Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-03-11
The Repulse in Florida.

| AEf wan iA'- '~-''''N
Correspondence to the New York pa
pers confirms in the main the previous
accounts of the disaster to Gen. Sey-
mour's expedition near Olustee, Florida
, Although it was known that the enemy
, were near in large force, our troops
moved forward without skirmisher:
thrown out, and the advance found Itself
within hundred yards Of large rebe
force with batteries in position, without
any previous warning. This was at two
o'clock in the afternoon of the goth, and
our troops had marched sixteen mile;
over difficult road, and had tasted nc
food since O'Clock in the morning. Con
sequenty they were not in the best fight.
ing condition, and the circumstances Of
the situation we're all against them.
AT this time our force 90 the field con-
sisted of the 7ih New Hampshire, the
9TH Connecticut, the Independent Battal
ion OF Massachusetts cavalry, the 40tb
Massachusetts mounted infantry, the 9Th
United States colored, Elders battery Of
four and Hamlton's of six pieces. The
remainder halted on the road. While
our men, were at work on the right, Col.
Henry, in person, went over TO the left
to reconnoiter, and much to his astonsh-
ment discovered that the enemy's right
Tapped on our left. This was reported
to Gen. Seymour, who Immediately gave
orders for the advance troops and bat
teries to come into position. The enemy
watched the movements with an eager
eye, ana the moment Hamilton com
menced unimberirg his pieces his bat
terry was subjected 10 a calling fire of
musketry. A number of men and sew
eral horses were shot before he could get
ready to fire one round. The railroad
as it nears Oustee takes bend, and be-
hind this bend the rebels had taken their
position. In the woods at The rear were
their supporters and reserves. We had
not a moment to lose. Our men were
within one hundred yards of the enemy,
and the only thing that could be done
was TO fight. To retreat at that time
was impossible, for the road was filled
with troops coming up, and the woods on
either side would not admit OF passage
on the flank. By dint of effort Capt.
Langdon succeeded in getting his four
guns in battery on the extreme left, but
not until he had lost five or six men and {
about the same number of horses. AT
he commencement of the fight, the 9Th
United States colored troops were sup q
PORTING Hamilton's battery, but when /
heir assistance was really Indispensable, r
" some strange order they filed to the t
light in rear of the battery, for the pur- G
pose of joining their right on the left of
he 9TH Connecticut.
In 20 minutes time Hamilton lost Al
men killed and wounded, and 40 horses.
The 9th also suffered severely. At no
one juncture of the engagement was the
fire of the enemy more severe than at
the time Hamilton attempted his enfIade
movement. Hamilton knew very well
his pieces were in great danger of being
captured, and he also had sense enough
to know that by taking them to the rea,
il would instantly cause a panic among
the infantry, and so inevitably lose the
day for us. He had not only his pieces
to command, but his infantry supports to
keep from leaving the field. II was 10
the midst of This destructive fire of the
enemy, and while Capt. Hamilton was
urging the infantry to maintain their line,
and at the same time giving orders to
his battery, he was struck in the arm by
musket ball, and shortly after was again
hit in the thigh. To add to the misfor-
tune, all of his officers, four in number,
were wounded. Capt. Hamilton kept
his pieces at work until it was evident it
would be sure loss to fire another round,
and then gave orders to withdraw them.
Horses were attached to only four pieces
the horses TO the other two had been
shot, consequently two guns fell in
TO possession of the enemy. On the
right Of Hamilton the 9TH Connecticut
and the 7th New Hampshire were doing
fearful execution. The 9Th Connecticut
especially were standing their ground
with marked valor. Every volley from
their guns told splendidly on the rebel
line. After losing one-fourth Of their
number they were compelled TO retire
to the rear. At the same moment Col
Barton's brigade, the 47th, 4Slh and
10th New York regiments took the
field, coming up in line en- eschelon. On
this occasion they fought like tigers, but
the same difficulty which opposed Haw>
ley's brigade presented itself to them.
viz, the mass of the enemy. The last