The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-02


and three times did they charge the enc
mys works, when every private in til.
ranks knew it was impossible to take then
by storm. 1t was the same all along the
line. Our troops would charge until the,
got within few yards Of the works, wher
they were compelled to give way before
the murderous fire of the enemy. AS fal
as the eye could see, our dead were in
heaps upon the ground, the wounded
crawling away and crying for help and
water. 1t was an awful slaughter, and
believe God will punish those who were
responsible for it.
But to return to our own regiment.
Our regiment was ordered into town about
eight o'clock, and spent the night on the
sidewalks In the morning Sunday, we
were ordered to the right, and spent the
day lodging shells, and that night, for the
first time since crossing the river, we got
comfortable quarters. But, at nine O'Clock,
we were ordered to the front, to picket
within 200 yards of the enemy's line, with
five other regiments, to relieve Sykes di-
vision. This commander informed us that
he had lost. 800 men that day Sunday,
while on picket He said it was the hot
test hole he had ever been stuck into. We
could hear the rebels talk very plainly,
and one of our corporals walked into their
lines by mistake and was taken prisoner.
During the night we dug rifle pits for
our videttes, and trenches for the men to
get into, and it was very lucky for the
First that it was done, for at daylight
the enemy's sharpshooters commenced fir
ing, and kept at it all day, at every man
who lifted his head above the surface.
About twelve O'Clock, the enemy common
ced to drive in our whole picket line, by
opening four batteries upon them, and l
am sorry to say they partially succeeded.
The five regiments on our right broke and
ran, but our boys from their rifle
pits played SO lively on the enc
my that they soon fell back. They
then opened on us with their bat
teries, but we took to our holes and kept
low. The batteries kept at work till al
most dark. In the meantime, an aid of
Gen. Towards came out and thanked us
for saving the credit of the division, and
told US to accept his Ghe Generally fearful
thanks. Gen. Sully sent word out to
"give them h, if they tried it again. -
After their batteries ceased playing, the
enemy came out and formed line about
three hundred yards from our position.
The men came to a "ready'' and waited
for them, but for some reason they did not
advance. I think the regiment would have
been a thing Of the past if they had done
it, for all the men had made up their minds
to fight to the last.
We were relieved from picket at 8
O'Clock, and camped on the sidewalk and
at - O'Clock we fell in and started for this
side of the Rappahannock, and arrived at
our old camping-ground at half-past two.
The regiment has won honors, not in
lists of killed and wounded, but in conduct
ing themselves like soldiers. They per-
formed more hard and dangerous duty than
any other regiment that crossed the river
and they did it willingly, and to the salts
faction of every one interested.
On Wednesday afternoon Gen Howard
had the regiment called out. He made
very neat speech to us. He said he had
often heard it remarked by officers in the
army that the Minnesota regiment was the
best volunteer regiment in the United
service, and now he was willing to confess
they were right. He thanked us for say
ing the Division from disgrace. He said
he was sitting and talking with Gen. Sui
ly, when the messenger arrived and inform
ed him that the whole picket line was run
ming in. Sully jumped up and exclaimed,
"You lie, sir the Minnesota First will
never run" Three cheers and o whoop
for Sully-three for Howard, &c.
But have spun my letter to an unrea-
sonable length. could fill many sheets
with incidents Of the battle, but have only
attempted to give you such information as
directly related to the movements of the
Minnesota First. Yours, PRIVATE.
ANOTHER LETTER FROM THE MINNIE
sofa FIRST.
I'VE are permitted to print the following
private letter from a member of the Min
nesota First, to his brother in Hastings.]
OLD CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, !
Dec. Is, 1862.
My DEAR BRoTHET-Your letter was re-
ceived some time before the late battle.
1 expected that would have something
interesting to write about before long, so
have delayed answering it until the pres
ent time. We have had another great
battle. l am sorry to say that we can
not claim a victory-;yet we cannot adj
NIT defeat.
We crossed the river on the 18th inst,
under cover of our batteries, and succeeded
in taking possession of the city. On the
morning of the 18th we established our
advance vidette post just about half mile
beyond the city.
fThoro xr-,c 10 In clyi ;cb;