
The troops engaged on the other side were
the 7th Georgia, LIST Texas, End Mississippi
Battalion and fragment of Louisiana Reg.
iment
Their loss find on visiting the field TO be
much heavier than ours.
drove tine enemy from the trees and build
ings Col. Irwin ordered me to clear, but 70.
want of support was unable either to push on
after his line was pierced, or hold the position
that was gained
cannot make exceptions for especial men
ton. Where all behaved SO nobly and obeyet
my orders SO readily, distinction would be in
vdious.
Very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
THOMAS w. HYDE,
Major Commanding 7th Maine Vols.