The National tribune., 1884-02-21
ELLENsBURe, WASH. TER.
THE SD NEW YORK,

THE SD NEW YORK,
And Its Gallant Behavior st the Battle of VIII
Iiamsburg.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Who made General Hancock "superb at
williamsburg / answer: Colonel r. Taylor
| of the SD New York volunteers, of which
/ regiment l had the honor to be member.
After crossing Kings Creek on a high dam, the
/ three left companies were ordered forward and
! took possession of the first fort. General Han
cock continued TO move forward, and having
/ advanced half a mile to the left, halted a
short distance from the enemy, near by an
/ abandoned redoubt Lieutenant-ColonelC Corn
ing was thereupon ordered to take the three
| right companies and regmental colors and
/ c0lOr-guard, and occupy and hold the tort. a
few moments later Colonel Taylor proceeded
with the other four companies TO body OF
woods to the right and front, and deployed
| them as skirmishers. Wheeler's and Cowan's
] batteries moved forward 800 yards, directly IN
! front of the redoubt. and commenced Smelling
/ Fort Magruder; they were supported by the
/ 9th Wisconsin regiment whose skirmlshers
connected with my own regiment on our right
and the 9th Maine and the 49th Pennsylvania
+ on the left. From the redoubt, occupied by
companies a, d and L, the ground descended
slightly for few rods and then became level
plain, extending TO Fort Magruder and pre-
/ senting but few obstacles TO the advance or in
i fantry. Our artillery kept up a vigorous fire
until ? o'clock IN the afternoon, and then ceas-
/ ed IN accordance, as It was understood, with
/ orders from General Mcclellan, who had ar
rived on the opposite side Of the creek. No
/ other TROOPS had offered 10 re-enforce Hancock,
/ and he held his position on the enemy's left
! flank all day with the small force previously
/ designated. Night was now approaching, and
1 the men began 10 consider what further dispo-
fr-r; ba Ia Of xxncr nd
denly, the rebels were discovered approaching
! from the direction OF Williamsburg and rapidly
/ forming two lines of battle, which extended
entirely across the plain in front It required
| but glance TO divine their object. With their
| overwhelming numbers they expected TO press
. down upon cur small force and capture it en-
tire, or drive II pell-Dleii into the creek. Cen
eral Hancock Immediately sent word to the
batteries and infantry supports to fall back
/ quickly, which they did, engaging the enemy
as they retired. The three companies of the
33d were ordered out Of the redoabt into line
of battle, but the color-sergcant and guard re-
manned to defend and keep unfurled the ban
ner. The 9TH Maine vas likewise posted in
line Of battle at the right On came the
swarthy rebels, shouting Bull Run" and
Balls Bluff" their lines firm and unbroken;
while orr guns, the 5th Wisconsin, 9th Maine
and 49th Pennsylvania hastily fell back, form
ing on the left Of the 33d as they retired.
TRYING SITUATION.
The enemy's flying artillery also moved for
ward, and then shot and shell fell ali around
the redonbt. 1T was most trying situation.
The foe was steadily bearing down upon US,
and no re-enforcements (were they to be had)
could cross the narrow dam in time to render
assistance. Still the men faltered not, but
nerEed themselves for the shock, determined
that many of the enemy should bite the dust
ere they would surrender. As the rebels drew
, nearer. the men fred rapidly, but failed to
make any impression on their lines which
swept over the plain in most perfect order.
They had now arrived within seventy yards OF
the reGonbt, and our ACKNOWLEDGMENT
many other brave fellows had fallen mortally
wounded The cannoniers, with their guns
and many members OF other regiments were
hurrying hack TO the dam to escape, both the
right and left of the line were waYeTing, and il
seemed as If all was lost. At this critical juno
ture, the Northumberland, turning to Colonel
9 Taylor, who had just arrived from the Skin
Iilsh line, remarked: /" Nothing but charge
: can check them" "A charge it shall be- he
e replied, and instantly waving his sword in the
1 air, shouted: /" Forward, menl" charge bay
: onets, added Lientenant-Colonei Corning, and
q the brave fellows, 10 man, sprang forward on
. thedouble-quick, and we're soon lost in the cloud
6 of smoke which enveloped the plain. Incited
b by this gallant example of the sd in chargi ng
Q a whole division, other regiments followed
S and, alarmed at this sudden counter-charge
), the enemy broke and ran in confusion In
: vain the commanding officer tried to rally
e them. They had started on the retreat fol-
IS Richmond just then, and would not rally. Al
i the time the 33d was close upon them and dis
: charged yolleys on their retreatiug lines The
!, other regiments now Joined US. ana for seyera
c moments most mardeToas fire was poured
G upon the enemy, who never stopped till they
e reached their IDtrenchments. Some tumbled
o on their backs ana feigDed DEATH while other
/ ran towards US with nplifted hands, implorint
e US 70 spare their lives. More than 200 lay deae
t, aad wounded On the field, among them thi
n Northumberland and major of the oath Yir
ginla, and a captain Aiagruders staff.
e WAS a most daring and brilliant exploit decid
, ing the fortunes of the day aud turning wha
Is was up to this time defeat on the left into
IS substantial victory. Thus terminated the bat
tie OF Williamsburg. The 33d captured alone Is
l. prisoners, and won the piaudlts OF the Who'll
e army for its gallant charge
ie On the evening Of Nay 9TH General McClel
n Ian rode into camp on his bay charger Tn
1t SD being drawn up in line he addressed us a
le follows: Officers and men Of the 33d, hav
re come 10 thank you ia person for gallant con
G, duct on the field OF battle on the 9Th inst.
win say TO you what have said to other regi
re mcnts engaged with you: all did well-di
q, al / could expect,-but you did more. Yo
is behaved like veterans-you are veteran:
FSDIAes1S VI a DdbAltS bOuAd ilOb nav
IN done better. Those on your left fought well
Id but you won the day. You were at the RICH
N point, did the right thing and at the RICH
ID time. You shall have williamsburg inscribe
&c on your banner"
As Little Mac rode away, followed by hi
staff, cheer after cheer rent the air. The sam
evening beautiful .roan horse was presente
to Adjutant Sutton by the regiment. And nov
] want 10 say, by way Of conclusion, TIA
the troops under General Hancock always ad
lie hours on that dap a. y;i1ia,,,sbrs,, h,"t ,ott
nc ing can remove that one word, William
OF burg" from the banner OF the old SD reg
a. ment BENZ. MEPHAM,
~ Corp, Co. b, 33d n. Y. s. V. L
ne ONTARIO. N. Y.
n