Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-06-12
For the journal.
CAMP or THE 18th REeIMENr, N. 9. T,
Near Richmond. june 5. 1862


MEssRs. ED1roRs Having just read your Journal
of 31st u and leaning from itha You still had very
indefne accounts of the battle near Hanover u H.,
have thought my duty to give publicity through your
columns to few facts that came under my observation
during that vastly UNEQUAL contest with barbarous
yindictive and beadthirsty foe. Our fight with the
enemy having been entirely separate and distinct from
that of the remainder of Gen. Branch's Brigade,
leave to these who were eye witnesses at Lebanon
Church, to give the particulars of that engagement
COL Lane was ordered by Gen. Branch, on the morn
ing of the 9th u to proceed with bis regiment and
one section of Latham's Artillery to Taaterros Mill
situated about four miles from the Brigade camp At
10 a. NJ the regiment moved of in the direction of ii an
over c. Ell and when at the point where the mill ROAD 10
tersects the main road to Richmond, Col Lane made
halt long enough to get information from the cavalry
pickets who were at Dr. Kinney's. These plckets re-
ported the enemy advancing IN unknown force on te
mill road Col Lane, assured OF bis close proxlm
iy TO the Yankees took up the line OF march. changed
direction the right and moved oil to engage the enc
nv at or near tie mill Arriving the creek, the
regiment was halted COL Lane then rode into the ADA
cent woodland TO select position for battle, and while
thus engaged picket arrived from Dr. kinneys and re-
ported the enemy advancing in the direction OF the
main road to cur left and rear UnhesltahDgly
our Colonel faced his regiment about and retraced bis
steps with great vigilance and caution. HE regiment
marched in quick tme and when near the residence OF
DR.. Kinney three Yankees, evidently sentlnels
TO ambuscade mprudently stepped into the road just
10 front or us. AO Lane OrOeT6u his NOuI SudIu
fire. anG Immediately prepared his regiment tor Charge
which it did most gallant style, sweeping the enemy
from his ambush Our brave boys poured volley after
voey into the d6orjerd ranks OF the enemy who gave
way after firing few rounds from their FURNISHED
Springfield RITES The dead and wounded were SreWn
through the tbicke and in DR.. Kinney's yard around
his door and mauy to be in the Dfs. wheat
field, through which the 10Th New York was pressed
and III which it was ngloriousiy routed Here we cap
uIed seventy-hve prisoners and many elegant Spring
/ EE,I 0inn hLlh
topples by members of the regiment. When firing
had ceased, and ali thought handsome victory
had been Obtained the enemy opened upon US with
battery at distance OF 400 yards. Gel. Lane reform
ed the regiment and ordered 1t. Potts, OF the artillery
bring his pieces into position which be did, and
then opened brisk aid deliberate fire the enemy
battery and lines Of 1iantry Here, 10 the face OF
entire brigade cut of from Gen BranchS forces Col.
Lane calamity held his positIon awaiting the advance
OF TIE enemy, VINO outnumbertd him i've to OIe, and
who had now been reinforced bya battery OF artillery
which, with the already sbeiiIng US, commenced
heavy fire of shell and shot Thus for two hours after
the 25th New York had been totally routed, did we
occupy ground, anXousiy awaiting assistance
Finding himself isolated and cut Of from Genl Branch,
almost surrounded by the enemy, and having d. SPARED
OF renorcements, Col Lane cooy and deliberately with
| drew bis Regment-Which, exhausted from hunger and
| exposure and rapid movements tie field, slowly
moved from the scene OF slaughter in the direction OF
| Hanover q. Il. We were pursued by cavalry and
artillery, and many of brave men fell 10y the wayside
and were captured. Capt. Geo B. Johnston, who,
with many OF bis company had oeeD out to observe
| the eDemy's position, could not be recalled and no
doubt has been captured. Major Lowe also cap
! tured Our loss IN action was very light. Our great
loss Cccasionea by the complete exhaustion OF
men, many OF whom fell an easy prey to the cOwardy
foe that hung upon rear, afraid to charge the main
body OF the men who but short time previous tad
scattered his ranks like chsff in a storm
Col. Lane has proved himself qualified 10 lead his
command into action and when overpowered By vast
Odds to lead safely out of danger The recollection
of the 9th of May, should bring no regrets to our
Colonel except it be the unavoidable loss OF men to
whom he could offer assistance and the less OF vic
tory which could have been easily had reinforce
ments been hurried on even from Hanover junction,
to which place he dispatched a courier at the same
time that be sent others to Gen. Branch.
We are now on the line which nearly encircies the
city OF Richmond We were in easy hearing of the
bloody fight of the 3let May ard the 1st inst. This
battle seems to have confused McCeIan's plans, and
Notwithstanding he lost every thing except the major
part of the accused Hessians under him, be claims
victory God grant that bis victories may all be such
as this and that gained by Banks over old Stonewal
which has caused such excitement in Lincolrdom. 1t
is currently rumored here that Shields has gained
victory" over Gen. Jackson--a few more such vict0
rss and independence is ours.
Very respectfully,
D. a. III.