The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-09
p1sros1rGoN or rHR RNRNY.

a reserve. The Rebel tanks had thick woods for
cover, while our whole line, from the formItio
OF the ground, was necessarily much more eX-
posed.
The 32d United States coored troops were
ordered to charge tho Rebel fort as soon as we
had got into position at the head OF the road.
They uttumuu d., but got stuck in the marsh,
which they found impossible 40 tho point Of their
assault and calling lrc Of grape, canister, and
musk, try being opened Oh them, they we're forced
20 r, tire.
The Both United States colored troops also
e'sayed an assault but could not get near enough
to produce any effect upon it. These regiments,
however, only fell back u the line OF battle where
they remained throughout the entire tight
Our 'front.' as gradually established, reached 10
the right and left about half mile-for a con
sdorabe portion of the way along rough pa'h
or road, and with the centre in the turn of the
main road. Here LiCutenant-CoOne Ames
brought up all the artillery that could be used
and until after dark kept up Il constant and et5c.
! tive ire on the Rebel works and lines. He per
S,naly Superutcuded the firing, and excited
| general admiration by his GOODNESS and bravery.
The jj,h Massachusetts, (COOred) wentiutO the
| fight on the right OF the brigade, commanded BY
! Colonel Hartwcl. | did not note tue time, bat
it was in the heat of the action, when the brigade
| bad got separated by sending detachments to
different weak points, and all that was left OF II
on the spot where II WAS first located was mere
| detachment. The fire became very hot, but still
| the regiment did not wayer--tho line merely
QuiyeICd.
| Captain GOraud, of General Fosters staff, whose
| gallantry was conspicuous all day, rode up just
/ as Colonel Ilartwell was wounded in the hand,
/ and advised him to retire, but the Colonel de-
Clined and was anXious to charge the works.
! Captain Goraud declined 10 give the order, but
rather favored the movement, the bullets all this
| time dying ike hail. Colonel Hartwcll gave the
order, the COlOrs came to the CXtremc front, when
the Colonel shouted, Follow your cOlors :" aud
| and then led the way himself and marched UtT
| UblQuely, in column by division.
Colonel and
! tain Crane, his Admt1ut.G General. Just as they
| reached the marsh in front of The turn in the
! road, and within short distance OF the Rebel
| works, brave Colonel Hartweils horse, while
| struggling through the mud, was literally blown
in pieces by Il discharge of canister. The Colonel
was wounded at the same time, and attempted to
| Jump from his horse but the animal tell on him,
! pressing him into the mud.
| At this time he was riding at the side of the
| column and the men pressed on past. But as they
| passed the fort they met murderOus fire OF grape,
canister, and bullets at short range. As the num-
| bCrs OF the advance were thlnncd, the few who
| survived began 10 wuygr, and finally the regiment
| rereated. In retiring, Lieutenant Ellsworth, with
| a few men, eXtricated the Colonel from his peril
| Gus position after much delay and by cutting the
saddle from his horse.
| In carrying him away he was again wounded
| in the side and advised Lieutenant Ellsworth TO
leave him behind; but the Lieutenant and u few
| men brought him from the field without further
| injury, and he will probably survive He is now
| in the hospital at Beaufort doing well,
The l27th New Y Nork were at this time on the
! left OF the road, under command Of Lieutenant
| Colonel WOOdiord, who, at his own request, was
| temporarily relieved from duty on General FOS-
ter's staff, that he might take his place with his
regiment. He led the regiment across the road
to cooperate with the j5th, and got very near the
fort, but was obliged finally to retire. Consider
ing that they had skrmished in the front all day,
their behavior was splendid. At the time of their
furthest advance Colonel Gurney was on the
| right of the road, in the extreme front, in com
| ma pf u gh we'd
much galantry.
The oath Massachusetts, heroes of all the hard
fights that have occurred in the department since
their arrival here, were too much scattered in this
battle to do full justice to themselves. Only two
companies went into the fight ut first, under
Lieutenant Colonel Hooper. They were posted
on the left. Subsequently they were Joined by
four more companies, who were left on duty in
the rear.
The 25th Ohio soon after the commencement Of
the engagement were sent to the right, where
they swung around and fought on line nearly
| perpendicular to our main front. portion OF
the 55th Massachusetts were with them. One or
two charges were essayed, but were unsuccess-
ful; but the front was maintained there through
out the afternoon. The 10Th had the largest loss
OF all the regiments.
THE CoLoRED TROOPS.
The colored troops fought well throughout the
day. There was probably greater proportion of
stragglcrs than among the white troops; but not
| a single regiment broke as a regiment. The Doth,
32d, lO2d, 6flh, and Both were all at the front,
and kept in line more coolly than one would sup
pose There was no shrinking among any troops,
white or black, and every regiment in the fight
deserves praise.
Counter charges were Uuade at various times
during the fight by the enemy, but our infantry
and artillery moved them down, and they ala
not at any time get very near our lines. When
ever a charge of our men was repulsed, tue
Rebels would flock out Of their works, whoOp-
ing like Indians; but Ames' guns and the terrific
yoIleys Of our infantry would soon send them
back.
INCIDENTS.
One skirmisher, who was lying down in the
extreme front, rose up to light his pipe. The
latter was in his mouth, while he held match
in his right hand and the match box in the other
A bullet, piercing his forehead, killed him in.
stanty, and his body lay there for some time
the pipe sill in his mouth, and the fingers clutch
ing the match box.
Colonel Pierce, a volunteer on General HatChs
staff, while nc the 'front.' remarked that he would
90 back to where the Rebels were turning ouI
left, and see how strong they we're. lie was gone
but moment and returned with his coat torn
and wound on the leg, where bullet had
gTazed it..
Lieutenant Colonel Bennett, Captain Silva
| Lieutcnants McMartn and Van Wrinkle, Captain
Jewett Surgeon Burton, and in fact all the stat
| officers, were conspicuous for their bravery, ant
most efficient in the discharge of their duties
Fortunately and singularly, none OF them wer'
| hit.
| Lieutenant Colonel WoodlOtu, OF Ihe lZitl
had the bridge of his nose just grazed by u Mimi
ball, but received no other injury.
Colones Gurney, Baird and Lewis, thougl
much exposed, were not hit.
THE MOVEMENT ON THE CoosAwATcHR ROAD
During the forenoon of Wednesday, a fore
| under command of Major ]. Anderson, of Gene
raj Fosters staff, went up the Coosawatchie road
| the same first taken by our advance on the after
z | noon of Tuesday. They proceeded further thai
that force did, when the major, with two compa
nies and a detachment of the Naval Brigade, wa
Suddenly fired on by battery short distanc