The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-03-11
movement was decidedly an error, for by

MOV0M0uo W % u0CIu0uly I'LL orrOT, IOT ny
carrying it out it left Hamilton battery
unsupported. In an attempt to enfilade
the enemy on his right, Hamilton moved
forward four pieces; but before he got
into position, the rebels on that portion
of their line had concentrated all their fire
upon him and the 9Th United States, who
had again come up to his support. In
twenty minutes time, Hamilton lost forty
four men, killed and wounded, and forty
horses. The 9th also suffered severely.
At no juncture of the engagement was
the fire of the enemy more severe than at
the time Hamilton attempted his enfilade
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 rear it
would instantly cause a panic among the
infantry, and so inevitably lose the day
for US. The behavior of Capt. Hamilton
at this critical period of the battle is
worthy of special note, and sincerely be-
lieve that it was owing mainly to his per-
sistent efforts that the portion of our line
at bis battery was not broken and scat
tered.i in confusion. He had not only his
pieces to command, but his infantry sup
ports to keep from leaving the field. It
was in the midst of this destructive fire
of the enemy, anil while 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 a
musket ball, and shortly after was hit in
the thigh. To add to the misfortune, all
of his officers in number
we're wounded. Colonel Charles W.
Fribley, of the Eighth United States,
was also rcortally wounded on this
portion of the field. He did not
cease for a moment to encourage and
rally his men, and by his gallant behavior
proved himself to be an officer of no Or
binary merit. 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 into the pos
session of the enemy. On the right of
Hamilton the Seventh Connecticut and the
Seventh New Hampshire regiments were
doing fearful execution. The Seventh
Connecticut, especially, were standing
their ground with marked valor. Every
volley from their guns told splendidly on
the rebel line. But between the two
forces wide difference existed-the reb-
els Outnumbered us five to one. This
crushing superiority gave the two regi-
ments little chance for victory. After
losing one fourth of their number, they
were compelled to retire to the rear. At
the same moment, Colonel Barton's brig
ade took the field, coming up milne en-
eschelOn. On tie right was Elders bat
terry, and ON the left Langdon's and one
section of the Sd Rhode Island. The en-
envy had tour pieces of artillery. On
railroad Car he had mounted heavy gun,
supposed to be 32-pounder, and with
this he kept up regular fire, but not de-
structive, as the shells passed over the
heads of our men. There can be no doubt
concerning the fighting qualities of Bar
tons brigade. On this occasion they
fought like tigers, but the same difficulty
which opposed Hawley's brigade presented
itsf If to them, viz. the mass of the enemy.
The last regiments to enter the field
were the LIST North Carolina, and 54th
Massachusetts, (colored,) of Montgome-
rvs brigade. They took bold position at
the front, and maintained their ground
with considerable pertinacity. For three
and half successive hours did our brave
regiments combat the enemy before them.
The instances of personal daring that
occurred in the meantime are numerous.
Never before did the troops in this depart
ment have such an opportunity for dis
playing their valOr, and on no previous oc-
casiOn have they exhibited such high d =
gree of bravery. II the enemy had pre-
sented an equal force with our own, or
even if it had been only double, no doubt
could have been felt as to the final result
of the contest. As it was the enemy re
sisted us with force in point OF numbers
three times that of our own, which taken
together with the circumstances of the
long and tedious march and the i'll condi-
ton of the men, it would be hardly reason
able to suppose that success would be on
our side. The effect of our fire, both of
musketry and artillery, was fearful. At
every discharge, down went body of re-
bells The gallant Elder on the right and
the dashing LangdOn on the left, made an
impression on the rebel lines that will go
far to offset the misfortune that ultimately
overlook us The fight was by no means
a trivial encounter; it was battle hotly
contested, fought at close range, face to
face and foot to foot. The commanding
Office of the various regiments are emit
tied to unlimited credit for the heroic
manner in which they led their men.
General Seymour was not away from
the ground an instant. At first on the
right and then on the left, he seemed to
be everywhere at one and the same mo
ment His aim was apparently to be in
tie thickest of the fight, and at the front
of his troops
At P. M. the fire slackened on both
sides; on ours in consequence of the am
munition giving out, and on the enemy's
because we did not press him. A demon
st~ation by the rebels to capture Langdon's
Bat cry, at about the middle stage of the
fight, was prevente by Langdon, who
poured tito their line quick and deadly
hre But in coming from the field, he was
obliged to leave to the enemy three Of his
pieces, not because the enemy charged
upon them, but for the reason that he did
not have horses tn draw them off, At 81
O'Clock the heavy firing had ceased The