The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1864-06-14

pits. The slaughter vas terrible. but
the works were carried and held with
unsurpassed valor. Throughout the
day perfect bail Of mnskel balls and
shells was poured down upon these
devoted men, and repeated charges
we're made upon their continually d.
minishing ranks. Bot with tenacisy
and courage that deserves to be I'M.
mortalized, they held the ground until
the rebels, in despair, ceased their ef.
forts 10 reiake il,
StanBard's and Sleadman's brigades
Of Mariinlale's division, both losi
heavily. Both brigades we're in tha
hottest Of the fight and advanced 10
the enrrnys second line.e General
sfsnnsrd proved hunaeIf a worthy
succsas4r ot the fighting Hcckman,
and the old Hickman brigade, under
his orders, again covered itself with
glory. General Stannard himself was
wounded in tie leg, bet iAiyted on
remaining upon the field throughout
the day. Lieutenant G. w. Hooker
and Captain Wilcox, Of his staff, we're
both wounded. The Twenly.iilth
Massachusetts, charged over a line Of
the enemy's works, which they found
it impossible TO hold. In their retreat
they EFF upon the field the bodies Of
their killed aud wounded. II was
impossible for man to even crawl
upon this field and live. The appear
ance ofa head or an arm In motion
was the signal for vollieS of musket-
ry.
While Martindale was fighting
desperately on the right, Brooks was
as sriskly engaged on the left 81 the
corps. The Tenth New Hampshire
volunteers advanced as skirmishers at
the head Of the column Of attack, fol-
lowed by the Eighty.Hrst New York,
who were 10 turn supported by the
One Hundred and Twenty-uinth New
York. The fire with which they
were received was terribly destruc-
tive, and they we're halted 10 their
advance after sustaining severe losses.
The Eighty-first New York lost seven
captains out of nine.
Gen. Brooks staff were continually
under fire Of the most destructive
character. Captain Reed, his Adju-
tapt General, was in the rife pits
with the Fifiy-eighth Pennsylvania,
and was compelled to remain there
until, taking advantage of the smoke
from general discharge Of muskct-
ry, he made bis escape. Lieutenant
Abel X. Parsons, Of the Fourth Ver-
mont an aid on Brooks staff. was
killed in the commencement of the
action.
This dly has been in all probability
one Of the hottest for general officers
and their stats that has yet been ex-
perieDced in this campaign. Stan
nard and every member Of his staff
were struck. MartindaIe escaped
without being hit, although every
member Of his staff was struck.
Major General Smith and his staff
were throughout the whole day con-
tinually under fire. Captain West,
Major Tyler and Lieuienants Duer
and Tucker were repeatedly on the
extreme front with orders, and Cen
eral Smith himself, on the first sign
of hesitation or panic among any OF
the regiments, was immediately 10
Eheir midst and restored their conf
dence and courage al once. The
General had horse shot under him
at the com nencement OF the action,
and one Of his orderlies was wounded
in the leg. II is matter exciting
universal surprise throughout the
lsorps that the General and his staff
escaped the shower Of 6yisg balls that
raltssd ground them bollr to-day and
on Wednesday.
Struggling has heretofore been
something almost unknown in the
Eighteenth corps but The severe
march that preceded our fight on
Wednesday, and the arduous service
of that and the succeeding day, so
exhausted the men that numbers, TAX
ing advantage Of the slightest excuse,
commenced falling TO the rear. With
his usual promptness, Gen. Smith at
once put an end TO this state Of things.
Captain Denny's Provost Guard, with
. detachment OF the Eleventh Penn
sylvania cavalry, under command of
Captain Roberts, was spread along
the rear Of the corps, and all strag-
| elers seized and examined by medical
officers Those really unable TO per-
form duty were passed through, while
those who were evidently intending 70
shirk were driven back 70 the front.
Al length an order was issued to
Captain Denny to hang the next
straggler eahght In a short time
candidate for the rope was procured,
and every arrangement made to ele-
vaie hial As the rope began 70
tighten around his neck, however, be
made an appeal to the mercy Of the
Provost Marshal, and,upon promising
better behavior for the future, was
allowed 10 rejoin his regiment. This
example had q great moral effect and
struggling ceased tesbe an institution
il this corps.
During the morning as three strag-
giers were sitting under a tree 10 the