New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-01-26

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the column to follow. We moved heavily along
ali day in this direction hearing all the while
the roar of battle far away to the left and expect
ing every moment to be engaged ourselves. Some
thought we were going to Lynchburg, some said
we were making flank movement upon the enemy,
whowere reported to be ahead of us and intrenehed
across the railroad awaiting attack. Still on we
rudged, however, and still we met no enemy. Each
hour ofthe day the boom Of cannon was broughtto
ears and still did not participate in the strife
Thus we toiled on through Amelia Courthouse and
Buckingham counties, pressing on toward Lynch
burg which now it was apparent was our destlna-
ton. We heard every day Of the desperate
battles that were being fought on our LETT ana IN
| the rear, and could not imagine why 1t was that
| we were not engaged. Saturday noon brought us
| utterly broken down and exhausted to Appomat-
tox g. H., and it was here that we learned OF the
disastrous battles Of Amelia Cross Roads Sailors
Creek and Rice's Station The battered remnant Of
the army came slowly up as we were resting, ana
we could see unmistakable evidences Of the fear
full decentralization that was going on in the crowds
of unarmed stragglers, and the utter confusion OF
the order of march. We perceived now for the
first time that we had been kept in reserve during
the march, and sent upon different road in order
to escape the enemy's cavalry who were dashing
in upon the trains and often capturing them with
out struggle. Scarcely had the head Of the in
fantry column appeared when we again moved
forward. and having gone about two miles farther
parked and went into camp. We knew. that bat
tie must be fought the next day, and that we must
bear the brunt as up to this time we had not been
engaged.
Soldiers, however, seldom look ahead of the
present moment, and we threw ourselves upon the
ground in delight at the prospect of resting the
balance Of the day, even though we had to fight
for it in the morning. Those who had anything to
eat were busily cooking it, and those who had not
were comfortably snoozing in the warm sun; when,
without moments warning, the pickets in front
of us commenced popping away, and the cry was
raised that the enemy's cavalry were upon us
We Immediately sprang to our guns, limbcred up
and got ready for action. Instantly the guns Of
six battaons which composed our reserve artillery
were wheeled into line, so as to form hollow
square, presenting face Of twenty four pieces to
the enemy which ever way they should come.
Hardly was this maneuyer completed, when down
Numbered two divisions Of cavalry. Simulta-
neously our guns, double shotted with grape and
canister, poured forth murderous volley into
their ranks and Geary's South Carolina cavalry
and three battalions Of heavy artillery charging
upon their flank, they retired in confusion. They
soon returned, however, reinforced by infantry and
several batteries Of artillery.
The battle now ragged with great ferceness
The enemys cavalry charging up to within sixty
yards of our batteries, and deliberately picking off
the gnnners at their posts under the fire of nearly
one hundred pieces Of artillery. Round and round
they rode, now dashing desperately at point
which appeared to be wavering, now broken and
disorderly. rallying and charging on foot with the
infantry. Z,
For two hours and q half the battle ragged both
parties displaying the most determined and obsti
nate bravery. Night finally put an end to the con
test, and the enemy's attention having been drawn
on to the wagon trains, they left us and pounced
down upon them.
never was battle fought under stranger crcum-
stances than this, and never was there bloodier,
or for the time, more desperate one It was fought
on our side almost entirely by artillery we having
only about SIX hundred infant and brigade of
cavalry, amounting to about the same number.
On the contrary we had nearly a hundred pieces
of artillery which poured a most destructive and
terrible fire into the dense masses of the enemy
as they charged up. Welostterribly in cannoniers,
as the sharpshooters Of the enemy picked them off
at their leisure, and having no intrenchments,
ltey were necessarily more exposed than usual.
Il VT Datttery was tne iast 70 cease hrlng and
4as Juss preparlns W ne ooWn ana resi- ior me
1plsns' Wnen neard tne tramping OF horses, and
= loohihe round saw .ne ANIMALS belonging to my
piece coming up q troe ana ALREADY harnessed.
ny seiseahs gave Tue command 70 . hmoer up
ao,,.a aaaa.,, "mDn pens qu,ehiy zone We
n u Y. v. sloWly ana sienuy from me held. We
9insa 'ne eolu,nh Wnch was moving forward in
i'm saasa.,- ans y sng less = me
II luz
m IN eyhanstsd nh,;v;or !. a.. s.vy Moin
~ ~ oDyto y. 81 teas' game upon
~ ~ .sAl :. Notsnern p.ison (WHICH
Z, III. oss ssi u, Aeps ~ gong
- ssss os naus WIZ ny less = lne company
~ uioppms uoWn Mlere ~e stopped, ana my
s ,sa ~, e,le neAs way ~ waxing 70 ma the
y q ~ neases anu llle men SUI Sleeping