The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1864-06-14
lYoR THK LANCASTER LnpoER.I
NEAR RICHMOND,
May 80. 1864.

May 29, 1864.
Mr.. EDITOR IF we are not ordered off
too soon this morning I will write you
few lines concerning the fourth Regiment
and the Catawba Rangers. Our horses ar
rived a. Richmond last Monday the % inst
There We who had come on the cars Joined
them. We remained there until Thursday
morning, when all whose horses were ip
fighting trim were ordered to march to
Hanover Station, about twenty miles north
Of Richmond. The next norning the wri.
ter, ith few others, also followed to Join
the Regiment. But before we ed to
where it WAS camped, we ME, train after
train Of wagons marching in the direction Of
Richmond, from which it appeared very
evident that the army was again on the
move. Just before We arrived at the sta
fioa we were me, by General Hampton who
told us that the regiment was ALREADY on
the march and that We might return. We
soon joined our Regiment, ana returned Ly
the same road for several miles, when We
took south eust course and camped about
twe elve miles north east Uf Richmond. We
learned Oh this march that Grant was mo.
wing down the Painunkey River. and that
Gen. Lee was also moving the greater part
Oi his forces TO front Grant.
Yesterday morning We were ordered to
mount, and learned that the Yankees had
creased the Pamunkey with a considerable
trce OF cavalry, and were ndvnssing to-
wards Richmond. Gen. Butler not being
present Col. Rutlrdge took command Of
the Brigade, After march;sg some FIVE
miles We came in hearing Of the battle, for
II had already been commenced by ssmc
Virginia caya!ry who met the snomy soon
that morning, aud were holding them in
check. Our brigsde, or that part present.
when in s'me half nile from where the
hgh'ing ~as going On, dirI.ounied. The
guns in front of Us ~rre now popping al.
most necessarily, and u few pieces Of
our artillery were new hurried iato position,
which added considerably to the roaring in
front. After diSnOunting. the lth Repi.
Hent was drawn close up to Che bat,i. fieid,
but was held for some time 10 reserve. "a.
the writer was left in charge with the her.
sea, he siil have to give reliable statements. }
The firing in front soca became heavier and
heavier and now and then a shell fro. the
enemy would come whizring through the
cit sometimes exploding in few yards
from where the horses were stat,sued -
Soon after this the 4,h S e., was ordered
to the front and We very distinctly heard
their shouts rs they advanced to meet the
hated foe. These who had preceded, were
falling back from n superior force Of tn. !
enemy "hs were closely pressing ouS
troops. The advance Of the Ilh and their
yells gave check to the enemy, aud new
the battle seemed to Tedoub.e its fury now
thSy stood face to face. pouring the missiles
OF death into each other at furious rate -
The Regiment that had been fighting had
already learned that the force Of the enemy
were far too great for our cavalry to fight,
for this reason they were falling back. Now
il was that death was poured into our ranks |
and there the 4'h stood and held her posi.
ton until they had shot from eight to 6f. !
tseE rounds. The 9th =. Z. Regiment was
a.so now brought into action and fotmed |
on our right. The Regiments on our left |
having given way il was not l"ng until the |
left wing Of the 4,h 8. e. was aanked and !
now voiIies from the front aud left were
poured furieu-ly iaiO our ranks from a |
greatly superior fierce Of the enemy but |
undaunted these two Regiments stood
pouring deathly missiles in rapid succession
INTO the foe, and there iike stakes they stood |
until ordered to retreat. At this point was
the trying time pressed on all sides by the
foe who was'only few steps in ths rear
but llkv men they entered the field, and like
men they, when overpower~d, could leave.
But sad TO relate there in the hands Of The
enemy were left many a brave son Of 4. {.
and I an grieved TO say ten Of Lane asier's
sons fell into the ensmy's hands nine who
belonged to Go. II. and one wko had joined
Go. l., Robert Psin. morta!ly wounded,
shot through neck under the jaws. Below
l give the lit OF the kllled and wounded
in Capt. Fosters company:
Lieut.. Stewart. J G.. Lindsay, and d. N.
Mackey, were killed. Lieut. Stewart was
wounded and was being brought out by
Lindsay and James Williams when Lindsay
Vas killed and Lieut. Stewart was also shoe
10 the head and expired.
Wounded aud in the hands ofihs enemy:
I. b. Slower, severe, IL not mortsIly r. n.
Denton. severely; John vanisndinghsn,
thigh broken; Moses White, ssvsssly In
shoulder II. +. Hancock, missing; Samuel
Hammond, missing.
Wpuaded ~ho xato brought out Serst.
81. l. Dunlap, severely in hreant undsr. thu