The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-07-08
CORRESPONDENCE.
CAMP 1sr Me-. CAVALRY,
Wilson's Landing, Va, Juno 25.

write moro than enough to lot our friends
know who are killed., wounded, missing, &c.
On the 7th of this month two divisions OF
cavalry, the LIST commanded by Gen. Torbert
and the ID commanded by Gen. Gregg. ac-
companied by Gen. Sheridan commanding
cavalry corps, left New Castle with seven and
half days rations and two Of forage.
Where We were to 90, or what do, was known
only by the generals. After marching four
days we found ourselves near Louisa Court
House, on the Virginia Central Railroad.
On the morning Of the 18th we started out
in two columns, knowing We were near the
enemy. and very soon diminishing commenced
and then general engagement but owing
to the promptness Of our regiment in getting
out in the morning, we were given tho posi-.
ton to support the battery, and so In this
days fight our loss was very light-in the
regiment only three wounded and three horses
killed-but we were under tho severest can.
nonading 1t has ever been our lot to receive ;
but not q man left his post. The enemy here
held q very strong position indeed, covering
the railroad which we wished to gain but a
charge was ordered, dismountcd, and they
were routed in great disorder and many kill.
ed, wounded and taken prisoners, among
whom noticed the colonel OF the Sd Va.
badly wounded, with several other officers.
IL our regiment had been allowed to charge
mounted we should have captured all the ar
tillery hero and hundreds of prisoners.
Next day our regiment went down to the
court house, where were many OF their
wounded. Meanwhile the other portion
moved towards Orange Court House, where
they met q very superior force with large
guns and strongly entrenched, so after COM
pletely destroying FIVE miles Of railroad, we
retired, taking our wounded, between three
and four hundred, and prisoners, about five
hundred, along with us. Our loss here, in
killed, wounded and missing, was very large
about one thousand. We retired to King
and Queen Court House, where we arrived
on the 18th, passing the very spot where the
noble Dahlgien fell, and tho open grave from
which he was taken and carried to Richmond
All through here the "Home Guards" lost
no opportunity to shoot, hang and cut the
threats Of oar men wherever they could catch
them, and rs we could not catch them to re-
taliate, wo just destroyed their buildings;
but this was feeble retaliation. Here we
sent the wounded, the prisoners, and some
six hundred contrahands Of all ages, sizes
ind colors, to West Point, and next day We
turned our jaded horses towards the White
House. where we arrived on the 10Th, hav.
ing been gone fourteen days, subsisting our.
selves half the time on the country, and our
horses nearly the whole time; but we lacked
for nothing.
Our arrival at the White House was q
very timely one, for here was the balance Of
our corps train, and the enemy was just pre-
pairing to gobble tho whole thing. AT day
light next morning we crossed the river with
our whole division 1.-THE 2d) dismounted, oil
but our regiment, which went mounted
The fog was very thick, and we crossed un
molested, when was ordered to take Co. ii
Capt. Halls company, with mine and I'D
vance to ascertain the whereabouts and force
of tho enemy. 1t was q very Difficult. task.
so thick was the fog, and We could see only
about fifty yards in front Of US; but we soon
found them, and driving them about two
miles we found it to be Hanpton's division
of cavalry. Our forces were brought up, n
line of battle soon formed breastworks thrown
up, and we waited for them to attack, which
they soon did. but were most handsomely re-
pulsed with severe loss. We held the bat
tie ground that night. Next morning they
were not to he found. The casualties in our
regiment hero were quite small considering
the advanced position Of the regiment. One
Of Co. F, Scrgt. Merrill, was killed, six from
other companies wounded, and three or four
horses killed. had mono In my company
wounded here.
On the 22d we rested rs fast rs we could.
and that night our long train Of 500 wagons
started for the James river, preceded by the
LIST division, and next morning we followed
on the right flank and oil camped for the
night ut Jones bridge on the Chickahominy.
and yesterday morning we were In high spir.
its, thinking wo would have no more fight
ing until We got in and got q little rest but
we were disappointed. Again our division
was to guard the right flank. and to do so we
moved out on the direct road towards Rich.
uond, the LIST Maine again in advance. and
when near st. Mary's Church we met the
rebel advance, which we drove back beyond
the church and were holding thrm there
while the train passed, but the lighting was
very continuous, and 1t was soon discovered
that they had such Wforce It would DO hard
for vs to retire alone, 30 Gen. Gregg sen. q
messenger for che other division. which had
gone to Charles City Court House with the
train, to come to his support as soon as pos
sible as they did not come he sent again,
but II was soon found the enemy held the
road and both messengers had been cap
tured. ......
The fighting was now almost hand to hand,
and the firing was most terrific. The enc
my had two divisions of cavalry and fifteen
hundred infantry. With this large forco
they had us almost surrounded, and there
was no way but to retreat and fight our way
back Us best we could 90 the order was Civ.
en-, and as we left our works they closed in
upon US with hideous yells. but there was no
running nor skedaddling, but Us desperate
Sighting as was ever done by one division OF
cavalry. They fought with tho greatest reck-
lessness to get our guns, and once they got
their hands on them, but were quickly shot
down, and then the grape and canister was
poured into them with fearful slaughter
and they would give way and Others come
Thus we fought for about three miles. AT
times II would seem as II VIC would have to
give II up and surrender or oil DO killed, or
fight till we dropped dead as some did; but
aiter they found we would not give II up and
they could not mannure to capture us, and
that they were losing 90 many Of their best
and bravest men, they gave 1t up. but no
sooner than We wished can assure you, for
we were most terribly exhausted. the heat OF
the day beihg most intense, and many had
already fallen by heat and exhaustion. and
very many Of our bravcst and best had been
killed and wounded.
n.~k Uos- a. S.,s.;o.~ hus