Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-06-03
The Fight of the 10Th.

The Boston Posts correspondent a
Fortress Monroe, writing on the Goth
gives some additional particulars of tn,
terrible fight of the 10th, when the enc
my made the successful surprise attack
We had but one line of battle, with nc
support, and the first intimation our forces
received of the appearance Of the enemy
was a voice not twenty rods in our rear
exclaiming, Lay down your arms and
we won't fire on you" Had a thunder
bolt fallen in their midst men could not
have been more astonished and bewilder-
ed than Heckman's troops as the half
sleeping men seized their arms and
quickly leaped to their feet at sound of
the sceprlchral voice emanating from the
dense fog which encompassed them on all
sides. Instead of surrendering, these
brave troops leaped over the intrench-
ments and hand TO hand fight ensued of
the most desperate nature; three brig
AIDES of the enemy were in their rear
and two in front; to cut their their way
through TO the main body of the 18th
corps was now the only alternative, and
to accomplish which every man did his
utmost. The 9th New Jersey and 23d
Massachusetts were gradually forced
back upon the 9th Massachusetts,, and
they in turn upon the 25th Massachusetts.
Here our men were disposed to make a
most desperate stand in the hope that
Smith would send reiniorcements. The
enemy, elated with his success, came
boldly on in solid masses in few min
utes fight ensued which beggars de-
scription-bayonets and butts of muskets
were freely used on both sides, and Of
those who finally cut their way out, many
held bayonet covered with rebel blood,
while the butts of several muskets were
sadly despatched with blood and brains
of the sanguine rebels. History does
not record more desperate and unequal
contest. The battlefield was thickly
strewn with the killed and wounded Of
both armies. All our wounded were left
]
in the enemy's hands, except those able
to walk, and even many of the latter
were captured. Out of $500 men in
Gen. Heckman'5 brigade, not over 700
escaped. Lieut.. Col. Chambers of the
23d Massachusetts was wounded-the
latter is now doing well at Chesapeake
hospital near Fortress Monroe; he had
very narrow escape from death-his
watch saved his life, being struck by a
bullet and reduced to a shapeless mass
Capt. Raymond of the 23d was captured,
but drew his sword on his captor, cutting
him nearly in twain, thereby effecting
his escape. Capt. Woodbury. of the
same regiment gave his captor the con-
tents of his revolver through the head,
and also escaped. Capt. Sanford, 9th
Massachusetts shot his captor dead and
was making the best of his way to the
rear, when a rebel officer approached
him from behind and shot him through
the head killing him instantly. Capt.
Sanford was brave and gallant officer,
second to none in his regiment. The
23d lost their State color, having saved
their American flag; the 9th lost all
their colors three in number, including a
beautiful silk banner presented the regi-I
ment by the ladies of Springfield the
10th had more time than the two former {
regiments and succeeded in saving their i,
colors. The 9th New Jersey saved their
eolors by tearing them from their stats
and placing them in the bosoms of the
color bearers. The enemy pressed '
Heckman's troops so hard that when the 6
colors fell they were Immediately in nos.
session OF the enemy. The color bear
ers were shot several times before thew q
fell, Corporal Fernald of the 23d having a
eight bullets through bis heart. !