Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-05-28


dayike lustre the smoke enveoped earth, the hfpg
recommended and lasted until midnight peal alter peal
followed by tremendous rolls flor they did not only rat
tle it was constant, almost deafening roh OF rifles
and musketry approaching nearer and nearer told Us
that cur brave boys were gaining ground steadily
The excitement intense and our men, losing all
OF danger perched on trees crowded on the breast
works. and every height that commanded view of the
scene, listened in almost suspense to the most
terrible field cannouading of the war This state of
things could not last long finally officer mounted on
a splendid charger came dashipg along our line pro-
claiming the joyful tidiDgs that "Stonewa Jackson was
in Hookers rear pressing him severely" ibis gave
vent to their pent up feelings and IN loud thrilling pro-
onged cheers they cent word the Yankees that
THEY knew tie state OF Lhars and s0rIed In their mise
~ About midnight everything became quiet aud our
men though weary and hungry, reluctantly rolled 10
their blankets for the night Skrmishers from the 5lst
Georgia relieved ours who had been lighting all that
day and night. Early next morning, May 3rd, again
sent out skrmishers from the 10th, TOUR les
commanded by Captain Kibber, almost beardess
yon,b) They afterwards reinforced by Co. *"
making FIVE in all. We lost one officer and three of
men slightly wounded in the affair Of the 2ud -
To-day, the Bird, to be the grand day. Our pick
cts advanced, the remaining five companies OF our
regiment forwarded as support TO them tie batteries
OPP ned, the firing the her side recommended ard
thus began day glorious in the annals of Southern in
dependence. The fighting this mornng terrific,
and though pressed hard the right in the and
In 'front.' the enemy stubborny contested every inch of
II
line bis works he suddenly about eleven O'Clock re.
treated, going of by the left INK, dou BILE quick down
the Ealy road towards the river such hurry that
be forgot to notify his skirmishers and regiment
walked In and made them surrender. Gen. Wright
having advanced and occupied the position they had
just evacuated claimed half Of the prisoners 1t Col
Holt generously granting his claim, got two bun
dred and eight including companies OF the 9th
ornecticu with their officers, JuaVe regular,
artilleryman ian orderly Sergeant and orderly
ordnance VIII q he or
dered down to the picket line with ammunition just at
this time taken with the rest. The prisoners
march out Company " Ed my old company, detailed
to guard them down to Guinea's station and took
up our line of march towards Fredericksburg hearing
that jackson was following Hooker and thinking that
cur fighting for the time being over with. But
aus for human hopes for US the worst had yet to come
We had gone but few miles when we learned that
General Sedgwick, with large Yankee force, had
crossed below the city, taken Maryes Heights cap
tured great many of Barksdale's Brigade and five
six pieces of the Washington Artery,-was marching
up the plank road driving WilcOXs brigade before him,
and was then but couple OF miles distant. Disheart
enlng this news was TO men, they nerved them
selves tor the encounter and marched cheerfuy on to
this new field. AS we went on wounded passed US on
their way TO the rear signs Of the conflict in front
Gaining Salem Church formed our line, rather
commenced to form it the LETT of Wicoxs brigade,
which was posted on the left of the plank road facing
the town. The 50th Ga, the left harking regiment OF
our brigade had not formed its line when the Virginia
fence behind, and the battle commenced. Ma
hone took position eft light and left the
enemy coula be advancing this artillery post
ed about three quarters OF mile hill In tront
but the woods in advance dense that not
Yankee could be seen and to thus lay quiet while
both hanks the firing continuous and heavy, was
trial to boys, for the balls and shells were
ploughing and through ranks frightully. Re
Lief however came for Wilcox gave the order to
charge and over his brigade went with yell Our
regiment being next caught the infection and started
Genl Semmes endeavored to stop them, heard but
thought that he ordering the charge and at the top
of my lungs passed the word along the line, Over the
fence men, CHARGE" responsive to the call they
Jumped yelling and firing, the DIST Ga, the adjoining
regiment to alone following of Semmes' brigade
The enemy stood their ground until we got within
about forty yards, when they became panic stricken
and fed like sheep. We overlook many of them and
brought them out safe. Our boys followed the tugi-
tiVes through the woods fences, across the field
and though our were being moved Gown In heaps
by their terrible discharges CT grape and canister, ad
vanced so far that their gunners (a but the crew OF
gum LETT their posts and hid and squatted behind
their calsons, and would have captu ed the battery
but they brought fresh column to the attack and our
being tired and blown, with support at ALL were
compelled reluctantly, fall back and seek shelter be-
hind the fence we started from While the charge in
progress the race was an intensely exciting The
two Georgia regiments, 10th and 51s advanced farth-
er Sthan WilcOx's Alabamians, and Genl Semmes
could be plainly seen in the front ranks of the arthest
by red Z0tave cap which be in place OF his
own military chapeau. We fell back grumbilngy,
bringing with four regiment about one hundred and
forty prisoners and left the field sreWed with the an
kee dead and dying We suffered severely but taught
insoen foe lesson he will not forget Their
loss was much greater than ours Gen. Semmes re-
ceived ball through his cap, but be remarked "a
miss is as good as mile" The only damage L expe-
rienced was a hole through my blanket by a piece OF
she'll. l not whether it was done while ] had
it not for did not carry it with all through
the charge. On returning to our line shelled
uriousy until dark when peace and quiet once more
reigned
The morning of May 4th dawned upon the two
mics occupying the positions Of the evening be
fore The Yankees had taken advantage OF the dark
and reinforced very strongly though showing no
signs of another attack they seemed to be satlsntd
with their attempt OF the day before, and lay quietly
around their guns passing about from group TO group
apparently as peaceable any other human beings
Rumors were started this morning that we had to
charge that battery, and the excitement consequent
was kept up some time but forward movement
being made, finally died out, aud the passed the
morning usual in such cases, cleaning guns, repen
ishing cartridge boxes, &c, &c. About L. NJ Gen
eral Semmes sent out with his glass to watch the
foe as he said attack expected by Gen. Early
who had got in their rear and be wished to know what
effect it would have-wha disposition OF tn If forces
would be made. About hour and half before sun
down. the first firing commenced. At the crack OF the
first gun in their rear, the fprang to tier guns
and everything in motion 1t was Clearly evil
dent that 1t q surprise to them. The muokesry
g. owing and heavier the Infantry began 10 move
apparently to the rear, part Of the skrmsherS fronting
Us, ran iE-though afterwards sent BACKYARD Jour
pieces Of artillery moved from our 'front.' leaving
sixteen still. L GOULD count them plainly, could even
! 49, l. ,Era 1VNrr