The Union and journal., 1865-02-24
MXINE.
CORRESPONDENTS.
HEADQUARTERS, Ann. CoRrs, LIST BRlo., Sd {,
DIV, ii AnxY CoRrs.

HEADQUARTERS, Ann. CoRPs, LIST BRlo., Sd +,
Feb. II. )
FRIEND BurLxl .-Another change Of bas,
has brought me thus tar to the front, and Civ
en- me new experience in camp life. My jour
ney from the hospital was far from pleasant OF
account of the cold weather, chilling winds
and poor accommodations of the transport tha
took Us up the James to City Point. wepasset
several places Of interest, OF some Of which
spoke In my first communication to you from
the front 10 1863. Il was very pleasant to me
to see the wreck Of that practical cram the Flo.
rida. which was seen near the point Just on
which the Congress and Cumberland were do
stroyed. One can but rejoice at the destruction
OF such vessel, and view Il with sense Of TO
lief such rs any community has, when gross
viOlator OF Law, Is caught and imprisoned for
the inhuman treatment hc has Unlisted upon
innocent and defcncsless people.
I do not remember to have becn more dissp.
pointed In regard to any place Ut historic In.
terest, than was when our transports steamed
up the river, and brought US near tho site OF
jamestown. A few ruins, somc earthworks, q
few tents on q low. barren strip OF land on our
right as VIC asccnded, were pointed out to sev.
eral OF u, as the site Of "the frst permanent
settlement In America" The ruins Of one or
two brick houses, and small brick monument,
marking, rs we were told, the spot on which
Capt. Smith married Pocahontas, as,-something
that never happened, or have forgotten what
Goodrich taught me years ago.-but indicates.
the spot whore Pocahontas saved the life Of
Capt. Smith, are all that remain OF the ancient
town, while the earthworks and tents are OF
modern construction reminding us OF tho con-
T. A - tl.S,~ xN-xr
I wondered why the FIRST settlers OF our coun:
try sailed 30 far up the muddy and crooked
stream, and selected 30 barren aud lonely ap.
pearing situation for their first settlement.
The mildness of the climate, the weil-wooded
region back from the river, indicating q rich
and fertile soil, must have attracted their no.
tice, and invited them TO rest, rs they sought a
home In the "western wilds."
From City Point to this station, patrick's,
there Is strong line OF works we'll defended.
As fast as the army gains ground towards the
doubts built, and both protected somewhat by
abattis. Years hence these works will attract
attention, and remain as monuments erected at
the cost OF our comrads' lives, sacred to the
memory Of all those whose lives were conse.
Grated to their country.
You have heard before this time OF the recent
movement Of the army, and perhaps have
learned tho full particulars Of the engagement
with the rebels, and the result. At the risk OF
repeating some things you may have heard, |
will tell you what little know Of the move:
ment. On Sunday morning Feb. ah. tho ~
and Sd divisions Of this Corps were ordered to
take the Vaughn road, and proceed towards
Hatchie's on Hatchers Run. The ist brigade
of the Sd division was thrown out rs skirmisl,-
ers, and was followed by the ID division, artil
lery brigade. and the remaining two brigades
Of the Sd division. Between 10 and II O'Clock
AIM. the enemy's pickets were driven 10, and
our forces moved along towards the Run, Here
our skirmishers encountered the re6s, drove
them, and took position across the Run. The
I'd division, aud ID and Sd brigades Of the Sd
division, formed line OF battle extending from
our picket line on the right, to our skirmishers
on the lett, and advanced through the woods rs
far as was practicable They commenced
throwing up brcastworks. but before they were
done portion Of Gen. A. p. Hill's Corps at:
tackled them. The object Of the enemy seemed
to be to detach US fro n our limo OF fortihca-
tious by breaking our right, and gaining pos
session OF the road. The enemy hurci his fore
es against the I'd division, and our ID brigade,
hut was repulsed at every point OF attack.
Three times the rebels charged against our
works, and three times our brave boys with
stood the shock, and sent tho assaiants back
through the woods. Gen McAlister's Jersey
brigade did splendidly, and merits much prai'e Q
for successfully resisting the repeated attacks
Of the enemy. And this, too. when Q portion
Of the brigade was unprotected. But little ar.
tillery was used. heavy muskctry firing WIS
kept up for several hours, md ceased only
when the rebs. had made their last charge by
moonlight. A few stray bullets whizzcd through
the trees over our heads, but none struck near
me, Our wounded were oil taken back to this
station, where our division hospital Is situated.
Meanwhile one division of the 9th Corps,
and one Of the 9th, we're ordered TO assist us
The Cavalry and 9Th CORDS, which moved down
the Jerusalem plank road, or along the Weld
railroad, as far as Ream's station, and turned
towards Dnwidde Court House, attempted to
make connection with Us on the lett, and did
gade moved from the left to the right. and dur
ing the forenoon. made Reconnaissance In
front Of our works The rebels were reported
behind their works between one anil two miles
In front Of our forces. II was supposed that
our left would next be attacked, bat one whole
line was strengthened, and preparation was
made to receive the enemy at any point what
ever. The 5th Corps on the lett was attacked
Monday afternoon. The rebs. were driven. but
rallying, drove our forces back. Ono division
Of the 5th Corps broke just as dark, and came
however, was reformed, and the 9th maintains
It's former position. The next day preparation
was made to charge the enemy's works, and,
although Il. rained hard all day, tho charge was
made ju.t rs night closed In upon Us, and the
enemy's works were carried by the troops that
had been unsuccessful the day before.
Our loss on Sunday was not great. Our
Corps In nll did not lose over 1875 men, perhaps
100 would cover our loss. The 5;h Corps lost
between 500 and 600 on Monday and Tuesday.
Gen. Gregg was reported slightly wounded, but
must have been greater than ours, for they
were the attacking party most Of the time.
They were unable to bury oil their dead In front
OF our Corps, and they were buried by our men
on Monday.
The 18th, 18th, 10th and Goth Maine Infantry
and lst Heavy Artillery were engaged. The
18th lost heavily both Monday and Tuesday,
but the other Maine regiments suffered much
less than the 10th. Col. Tihen was slightly
wounded on Monday, and his horse was shot
under him tho day following.
line now extends TO Hatchers Run, and every
thing indicates determination on our part to
hold IT.. Tho object In view now seems TO be tho
South Side Road, and will be attained sooner
or later. This done and the rebs. will be cut of
from the South, and the Confedcracy, In sol
dicr language, ''gone up" We will make no
predictions ut this time. but We believe the end
approaches. The soldiers arc confident OF suo-
cess, while the rebels are despondent. They
did not fight recently as In those terrible bat.
ties Of May and June last. They have not the
heart TO d. %. as long as their cause Is hope
less. Yours truly. E.E
The PEACE AGITATION IN ruEREBEL STATES.
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