The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-08-29
Army Correspondence.
Baron Rouox, Aug. 9th. 1862.

mandcd by the traitor John " Drcckinriugo'
40 no, propose to 90 into the details, Us it
:. ;uporible, for have not time to do so,
bu, merely to state the part tho 18th Maine
took in tho engagement.
At about o'clock on tho morning Of the
5th the long roll sounded the alarm. In a
few moments all were under arms who were
capable Of bearing them, and fell into line.
The line had but just got formed when
shower Of grape and canister, mixed and
spiced with Minnie balls, paid US compli-
ment. We returned it with yigor. They
then tried to flank us, but we met them with
O counter movement, and they found us there,
I think, to their sorrow, us the dead indica-
ted, but it was impossible for our regiment
to contend single handed against such odds.
We being encamped near the forks of three
roads which lead to the city, and the farthest
camp out, the rebels concentrated their whole
fire on our regiment, and we were Obliged to
fall back and leave the camp, as il was in
defensible under the best Of circumstances,
being surrounded by corn-fclds (Which it
would not do to touch, Us the Union rebels
claimed them) and woods, under cover Of
which the enemy couldapproach unperceived;
hence it could not DO defended without q
great deal Of labor.
The regiment fell back to the line Of the
Indiana and took q position to help them,
but the rebels prcsscdon us with such pow
erful force that We had still farther TO fall
back. 1t was at this time that General Will
liams was shot dead. A new line Of battle
was formed, and the different regiments con-
contracted upon it, when the rebels fell back.
1t is said by tho prisoners taken that they
could not DO rallied against our new line,
consequently they had to fall back or be do
stroycd by our batteries. We remained in
position till late in the afternoon, then ad-
vanccd our pickets and went into camp at
the arsenal grounds.
This Is brief and condensed statement OF
tho part the l4th regiment took in the bat
tie. They fought like tigers, and assure
you that the State may be proud Of her sons
in tho Nth. Con. Williams, not minute
hardly before being shot, made the remark
that "The Maine boys were an honor to the
State-pcrfoct heroes"
Col. Dudley addressed us in ncatspeech.
IIo complimcnted the regiment highly; he
said he had been soldier n great many years
in the regular army, but for GOODNESS, bravery
and undaunted courage, he never saw tho
l4th Maine oScellcd, even among regulars
The regiment gave three times three cheers,
and he left us to hold our position.
BY tho casualties Of the battle Col. Dud-
ley, 30th Mass, became chief Of tho right
wing, and Col. Nickerson of the 18th Maine
chief in command of the loft wing. Lieut..
Col. Porter is in command Of the regiment
at this time, in consequence Of the Colonel
having the command Of the left wing Of the
brigade.
The l4th lost, in killed, wounded and
missing, 100 men. The Colonel had his
horse shot, the Major was shot in tho arm,
Capts. Barnard, Co. A, wounded in the heel,
Mullen, Co. B, in the arm Scott in the head,
LIST Lieut.. Spencer dangerously wounded in
the breast, a musket ball passing through
the lungs. Capt. French, Co. X, was sho.
below the knee by a grape shot, shattcring
and breaking the bone all of. 1t is painful
for me to mako the announcement he was
beloved by his company, and in fact by the
whole regiment. He was wholesouled
man, Just and honorable in all his dealings.
lie suffered his leg to DO amputated the next
morning. was present at the opcration.-
He bore il like saint-his courage was
never better. He left the same day for New
Orleans, all being taken there, as we have
not the accommodation here for them. On
tho passage, the steamer having them on
board came in collision with gunbOat, and,
horrible to say, 20 lives were lost-among
the rest, Capt, French. He had a good body
servant with him, and If it had boon possible
no would have saved him, as no loved the
Captain "a he did his own life. 1t was
hard fate, but he was prepared for his end,
for no was On every day christian, always
ready, and his courage knew no bounds
Tho remaining company officers, and the
company that he commanded, sympathizc
with his friends in their afIliction, trusting
that their loss is his eternal gain. He is
worthy Of better tribute. but leave it for
Others moro capable. Ills body has not been
recovered, that know Of.
We lost Scrg. Isaiah Pinkham Of North
Berwick, missing.
Scrg. A. j. Hobbs Of Wells, killed.
Corp. Charles Thompson Of Kennebunk,
missing.
Edward Murray, New Orleans, killed.
Michael Kelley, killed.
Geo. +. W. Tibbetts, Berwick, missing.
b. g. Patch, Shaplcigh, missing.
Julian yelandt, Now Orleans, missing.
R.H.-,(probably II. Ii. Millcr-Ep.)
missing.
Corp. John II. Clements, Berwick, wound.
cd in tho leg, badly.
Winfield Scott Pray, Shaplcish, badly