The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-09

. position, our right resting at or near the
plank road, and our left, which constituted .
part Of my command, rested in piece Of tim
Der and on the LETT Of the plank road. A fu-
rious attack was then made BY the enemy, but
our men held their ground. Farther around
to the right and rear the enemy massed heavy
force and charged our line, breaking through
and reaching my left flank. I then received
orders to face my command by the rear rank
and throw my right into the timber, forming q
line to protect my flank and rear. The order
was promptly executed. I then deployed my
right and left and at once met the enemy. We
then commenced capturing prisoners. We
captured four hundred of the enemy, includ-
ing thirty commissioned officers, and nag be-
longing to the 18th North Carolina infantry.
In the meantime the balance of the brigade
had moved farther to the right and left us
alone to finish the job. Iremained in this po-
sition until after dark, and then moved out to
our old position. awaiting further orders.
At eleven o'clock at night the army fell back,
and was left without knowledge of the fact.
l kept my men under arms during the night,
and the next morning, seeing no troops on my
right or left, I at once sent out three Of my
best men to ascertain If our forces had changed
their position during the night. They did not
report back. then sent Lieut. Coquillard, of
the 7th Mich. Reg't to where the right Of our
brigade rested the day before. He came back
out of breatl., saying that our forces had all
left and the enemy's cavalry were advancing.
The 10th Massachusetts, Regiment had been
sent out on picket, in my front, and had been
left the same as myself at once notified
them of the danger We were In, and they at
once Joined my command.
At this time the enemy could be seen ad-
vancing from all sides. We then held coun.
eli Of war, and resolved upon trying to make
our lines. To prevent our colors from falling
into the hands of the enemy, the Uuited States
flag was torn to pieces, and every man took q
piece. The State flag was folded and wrapped
around the body, of the colOr-bearer, his shirt
and blouse over it. Ihad one Captain, three
Lieutenants, and one hundred and twenty men.
being the senior officer, it fell upon me to
pilot the comman through; every man agree
ing to obey my orders, and follow me.
I gave the command forward, and we start
ed out Of the timber, all well armed and
supplied with ammunition which We had taken
from the captured rebels. E.
We marched ont of the timber, and were
about to cross the Plank Road, when the enemy
charged down the road with yell. at once
about faced the command and ordered them to
fire. We broke and drove the enemy back
in disorder, killing and wounding quite .
number. 81 - .-...,
We then marched for the timber on the op-
posite side of the road, which we reached just
in time to prevent the enemys cavalry from
cutting Us of. The enemy charged into the
timber after US, but owing to the thick under
brush they were unable to overtake rs. We
made good time for about two miles, through
heavy timber, when halted the command to
rest and learn the right course to strike the
Weldon Railroad After learning the course
by the sun, deployed my command In single
file, and marched eleven miles through the
timber, striking the Weldon Railroad between
the left Of our army and Ream's Station. We
arrived inside our picket line about 5 p. n. Of
the 18th, and my men being tired, camped
for the night.
On the morning OF the 10th We marched
some seven miles and found our Division and
Brigade In the rear of our front line Of works.
I reported at Division and Brigade Headquar-
ters. All the officers were surprised on seeing
US, for it had been circulated through the
corps that We had been all taken prisoners
We captured two rebels on our way In, and
brought them in with IA, and turned them
over to the Provost Marshal. Casualties in
the Battalion were as follows:
Wounded-Private George Sins, A Co.. in
hip private Rufus NJ. Eastman, side, slight,
Co., L. Snow, in knee, severely.
am indebted to both officers and men
for the promptness with which oil orders
were executed.
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servant
j. G.. PARWELL.
Capt. Commanding Battalion.