The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-09
ON the L.n.

1911 AVA SotAC ttsdSs tAONSn
brave fellows, who were exceedingly well
posted, gave them several very destructive
veleys, which caused them To recoil with
shattered columns up over the hill, down
which they had advanced A brilliant epi-
sode occurred on the left of Martindale's
Brigade, where the 18th New York, and
the fire proof and SCARED veterans of the 81
Maine were posted. A brigade of Alabam-
ians, moved up over the crest of hill in
splendid style; ever steady and resomte, wieh
arms at right shoulder shift, ready for
charge. "Up and at them,n was the word
along our Ene, aud the two regiments which
had lain concealed in the low growth if tim
Der in the valley, sprang TO their feet, and
one piercing, terrible volley of death-deafng
minnes was poured into the ranks of the
confident enemy.
The grey coats fed ia terror and dsmay,
disc1arging only n few random shots. The
range was SO close that the whites of the eyes
of the rebels could almost be distinguished.
The hill was cleared as though swept by u
hurricane. One of the regiments left their
colors and battle flag upon the field. The
regimental color WAS secured by Col Roberts
of the I'd Maine and the battle flag by Capt.
Sullivan of the 18th New York, who followed
the refreshing enemy and secured it. Capt.
Sullivan found the field literally covered with
the rebel dead, there being over eighty near
the spot where the colors fell.
Butterfieid's Brigade.
The gallant men Of the famous Light Bri-
gade, as already stated, had the important po-
sition of the extreme left of our line Their
right rested near the New Bridge road, and
their left extended into the woods, joining
Martindale's right They were somewhat
sheltered by ditch fence and when in posi-
tion looked up the hill through an open field,
on The top of which the enemy took position.
/ They formed in line OF battle, the 44th New
/ FORK supported by the 10th Michigan, and
the 831 Pennsylvania by the 18th New York.
! The 18th New York, of this brigate, as noted
elsewhere, had been sent on special duty to
another point Aliens Massachusetts battery
took up position on the right of the brigade
ard battered the enemy fercely
I NJ Three O'Clock,
| The action had become general along the
whole lne. Stonewall Jacksons column had
| formed junction wi, Lee and soon attacked
our right with great vigor and pertinacty, but
/ he met Calling fire from Edwards, Martins
aud Weedins batteries, which sent him reel
/ ing hack in disorder. Again he gathered his
/ columns, supported them by fresh troops, again
| advanced, extending his lines rs if 10 flank
our right, and renewed the attack with greater
| ferocity than ever, 80 be again repulsed with
terrible slaughter. Sykes Regulars and War
rens brigade, in which are the Duryea Zou.
aves, end Bendix's 10th New York regiment
played brilliant part in this portion of the
engagement, the Zouaves especially fighting
with desperation and tenacity only to be ex.
pected from such superior men. They suf
fered largely, their peculiar uniform being
the especial mark of ten thousand rebe
soldiers.
The Flank Movement
OF the enemy against our right did not +uc
ceed. We extended our line at the same time
ami when jackson was repulsed the thirC
time, be withdrew from that part of the felC
and did not renew the attempt.
On the Center.
The tactics Of the enemy were soon appar
ent. It was in massing troops and maxim.
sudden onslaughts on this and then on tina
portion of our columns by which he expected
to break tbeu somewhere, and defeat if no
rout us. His next movement was against ou
center. Part Of Jackson's column, rein force,
by a large body from Hills division, now mad
a desperate onset agaiHst the center, the Nortl
Carolina regiments being placed in front, ant
literally compelled to fight. Here the confic
was long and bloody, and ragged for nearl
two hours with great violence. The column
surged backward and forward, first one yield
ing, and then the other. An idea of the grea
magnitude of this portion of the fight may b
obtained, when | say that this part of the lin
was successively reinforced by McCall's re
serves, the brigades of Gems. Newton, Col
Bartlett ard Col. Taylor, of Slocun's division
and it was not until the last fresh brigade wa
hurled against them that they were beate
back. In this part of the engagement we too
about fifty prisoners who said that in just ths
part of the engagement the entire force @
LongstTeets and Hills divisions, and part c
Jackson's columns participated. Probably tn
most desperate fighting of the day took plac
upon this part Of our lines and at this time
Here it was that we suffered our heavie:
losses, and the field presented most sangu
nary hue.
The fighting was principally done by mus
| kerry, a thick pine woods intervening be
tween our batteries and the enemy PR
venting the former from getting the rang
ofthe latter. Many of our regiments suffere
here to the extent of one-third of their men
, But nearly all of them stood their ground wit
, frmness, behaving most gallantly. Particu
, lariv was this the case with The Ninth Massa
, chusetts, the Fourth Michigan, the Fourteent
New York, Grifin's brigade; the Ninety Fift
Z Pennsylvania, of Gen. Newton's Brigade; an
the Sixteenth New York, Of Col. Bartlett
Brigade. The Sixty-secoRd Pennsylvania,
Griffins Brigade, met an overwhelming fort
: of the enemy, who took them on the fan
J and, after desperate resistance, they su
ceeded in repulsing the regiment killing th
| Colonel Samuel W. Black, and woundin
r Lieutenant Colonel Sweitzer. The regimen
t broke and retreated, and was the first one
come off the field in disorder, the men frigh
/ ened and panic-strieken at the death of the
t beloved Colonel. The regiment was not r
: formed.
g Moving ON the Left.
: Finding he could not force our center, Il
/ enemy gradually threw his columns against O.
/ left. pressing Martindale's right wing vel
t hard. where he met gallant resistance fro
e the Twenty second Massachusetts, and SeeoE
q Maine regiments, as brave veterans as ev
! shouldered musket.
A Fierce Attack.
! Suddenly the everlasting roar of musket
4 increased in volume toward the extreme le
! and the conflict seemed to grow fercer tn