The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1862-07-15
From Company 4. 9Th VI. RE
CAMP sKAR JAxIs EfvAR,

.Hcssrf. EdifoTs II is with q heaEs hear
that am writing to you. Dur e8a44y, q
which We were all SO proud. sse. sun.
day last. the 29th was fearful Day for us
as the list Of killed. wounded and missing
which seHd you will testify Iknow with
what anxiety and terrible suspense our
friends Al home are awaiting iijinss from US,
and shOnld have prepared this list sooner,
il it had not been utterly impossible for me
10 dose. Reconneisances. skirmishes. march
-, and other imperative duties have Jeff me
no opportunity TO do so until io-day-one
week since the fight.
+ In the movement of the right OF our army
towards the james River il became The duty
Of our Corps Armee, consisting Of smith 8
I and Slocum's Divisions to cover the rear
We left our old camp" before Richmond !"
! on Saturday the 18th, and the next night
about 4 O'Clock, passed Sayage's Station. on
the Richmond and Yor. River Road. In
the early part Of the day. our company was
sent out as skirmishers TO d~Syer the
whereabouts Of the enemy, whxwcre sp-
posed 10 be following Us closely. II wa IN
the performance Of this duty that We lost
Mandus Hill We discovered body Of
men in the distance but we're uncertain al
the time to which side they belonged. Hill
very foolishy. and without the knowledge
or consent Of bis officers, went over to them
supposing them Of course to be our men,
We did not think il safe, situated as we we're.
two miles from any support, TO attempt bis
rescue.
At O'Clock we we're nearly three miles
beyond Savage's Station, when rapid firing
was heard in that direction and our brigade
had orders TO "about face When We
reached the station the engagement was al
ready going on. but the firing al seemed to
be in the woods. will not attempt 10 give
you q correct description of the battle, the
position Of our forces, or any Of the more
important movements which we're made. |
had other thihgs to think Of The almost
naddening excitement, the whistliug Of the
bullets aud the rush Of the grape and cam
mister is all that can remember. as our
gallant boys charged bayoneis nearly up to
the enemy with a yell that still rings in nv
ears We halted within short musket range
of the Rebels, and piled our Northern lead
into them for nearly an hour When the
order was given to cease firing we had ST.
fenced the FIRE Of three times our number
they had broken and fed aud the 5th YER
mont held the field
But at what a sacrifice TO us The field 1
where we stood was black with the dead aud |
wounded We had Teen exposed nearly al /
the time to a murderous fire from three d. /
rections. and 1t told fearfully 10 our ranks.
Our company suffered more severely than |
any other AZ We were in exact range OF a |
gun that was pouring grape and canister
through Us, cutting cur men down like grass.
Il was dark when we stopped fring--no time
to look after orr suffering boys Tired a.
we were, the little band that Was left had to
start on the march again Immediately, and
never halted till the next morning at three
o'clock. II was necessary for the safety Of
US all. for the enemy we're close upon eur
heels. DR.. Russell was ordered to stay with
the wounded and Dyer Matteson did so vol
unfairly, 30 their friends can rest assured
hat they win be well cared for although they
may be prisoners 0uing to the darkness,
he smallness OF cur numbers, and he ne
,essity for haste, We we're unable 10 learn
definitely concerning all the members II our
,onpany. These whom | have reported
IS missing are probably prisoners and per
iaps wounded.
Corp. GoIdthwais, Priyates Burton, Ben
an, A. II. Baker, Leonard, Norcross and
wilkins although wonnded marched With US
0 The River. end IL yoa ever learn the terri
lie hsrdships which We endured, you will
Wonder At their pluck" They, together
Nth Lieut. PECK have gone TO Fortress Mon.
ee and perhaps ere this may be a. home
nth their frisads. Frank LAckey Is With
he company slightly sounded. Capt. Dud
~ has gone 10 Fortress Monroe quite IN Z
rell. The Doetsr feared be might be ssFi- I
usly siek unless be eoald have proper care !
an ID command Of ell that IL left Of Co. z
!. pressnt Ct for duty--ssvsn men! an
oping that eur men sick In the Hospitals
Ill join rs soon. for although our little band !
nj sry 70 kesp 10 gced spirits, can you
lame as II 1t Zines ne Dc feel listle dis
outraged We hsps thai All these strategic .
viii happen for tbs best. We !
re willing 10 believe that they are necessary
bat our Flag nay wsye the ss0aer over .
Iiehmsnd; bua ws siBesrsiy pray that ever
@safter We may escape the hardships ef
As - Rear GuArl."
Do you Ask me who Of ear boys pArtica- 4
1Fly distinguished themsslsesl cannot az 9
yer where I'll were heroes. Net . man Z
iRched from ths storn Of iron hail. With {
.es pAle. but teeth set, al Tsnsnh<red 3
ssif daty 10 The old Gag thas waved ever 9
BEN -asd did T. Doesn't thar list prove I
y b
The less ID psE Fsgimeat mas eser two Z
updrsd- Our eompAny wsat hto tbs hgkt 9
ID % men including oGheerx- Thirteen 2
Aue cut urharred q
We have deus orr du-y. ard III &c & '
-sin. @ IN
s.RB