The Placer herald., 1863-06-06
NUMBER 40.

The camps We're plunged into disorder. As the
shells dropped here and there among the tents
and teams, the widest and most fearful deeds
were enacted. Here, caisson blew up tearing
the horses to pieces, and whirling cannonier
among the clouds there, the ammunition wagon
exploded, and the air seemed to be filed with
fragments of wood, iron, and flesh. boy stood
at one OF the fires combing out his matted hair;
suddenly his head flew off. scattering the brains
and the SHE'LL which could not see, exploded in
piece of wood. mutilatng the trees. The effect
upon the people around me was instantaneous
add appalling. Some that were partially dressed
took to their heels, hugging medley of clothing.
The teamsters climbed into the saddles, and shout
ed to their nags, whipping them the while II
the heavy wheels hesitated to revolvc. they lett
their horses and vehicles to their tates. tlking
themselves to the woods, or. in some cases. cut
traces and harness, galloping away like mu-men
In twlnkllng, our camps were almost deserted
and the fields, woods, and roads We're alive with
tugitives, pushing, swearing. falling, and tramp
ling, while the ii rec bolts fell momcntarly among
them. making havoc at every rod.
To join this flying dying mass. was my first
impulse; but atter-thought reminded that it would
be better to remain. | must not leave my horse,
for could not walk the whole long way to the
James, and the swamp fever had reduced me,
that hardly cared to keep the little life remain
ing. l almost marvellcd at my GOODNESS since,
in the iuness of health might have been one OF
the fugtives; whereas now looked intercstedIy
upon the excited spectacle and wished that It
could be daguerreoyped. Before our artillery
could be brought to play. the enemy. emboldened
ut his success, pushed a column of infantry down
the hill, to cross the creek, and engage us on our
camping ground. For time. believed that he
would be successful; and in the event confusion
and ruin would have ovcrtlken the Unionists
The gray aEd butter-nut lines appeared over a
brow OF the hill; they wound double-quick
through the narrow dete they poured II volley
N n nnr x,l Ia,
cover of the smoke they dashed forward mpetu-
ously with loud huzza. The artillery beyond
them kept up II steady fire, raining she'll grape
and canister over their heads. and ploughing
the ground on our side into zgzag burrows. rend-
ing the trees, scattering nmbullnccs, tearing the
tents to tatters, Staying the horses. butchering
the men. Directly, captain named Mott
brought his battery to bear, but before he could
open lire, a solid shot struck OF his twelve
FOUNDERS, breaking the trunnon and splinterng
the iees, In like manner, one OF his cassons
blew up. and do not think that he was able to
make any practice whatever. A division of in
iantry was now marched forward TO engage the
Conlederates at the creck-side, but two of the reg
iments turned bodily, aud could not be rallied
The moment was full of Significance and be-
held these failures with breathless suspense. In
live minutes, the pursuers would gain the creek
and in ten drive our dsmI yed blttalions like chaH
before the wind
hurried to my horse that might be ready to
escape; the she'll and ball still made music around
me; buckled up my saddle with remulous fin
gers, and put my foot upon the stirrup, But
cheer recalled me, and great capping of hands,
as at some clever performance in the amphithea
tre looked again battery had opened fire
from our position across the road upon the Con
icderlte infantry, as they reached the very brink
of the swamp. For a moment, the bayonets toss
ed wildly, the dense column staggered like a
drunken man, the flags rose and fell, and then
the line moved back disorderly y-the pass had been
defended.