North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-06-22

enemy before them, towards Fair Oaks, and
biVouaced on the ground, or rather in the
mud, which the latter had previously occu-
pied, the regiment having then been on duty
for 60 consecutive hours, without shelter,
tents or knapsacas the 81 an1 the l04th
Pa, being in the advance during both the
march and the skirmsh, in which the former
lost two men wounded one MORALLY.
Next day 25,h, Gen. Naglee, intent upon
reaching Fair Oaks, where the enemy was
posted, at the earliest practicable moment,
selected one hundred sharp shooters from
the Sud, whom he sent ahead as skirtnishcrs
and with the balance of the regiment and a
section of artillery, followed closely and rap.
idly after The skirmishers, when Gen. Keyes
rode up and checned the ceerily Of the move
ment, saying to Gen. NagIee, ''You are NOV
ing too fast"
The shirlnishers having discovered the
enemy in line Of battle at Fair Oaks, on the
afternoon Of the 25,h information Of the
fact was immediately communicated to Gen,
Naglee who, with the remainder OF the 52nd
and two pieces of artillery, rushed forward and
shelled the enemy from his position, driving
hitn back a considerable distance and bivou-
aced upon the field, moving on near half a
mile further toward Richmond, on the morn
! ing O! the 26lh where they encamped till the
23th when they advanced still further to-
wards the Rebel capital and, in conjunction
with the .l04th ereamped at a point nearer
! TO it then had been reached by any other
! regiment during the Peninsular campaign
and remaining there until the 3lst Of May.
! To-, ON which memorable day was fought the
! si;n6uInary and terrific battle Of FAIR Oaks.
in which The Sad participated, the action
raging from noon until dark, and the regi-
ment losing ll9 killed aad wounded, and 4
/ prisoners, being within two of half their
number engaged the flag of the Sind being
/ the last to leave the fell truly a most
! bloody and honorable record.
| After the battle OF Fair Oaks. the regiment
! encamred on the banks of the Chickahomiui.
near Bottoms Bridge, were they remained
| till the 57th June, when the whole Of Nsp
/ ices Brigade removed to Bottom's Bridge
ard threw up rife pits during the night
! Next day, 2sth, a portion of stonewall jack
sons army appeared on the opposite size of
the river aud about noon, opened battery.
the lire confirming on both sides till near
niglt, when Naglee having sileaced the rebel
battery, still held his position. On the 26th
the Brigade moved from BOttom's Bridge
! and crossed over to tie James river side OF
/ White Oak swamp, where they bivouaced
and :he next day jackson opened on them
/ with previously concealed batteries, being
about 80 guns. Hazards battery replied
briskly and our forces hold their position
during the day. 49,.
On the night Of the 30,h the Brigade
marched to The james river and bivouaced
On the morning Of the Pad July, 1862, the
whole army moved to Harrisons Landno
Nag'e6's Brigade covering the rear. Left the
Landing on the 10th OF August and arrived
at Yorktown ON the 20th, from which pIaca
the regiment made to reconnoisances one to
Gloucester Court IIyuse, DESTROYING s,lt
works and capturing considerable amount
Of rebel property, including horses, mules.
cattle, &c.
On the p; Of Dc ember, '62 having been
transferred to Gen. Fosters Department
they left Yorktown for Beaufort, n. c.,
where they arrived on the 2nd of January
'63, and were thence transferred 20 the De-
partment Of the South, and arriving at Hi,
ton Head, s, c., on the 3lst of the same
month, they immediately encamped upon ST.
Helena Island where they remained, doing
guard, picket, and fatigue duty for few
weeks, when they embarked on an expedition
~ Edisto river, in connection with the navy
during Dupont's attack on Sumter and re-
turning, they took up their quarters at Beau
fort, S. c., from which place they were sent
on the 9th fJuiy and attached to Gen, Ter
ry'S Division. On the 9th Of July, with the
lOfth Pa, the Sad lapded on James Island
then occupied by the enemy whom thew
drove back, skirmiShirg meanwhile with the
rebel cavalry, held possession Of the Island
up 10 within short range Of the rebel batter,
les. On the l6th at day-break, an attack
was made on Gen. Terry's Division, by
large body Of rebel cavalry, which was hand
someIy repulsed by our forces, and on the
morning of the l7th, James Island was eyac
uated by our troops who returned to Folly
Island. Here they commenced sending out
fatigue parties as often as twice, aud some
times three times week, to aid in the ac-
oomplishment of an undertaking exhibiting
the most remarkable instance of military en-
gineering skill upon record-being an ap.
proach TO Fort Wagner by parallels along
neck os land but few rods wide, in the face
OF ten batteries playing constantly upon the
operators, but which was successfully accom-
plshed ; not, however, without much less Of
life and limb, the men being every moment
exposed 10 the most jTniDcut porii