The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-03-11
CORRESPONDENCE.
HEApouAnrras 22p REo. U. 8. G. IT,,
Near Williamsburg, March S, 1864.


the battlefield OF Williamsburg. Tho left OF
our line rests within few feet Of the graves Of
some New jersey soldiers who have, with many
others no less brave. consecrated this ground.
with their blood, to Liberty and Freedom; free.
dom to oil, Of whatever caste OF. color. You
will rccollect the part Maine 'boys" played in
this battle. and the compliment Mcclellan gave
them and the order he issued that. thereafter
let Williamsburg be inscribed upon your BAN
ner." Our Major was Captain Of . company
IA that regiment which assaulted and carried
an earthwork but short distance from "Fort
Magruder." Our Lieut.. Colonel was in the lett
wing of the army. The frowning guns Of this
fort are but about three hundred yards to the
north of US. -s,...r .... DOL.
Tuesday. as my colleague and myself with q
detail Of ten men were busy erecting tempo
rary hospital, came the order, "Scnd your men
to their companies the regiment has orders to
march with four days rations." Like good
soldiers. We Immediately prepared to- march.
In an hours time. (it being about five O'Clock
P. M we started, not knowing whittier or for
what purpose. At this iuncture our Colonel
rode up, having been at Yorktown attending o
court-martial /; he then disclosed to US that our
division would oil join us. and that our object
was to CO operate with Kilpatrick's cavalry. Of
whose raid you have already been informed by
telegraph. Our regiment had the honor Of be-
ing the first to move. After We had been march
ing about an hour itcommenced to rain, and q
more uncomfortable night never rodoin. Our
route was through swamp full Of mud-holes,
and the night was darker than Egyptian dark
ness. The rain soon turned to snow, which
made It more uncomfortable STILL Needless Of
rain, snow or chilling winds, We pushed on un-
til we had advanced twelve miles, when our
Colonel, who possesses prudence as we'll as val
or, deemed II inexpedient to proceed further in
an enemy's country with SO small force. Ac-
cordingly, our men bivouacked upon the cold
damp ground, aud the field and staff offers en-
joyed the comfort Of very poor fire, made BY
q poor specimen Of humanity, miserable Sc
cesh woman. We reached this place at twelve
P. NJ. Alter resting about three hours, up
came Pennsylvania regiment Of cavalry, which
supported our advance. Wemarched until sun
rise. when we halted for breakfast, and right
glad were we to improve the opportunity, as
we had not had meal since our dinner the day
before. As soon as our repast was ended we
again resumed our march. We reached New
Kent Court House, the place where We were or
dercd to report, at twelve NJ, having marched
thirty three miles in about eighteen hours. Con-
sidering the bad state OF roads, and also the
fact that our regiment never marched more
than dozen miles before at one time, this was
considered to bebig marching. Our scout, who
was formerly in the rebel service, succeeded in
by some means, four copies OF the
Richmond Examiner, which gave usa full nc.
count OF Kilpatrick's movements. remained
here over night. The next morning we were
ordered to move. Your correspondent was or
dered to remain behind to look after those who
were not able to advance. Accordingly he Sc
lected the best house he could find and made II
his headquarters. About noon, as the Major,
who had remained in charge OF the camp, and
myself were reading q copy Of the New York
Daily Tribune, VIC heard gathering Of horses
feet. and on looking out VIC saw large cavalry
force approaching, riding like Jshu. which
proved to be Kilpatrick's cavalry. They halt
cd here about an hour. Learning that por-
ton of the LIST Maine were along, Immediately
sought out and found Capt. Chadbourne, who
was rs much surprised to SEQ me as he would
would have been to have taken Richmond. In
, short time our torcc returned, and having nc.
,omplished its mission, viz: to cover Kilpat-
-ick's retreat, wc soon started homeward.
The only casualty that happened to our force
was one Of the soldiers was shot through the
arm while doing picket duty. We had proceed
ID but q few miles when We heard loud cheering
Ia 'front.' The cause was this. Our Adjutant
and one Of our Lieutsnants had been scouting
and had found guerilla sccreted under bar
rcl and turned him over to some cavalry men.
There were two on each side and one In his rear
With rife cooked, ready to shoot him, should
10 attempt to escape. The poor fellow was rum
hing for dear life end with ono eye looking over
lis shoulder, presented comical sight. In sum-
NJ up tho results Of our march home, VIC found
hat suudry pig.pens had been visited to the
lctrimcnt Of "mine host Mr.. Sccesh. Num-
,erle.s chicken roosts had been robbed; four
lows could be seen marching In tho centre Of
,ur regiment; also, there was curious look |
ng vehicle, I can compare It to nothing but q
Chinese junk on wheels. to which was attached
wo mules. In this nondescript kind Of q
wagon were eight or ten contraband women |
md children altogether presenting the appear
.nce Of burlesque opera troop.
We arrived homo at two o'clock Friday and
,lad were we to have the privilege Of resting. |
Dur regiment behaved nobly and too much
praise cannot be given them for the uncomplain- |
ng spirit manifested during the march. think |
hey were evidently disappointed in not having |
IN opportunity to fight. hope yet they may |
lave the chance, and Richmond DO humbled BY |
luartcring colorcd soldiers.
Yours &C., AsrRAoALus.
DEATH OF Col. DAHLGRES.-Tho follow
ng Is tho article in the Richmond Sentinel
IF the 9Th inst, announcing the death Of
Col. Dahlgren:
"The gallant Dahlgren Is dead. Aner lesv.