The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-06-13
GENERAL IMTEaaIGENGE.

prospects. Col. Dwight told him that no
should stay there, and that he must rely on
Gen. Hooker's saving him by clearing his
left. To the Adjutant, who was going Mt
this moment to inform the brigade command.
er of the condition Of things, the gallant
Major said. "tell Col. Taylor we will oil die
here or hold the position" :.
Col. Dwight was before this time himself
wounded in the thigh. LieutCol. Farnum
had gone from tho field wounded In both
thighs. Captain 0'Reilly had died gallant.
ly carly in the action. Captain Brunn had
died fighting with extraordinary resolution,
and many other officers were wounded.
Capt. Bugbee. than whom more heroic
soldier never brrathcd, now ,ame to Colonel
Dwight and informed him OF the small guam
tity Of ammunition yet remaining of the in
creasing numbers OF the rebels. and spoke,
also, Of the frequency with which the rebel
regiments were relieved. Col. Dwight ac-
knowledged the facts, and Captain Bugbee
went to his post, well knowing that there he
must die, and ut that post he met his fate
nobly.
At this time every officer seemed hero,
but distinguished for their dauntless bearing
were Captains Price aud Bugbee. Lieutenants
Zeigler, Miller, Howe. Nelson, llayner, Lev.
lex and Stevens. And manga tale OF gal.
lantry could be told Of the non.commission.
ed, from resolu,e sergeant who fought nobly
TO the private who went for the rebel flag,
and died with his hand on it; and the regi.
mental blacksmith, who fought as IL made
of iron, and came out Of the fire rs unharm-
cd as his own forge.
During this unequal contest, Col. Dwight
endeayored, and, with temporary success, to
check the enemy's fire. lie ordered twenty
men from each company to spring from their
position, and the regiment to cheer and shout
loudly, directing the men who sprang up to
halt and lie down after advancing few pa.
ces. Immediately the rebel line wayercd and
their FIRE ceased, and the regiment had q
short relief from their unceasng and deadly
yolleys. This lasted only for few moments,
when 1t was resumed. The shout and ad-
vance answered its purpose, however, which
was to gain time. and il was long before the
rebels regained the whole Of their lost ground
and so sorely pressed the devoted regiment.
Ii is, however, quito an instructive lesson OF
the significance of Yankee cheers to the reb-
el mind, even when it is intoxicated by mp.
parent superiority. The ammunition of his
men was exhausted. "Take what ammuni-
ton YOU can from tho dead and wounded
then fix your bayonets and lie down." was
the order. This was done. At last, and
Just about ut the moment when the REIN
iorccments arrived, an order came from tho
brigade commander to retreat. Col. Dwight
rs he turned his head, saw that the line,
which had been NO long maintained by con-
slant personal presence and the devotion OF
his officers and men, had received tho order
from another messenger from the brigade
commander, and that the right Of his line
was retrcating. lie saw, too. that some Of
his men, under the order to retreat, had
turned their backs to the enemy. Fearing
panic and disorderly retreat, he sprang up
and said, STALL back slowly, with your faces
to the enemy, in good ORDER" lie had hard
ly spoken when two balls struck him; one
cut his forehead. the other wounded his
groin severely. lie fell, stunned and blinded
by the flow Of blood from his head. The
First Excelsior regiment withdrew under q
CALLING fire. The regiment, 1t is said, with
drew. But how In the morning, through
a long and muddy road, it had toiled, eight
hundred men. towards the scene Of its trial
and glory For two long hours 1t had held
many fold its numbers in check. In the ey-
ening 1t moved out from the enemy's fire with
empty cartridge boxes and fixed bayonets,
numbering less than four hundred effective
men. Two Of its field officers and twenty Of
its company officers had fallen. AS this brok-
en- but unconquered band marches by Gen.
IIeintzelman to the rear, the General and his
staff uncovered their heads, and he babe his
command give nine cheers for the First Ex.
celsior regiment. Soldiers" said General
Heintzelman, "when you took the name Of
the first Excelsior regiment you had done
nothing to deserve Ii now you have won
it," A brave soldiers recognition Of BRAY
cry. The rebel pursuit swept over Colonel
Dwight, who was left for dead. When he
was again conscious he was in rebel hands,
So were many Of the wounded Of his regi-
mont and Of Gen. lockers division. All
thus captured were taken TO the rebel hos.
pital ut Williamsburg, and, rs far rs possible
their wounds kindly cared for by rebel sur
geons. Next morning, rs the rebels were
leaving Williamsburg. the surgeon said to
Colonel Dwight :-"Your wounds will suf-
fer from the removal, but you must 60 with
us unless you give your parole; the ambu-
lance is ut the door" "ln that case give
you my rarole," was the answer. lilo was
left with the other wounded, and in short
time received cordial greeting from ono OF
Gen. Heintzclman's staff. The General also
visited him Immediately, and General Nc
Clclan himself soon came to him. and, TAX
ing him by the hand said = Colonel, ]
thank you and your regiment for your gal
liant and heroic conduct"
There is nothing TO add TO this story, save
the statement that Col. Dwight's wounds are
now doing well under the care Of friends at
Washington.
It may be Justly claimed for Col. Dwight
aud the fret Excelsior regiment, which be
commanded, that they, "did most signal ser
vice in az hard battle Us was ever known
in this country at least" "More So" says
a brave general who commanded u brigade
on that occasion, and who We have already
quoted, ethan perhaps will ever be known
except by those who participated in that Sc
we're BATTLE"
Composed of companies from Mass,chus
sets. New York. New Jersey, Pennsylvania
and Michigan, the first Excelsior regiment,
belongs to The country and its fame is theirs.
This simple record Of their trial and of their
conduct Is, perhaps, worthy to be known and
to be remembered.