The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-11-20
CORRESPONDENCE.
QuANrrnnA.rEn,s Drp'r, sru Mr. Rno'r. !

Camp in the Field, Va, Nov. 10, 1868. :
FRIEND Boiler - Knowing that your yalu-
able paper has wide circulation among the
friends Of the old 9Th, thought short his
tory of the recent battle would not be uninter-
esting, as this regiment took very conspicu-
Gus part in the fight. will state the facts as
they were told me by those who have the means
OF knowing. and who do not belong to the reg
iment; therefore consider them reliable and
impartial.
The 9Th had been stationed several days Mt
Warrenton AMI had their camps built, SO rs to
be very comfortable, the most Of them having
mud fire. places, such a. none but soldier
knows how 10 build. But we were not allowed
to enjoy this long. On the morning of the 7th
we got orders 10 move The regiment in CON-
pany with the corps, going towards Rappahan-
mock Station, ON the Orange and Alexandra
Railroad, and the baggage train going on n
road leading To Bealton's Station, about six
miles from the former. The troops, after
marching fifteen miles came up to the enemy
strongly entr, nchcd ON high ridge OF land
on the banks of the river. After skirInlshlng
with the enemy for few hours the 9th Maine
and 5th Wisconsin charged on the works and
took them; but being largely out.numbered,
they were obliged TO retire. They fought des-
perately, rs the loss of the 9th will show, and
II was in this charge that the 9th captured
seven guns and several stands of colors. Their
loss was very heavy-thirty-seve killed and
over one hundred wounded, which am in
formed was nearly one half of the entire regi-
ment. The Wisconsin boys did their part no
bly,, but did not learn the extent OF their loss.
About 3 o'clock p. NJ, the 9Th Maine and
i2ist N. Y. Vols were ordered forward in line
of battle over large level plain, all the while
exposed 10 the fire OF the enemy's guns, and up
TO within 500 yards Of the rifle pits-the enemy
making but little demonstration upon them,
except an occasional shot or shell.
Here they were directed to lie down at q
point where the crest of small elevation Of
ground offered them little protection, which
position they held until nearly O'Clock L. NJ,
when they received orders to move forward
The line OF battle was the 9Th Me. Vols. on the
right, l2lst n. \. on the left-the line consist
ing of about $50 muskets.
Under the cover of the darkness of the night
they approached To within % yards OF the
enemy in his pits, when Col Edwards gave the
order TO charge. At that moment they received
a terrific volley from the enemy's infantry, and
at the next our boys were into the rifle pits,
sweeping everything before them.
The entertainments in our immediate front
were occupied by more than doublc the men
than our front presented, but so sudden and
unexpected was the movement upon them, that
they seemed paralyzed. Our boys succeeded
in capturing nearly the entire force in the pits.
During The entire charge our men did not fire
a muskei, carrying everything at the point OF
the bayonet. The following are the captures
made by the old 5th alone: 1900 prisoners,
caisson and stands of colors. OF the prison.
ers there were over 100 commissioned officers
including five Colonies, one Lieut.. Colonel and
one Major.
The force of the enemy consisted Of the LIST
La Brigade and n. G.. Brigade-comprising
the 9th, 7th and 5ith Regiments. The LIST La.
Brigade, most of which fell into the hands of
the 9Th was the first command ever assigned to
the late Gen. "Stonewall' Jackson.
The regiment occupied the iortifcationg that
night, advancing 10 near "Brandy Station"
the next day, Sunday and on Monday they
moved about three miles and camped on the
plantation owned by J. Minor Bolts. He has
in Richmond. Every officer and soldier did
his duty nObly, not one of them iinching, but
only eager to prove his bravery and efficiency.
Where all so nobly did their whole duty, il is
difficult to discriminate, but cannot let this
pass without speaking Of our
brave Colonel. He came out here with the reg
iment as Captain of Co. |, and has never missed
being with the regiment in all of the fights
and skirmishes. lie never has been sick day,
NutIClOTC btth Oh uuey INV ySs
has always been fortunate, having never been
wounded. II gives me great pleasure to hear
every one speaking in praise OF his cool and
daring bravery in the last battle rs in all pre-
yious engagements. Lieut.. Col Milett was hit
by piece of shell in the early part Of the en-
gagement, although we hope not seriously hurt.
lie was unable to take part in the engagement.
Major Daggett as usual was in his place and
did his whole duty, while Adit. Bckncll's voice
A.. .l...l. Ia, 4. - h. line
He was wounded ut fredericksburg, May Sd,
and had just returned To- the field. lie showed
us that he had not forgotten how to fight grey
backs.
The colors were taken from the following
regiments, and 10y the officers and men whose
names append Sth La. Rest., by Lieut. Ly-
on, commanding Go. X; 9th n. Z. by private
James Littlcdcld, Co. |; 7th N. G. by Corp. T..
l.. Blandcll. Co. d; 5ith n. q, by Corp, Thco-
dorc Shackfurl Co. A. These colors were sent
to Army Headquarters this L. NJ, under an es-
cort of 20 men from the 9Th Me-, and 80 from
the l2lst N. Y. Regt. under command of Ma
for Dagget. Gen. Meade complimented them
very highly He said il was one of the most
brilliant fcats of the war, and that he had got
many more of the same kind for them to per-
form Every encouracing). The officers and
men are all in high glee over their success, and
are ready to try II over again when call upon.
Our loss was not very heavy considering the
position and the amount Of work done.
-FOUR correspondent here gives full list OF
the casualties. but as We print the same from
the Surgeon OF the regiment, We, Of course,
omit it,
The wounded have all been sent to Washing
ton in charge of DR.. Warren.
WN. ID. HENDERSON,
Or. Mr.. 9Th Me. Regt.