The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-07-11

on, whose memory of the order directing a
civilian, be he newspaper correspondent or
any other man, to keep in the rear, is sure
in the heat of battle, to be miraculously
keen. The firing on both sides was terrific.
Attempts were made to break through both
our right and left, but both were success
fully repulsed.
RENEWAL OF THE FIGHT.
The fight was shortly renewed again. 1t
was evident that the enemy had been rein
forced. They were holder 10 their demon
strations, and now came rushing from the
woods. Our men were ready to meet them,
and again there was desperate fighting
this time more desperate than before. The
mutual yells of the men as they advanced to
fire upon one another could be heard above
the roar of the artillery. This was the most
exciting and earnest fight of the day. The
cannon let fly grape, shell and canister; the
volleys OF musketry were incessant, and
dashing charges and counter charges were
made with bold impetuosity. No battle
was ever more earnestly fought. Officers
and men acquitted themselves with great
gallantry.
At one time our columns pushed the enc
my from their position, and then the latter
came back with overwhelming force on our
troops. Our men gave way but for mo-
ment. With yell and bound they would
dash again at the enemy. am satisfied
from the recitals of every one that, for deeds
OF personal daring, 10 battle of the present
war can present more numerous or notable
examples | only regret my inability q.
present to make their heroism and names
known to the public.
ARRIVAL OF REINFORCEMENTs
AS mentioned above it was evident that
the enemy had been reinforced. The fresh
ness and vigor OF their lighting showed it,
and the statements OF prisoners confirmed it..
They greatly outnumbered US. Dolly one
course remained to prevent defeat, ana that
was asking for reinforcements. They were
asked for and given. l do not know the
exact order of their coming but before the
days work ended there had come across the
Chickahominy to our aid Generals SIocum's
division, and Generals Palmer, French and
Meagher's brigades, besides two or three
populations of cavalry. The fresh arrivals
gave new impetus to the struggle. The
new men, like those they aided and relieved,
fought with the courage and desperation of
old and well trained troops. General
Meaghers men went into the fight With
coats off and sleeves rolled up, and fought
with the Gerceness of tigers. All of Gen.
Palmer's men wore straw hats. They made
these hats visible in the thickest of the fight.
Their utility as mark as night advanced,
and the air grew darker, I am afraid lost
more than one poor fellow his life. make
signal mention of this brigade, not that they
fought better than any others in the fight,
but because of their conspicuousness on the
field. Duryea's Zouayes, too, were alike
conspicuous on account of their uniforms.
They fought, as did all the regulars under
General Sykes to whose brigade they are
now attached-with undaunted courage.
CLOSE OF THE DAYS WORK.
The sun went down in brightness and
beauty. Its departing rays shed their twi
light hues upon the contest of carnage still
goirg on. It was half past nine O'Clock
when the firing ceased and the days work
of battle was over. We compelled the
enemy to retreat, and held the ground we
were told to hold. The closing firing was
between the enemy and General Smiths d.
vision on our left.
sTAMPEDEs.
| Some of our soldiers, the wearied, reliev.
ed, and stragglers near the house occupied
as General McCall's headquarters, took oc.
casion to get panic stricken twice in the
afternoon, thinking that the enemy were
pressing too close upon them for personal
safety. They went skedaddIing down the
bill leading to Woodbury. Bridge with a ra'
pidity highly complimentary to their power
OF IocomotiOn. For time, in the mad rush
of teansters and civilians, there was a
promise OF second edition of Bull Run. In
the latter stampede they met with mus
keted and bayoneted guard, who gave the
soldiers among the fugitives the alternative
OF return to their regiments or bayonet
thrust. They accepted the former alterna-
tive. 1t will be understood that this panic
was confined to few. Had not vigorous
measures been taken, however, to nip it in
the bud, disastrous results might possibly
have e0sued.
At the me of this panic TIE enemy were
making, seemlu}, ~, tneiT Nnal desperate el-
fort. They repeatedly attempted to force
cur men into the low ground between
the hill and the bridge. They saw what
was to be gained by accomplishing this OBJ
| ject. Before our retreating column could
have crossed that long, narrow bridge, tens
OF thousands must have been slaughtered.
The adjacent marsh is impossible, and to
have attempted il would only have been to
meet another kind of death The enemy,
indeed, almost reached the brow of the bill.
Mad pursuit and destruction OF our men
seemed Imminent. It was at this time
General Meagber's brigade came to the res
cue. This addition to our forces caused
the enemy to fall back. The tide in the at
fair OF the day was changed. The day was
ours thenceforth.