The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-07-21

Some Of those "slightly wounded are now
on duty with their companies. To the men
for their Goodness and gallant bearing under
were 60 close to t the enemy on the ed that re-
volveD were used freely. Lieut. Parker, with
bis. spoiled the evil intention of rebel who
deliberately levelled his Enfield at him, at q
distance of thirty feet
FIRST BATTLE OF DEEP BOTTOM.
On June 26th, the battalion with the I'd
corps) madea reconnaissance TO the north bank
OF the James River. They marched Eight"
with six days rations. Reached the Appomat'
tox in the evening, crossed it at Point of Rocks,
and reached the James, crossing it at the Neck,
eighteen miles from Petersburg. It was a
forced march, and the men suffered severely.
They at once commenced to skirmish with
the enemy, and drove them, three of the Skin
mishers actually capturing 4-gun battery.
They remained skirmishing in the vicinity
until June 18th, when they moved toward
Malvern Hill, as support to Gen. Sheridan,
who made brilliant movement. capturing
number Of the enemy. On the 10th they re-
turned to the front of Petersburg. The whole
expedition (under Hancock) was . successful
one. Many of the battalion were completely
used up, however.
THE SECOND BATTLE OF DEEP BOTTOM.
After the battle the battalion went into their
old camp, and remained until August II,
when they were marched to City Point and
took transports for Deep Bottom, arriving
there at 5P. N. on August IA. A battle was in
progress between Gen. Sheridan and the rebs
The Sd brigade volunteered to perform haz-
ardous duty-charging the rebel works. The
First Battalion was its extreme right. They
charged through an old mill pond, up hill to
within two rods of the rebel breastworks, nm
der fierce fire. Not being supported, they
were fanked and compelled to fall back.
Their loss was seven killed and eight wounded.
They returned to Petersburg on the 10th,
and were at once ordered to the support Of
Warren, who had taken the Weldon Road.
After various manDuyres, they arrived at
keams' Station. o.. -. .
THE BATTLE OF RKAMs srAfIoN,
on the sd of August. They were deployed a.
skirmiahers. At o'clock Gen. Hill made
fierce charge on the third brigade. but was re-
pulsed twice. A third charge late in the day
was checked, bat our line wave.ed, and the
First Battalion were sent to reinforce it. The
battalion retook portion of the works lost by
us, and two pieces of artillery, just at dark.
In this engagement the battalion lost eighteen
prisoners, five OF whom were starved to death
at Salisbury.
The battalion then went into camp at Peters.
burg again, and remained few days. They
were then moved to the front of Fort Rice,
and again encamped.
THE BATTLE OF HATCHKRs RUN.
On the 25th of October, the Seventh Michi'
gan and the First Minnesota were consolidated
temporarily, and placed in command of Major
Farwell. Marched to left of army, on Weldon
Railroad, and thence across country in direc.
ton of South Side Railroad. Came upon enc.
mys works. Charged them with small loss.
Afterwards were deployed as skirmishers. The
enemy attacked them, o sharp contest ensuing.
Major Farwell's command captured four hum
dred prisoners. His battalion was left on the
skirmish line until dark, and the Corps with
drew and left them there alone, unknown to
him. Next morning his scouts reported their
perilous and exposed situation. The enemy
were seen advancing from all sides. Major
Farwell, in his official report says:
had one Captain, three Lieutenants, and
one hundred and twenty men. being the se.
nior officer, it fell upon me to pilot the COM
mand through; every man agreeing to obey
nv orders and follow me.
gave the command forward, and we started
out of the timber, all well armed and supplied
with ammunition which we had taken from
the captured rebels.
The enemy charged the little force, but were
repulsed with some loss, and Major Farwell's
command came into the lines on the 18th, re-
ported to headquarters on the 29th, the whole
loss being four men wounded.
THE WINTER OF 1864-5
The First then lay in the trenches at Fort
Steadman until December, when they were
moved to the left of the lines and remained
until February. On February 5, they were sent
to Hatcher's Run, and had q round ofskirmish-
ing for several weeks. On February %, the
battalion was reduced to the following feeble
condition:
Sergeants. q
Corporals. 6
Mel. ..................... 10
81
That day, however, Capt. Peteler's company
of Sharpshooters was consolidated with it. On
the 26th, sixty recruits Joined them, and on the
9th, a new company CO. reported for duty.
rkcr CAMpArCN
On the 31st of March they again commented
q series of skirmishes, marches, &C., in the
last grand attack on Lees lines. The First
was on q skirmish line most of the time, and
did good execution, but was not engaged in
any severe battle.