The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-02-14
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What 0ur Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns.
The Isl Long Island Tor eth n. " Vols. at Fsil
OAKS.

frst aay saturday at Fair Oaks, ] was much
interested though in some things must ma
teriaiiy differ with him IN relation 10 that part
Of the field immediately about Seven Pines.
/ cannot let his account go into history with
the mention OF many regiments and batteries,
vet leaving out one of each Of those arms OF
the service whose bravery was the admiration
of no less than the SIX general officers on that /
dav and several others subsequently. only /
wish 1t were In ADLER hands to bestow the |
credit I'm this feeble effort it is necessary nTst
10 give the position Of Abercrombie's brigade,
composed OF the following regiments: Goth 1
New York 23d Pennsylvania, 3ist Pennsyl- /
wanna. 6Ist Pennsylvania and LIST Long Island /
Tor 9th n " volunteers.
The BRIGADE was posted on the right OF the /
LETT wing which extended from the railroad |
station 10 White Oak swamp. The position OF /
the Ist Long Island regiment was near the |
Seven Pines, on the Nine Mile road, and just
in the angle OF the road leading to Fair
Oaks Station. The remainder Of the brigade
was posted in advance, TO the right. and early
IN the action two regiments were sent TO the
right of Carey in front of a swamp, (the Goth
New York being nearer the LIST Long Island
regiment than any other,1 while the remainder
OF the brigade was far 10 the right OF rs: alter
the action commenced the Goth list u :.
Cbasseurss heing sent even beyond Fair Oaks
Station When Casey's division, which was
half mile in front, was driven IA,
which took place within an hour and a half OF
the opening Of the battle, the two regiments
Of our brigade spoken Of as posted IN front OF
the swamp were ultimately overwhelmed and
did not agaear AGAIN as regiments on that day.
The swamp proved less impossible than WAS
previously supposed and the enemy, prohtng
bv tine cover offered ha3 ample opportunity 10
fora "a re in greet force, and advanced on
the riglli 81 our regiment which was tae only
regiment - line OF batfie at that point Sill
lers battery was on q rise of ground to our
81. nd al
ualiy upon the attacking force. The enemy
had their eyes upon them, and when nearly
every horse was killed or disabled they made
for them desperately; but Miller said ii his
report " We saved them"
TIE KEY TO THE POSITION.
We were separated, as already stated, on our
right. by the swamp from the remainder Of our
brigade which was thas aEectually prevented
from cooperating with US in resisting the
enemys advance. Had the lst Long Island
regiment given way 81 this time the left
wing OF ths Army OF the Potomac would have
been turned II would have proved the
destruction Of the whole army. The regiment,
consisting OF nine companies one having
been detailed early in the morning for duty at
General heyes' headquarters It's position
without wavering q storm Of shot and shell
from The batteries which had demolished
Cascy's division in their front, and a terrific
fire from an overwhelming force posted, under
cover, Oh LAtclf Il-At, Malliu p1S4oi-SnOl uiH-
tance WIS enough to test the nerves Of older
veterans Wei might General Kearney char
acteTize them as noble regiment" when, as a
part Of his men took position whore the 10th
Massachusetts and Casey s men had been driven,
he came 20 consult with cur eolOnel-Casey.
Miiler's battery was a few rods TO our right
rear. and was giving the enemy shell and CAMS
ter in rapid succession, and Captain Miller stood
his post until nearly half Of his horses had
been killed OF disabled, firing over our heads
as we lay upon the ground A brave man
he and we had only one fault TO find
with hila. he poured out upon the enemy a
voliey Of oaths almost equal to his shot and
shell Ills battery was at one time within the
grasp OF the Ctr South Carolina and had we
not risen from the ground and made slight
charge Il the approaching column, which were
within 100 feet Of rs, and a few Of our men
ieut bin assistance, las I2-poanders would not
have been run to the rear and saved. 1t was then
We lost I4ost heavily Bayonet and butt Of mus
ket were used just IN time to save US. Miller got
three guns in position and gave the 9th South
GarDliua. zSth and 29d North Carolina, 35th
and eth Georgia volloy OF canister IN the left
flank which broke their lines. The Hampton
Legion seon after tried 10 Gislodge aud hank
rs. We lad then fallen back across the stream
some 200 feet. and were lying down just beyond
rise OF ground, little IL rear OF where Aiilers
battery was stationed. As they reached the
stream, Which here was 1n1re than knee-deep, we
ia his vpicgs Of grape and canister. After the
enemy had made second attempt 10 rise the
Itslc all. some fresh troops were heard upon oul
right coming up with q cheer. and a lew shots
from That direction made them aware Of re-
endorsements. They halted, and gradually fell
back across the stream Up into the woods, we
giving tball Tol4cy sitter yoIiey Is regularly as
Ga dill and then, firing by front and real
rank from lefg O. right,a drill peculiar to u.s.
We Gi8 fearful execution. The regiment had
low been under ire for five hours; had used
eighty rounds Of ammunition; had seen tai
debris Of tour entire regiments seek shelter il
the rear-Tot 10 mention the stream OF human
ily from Gasey's routed division, which siitel
through tae.r line ike water. AnoveTwheiniins
force Lad been pressing and gradually extending
o. taelr unprotected right; the gaps opened b.
Inc head AID iron hal, AS IL tore thTOugh their
Ranks, were growing feaTiully wider and NOR
frequent. and more than third Of their mum
Der were killed and wounded yet they waitet
the order 10 retire. Says Colonel julius W
Adams, WHO had commanded the brigade here
toiole ~ . leeter 10 tie New York Tines. DE
ccDlber 20. 1852, IN reply 10 letter Of tn
Prince &c J0iBviile giving an account Of til
battle oi May 3ist: T" i do not hesitate 10 dc
clare that 10 The irlnness and gallanlry OF TIA
First Long Island regiment is due the prcserva
ton Of the Army Of the Potomac on that DAY
HoLDTEs THEIR OWN AGAINST FEARFUL ODDS
Not chat they fought better than others, bat
Was their good fortune 10 occupy the key
point Of the battle, and 20 hold il against fear
ful odds until the tide was turned by the al
rival Of re-enforceznents. In confederation,
Wll state that no less than six general officers
Old soldiers al, not political appointees-weI
grouped with Us at frequent intervals durin
the battle Several without command aide
me IN encouraging the men, and RENAME
with until the last. Two were wounde
beside me and their horses killed. Geners
Reyes commanding the army corps IN the no
test Of the fire, addressed the men Of the reg
ment individually and encouraged them b
praising their good conduct and promisin
speedy re-enforcements. The continued pre-
ence Of these general officers at this point ION
Of whom was the lamentcd Kearney4 indieat
pretty clearly the importance of the position
From the dead 1t was subsequently ascertaine
that the force opposed 10 us aud In our inin
date front was the 18th and 22d North Car
lima. 9th and s2d Virginia, 5th, 9TH and l4i
Tennessee 6th and 35th Georgia, 9Th Son:
Carolina and Hampton Legion. The next ds
Sunday I was passing through Gener
Sicfies liae (haying been detailed to 20 al
gather gp our wounded and bury the dead
when a captain Of the 9Th South Carolii
asked me what regiment it was with repes
ing rilses tiat was posted just in front Of whe
he Was lying about 3 O'Clock in the afte
noon, when he received his wound. j inforiB'
him 4 was the FIRST Long Island regimen
and thai liev only had gnfi n field rifles