The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1885-03-14

great general who, with force of 10000
troops of all arms, held in check, and
forced to siege approaches the superbly-
equipped army Of General Geo. B. Nc
Clellan, it was no ohild's play to march
at short intervals to all portions of the line
of defense established along the Warwick
river across the Yorktown peninsula; and
the skirmishes at Bethel, Dam number one, |
Wynne's mill, Ship point, and other points |
of the line where attempts were made to |
break our line OF defense, attest the ar
duous services of this company. Amid snow
and ice the agile Creoles, enduring for the
first time such extreme temperature, cheer
fully performed the duties assigned them
to the complete satisfaction of their eupe-
nor officers.
On the disbanding of Dreux's Battalion
of infantry at the end of its years service,
several members, attracted by the brilliant
reputation of the company as fighters,
Joined the Donaldsonville artillery in time
to participate in the evacuation Of the York
town line, and the incidental retreat of the
army (then under command of General
Jos: Johnston) towards Richmond. At
tached to Pryor's brigade (tifth) of Long
streets division the company was in the
rear guard Of the army, and when on that
eventful march. battle was given on May
5, on the line of works near Williamsburg,
the battery from the redoubt on the left of
the Williamsburg road, was enabled to par
ticipate in its first pitched battle. From
their commanding position the guns were
of vast service to the command, and the
captain received the personal thanks of the
Major General commanding the division.
Without any casualties the battery quietly
fell into line on the following day, and as-
sisted in guarding the rear until within
sight of the spires of Richmond. There
having been no provision made for the
feeding of our men, the march from Will
liamsburg to the capital was distinguished
by the utmost hardships. The roads, rem
dered soft by many rains, had been cut up
by the wagon trains and artillery of the en-
l
forced to chop road through the woods.
The men snbsisted for three days on
parched corn and roots, and yet bore all
with patient and patriotic spirit until
once more in bivouac, where the wicked
(Yankeee) ceased from troubling"
Nothing transpired to relieve the monot-
ony of everyday camp life beyond occa-
sional surreptitious visits to Richmond
and few tame adventures, until on May
81, orders cameas: to move Immediately
with the infantry. After travelling oil the
night of the 3ist, we went into battery next
Fmorning. and participated in the battle oi
Seven Pines. Our guns occupied plateau
in the swamp, where the headquarters o1
the Federal General Casey had been tht
day before, and remained there until or.
dered to retire ut night. ...-
Nearly q month elapsed ere We we're ono.
more summoned to move to the front, th,
interval having beens devoted PARTICULAR,
to the refreshment Of our jaded batter,
horses. The men, inspired by success, ant
confident in our noble leader, never for ,
moment despaired of the ultimate triumph
of our cause. On the evening of June 26
marching orders! were received and VI
moved to the front, crossing the Chicka
hominy near the village Of Mechanicsville
halting near by to bivouac for the night.
Then commenced the series of engage
ments known as the "Seven days battle
around Richmond" wherein, at an enor
nous waste. of human life, the capital wa
saved, and McClellan's fine army wa
driven to Harrison's Landing, fighting a
every available position with skill and in
trepidity.
BY daylight on the morning of the 27t
Of June, we opened fire, supported
Featherston's and Pryor's brigades. bein
placed near Beaver Dam creek, and di
immense execution, losing Joseph Stanley
instantly killed. The action lasted abor
two hours, when the enemy gave way, II
treating from his breastworks, and we az
companied the infantry in pursuit. Aftt
crossing Beaver Dam creek, We moved Il
wards Gaines farm, or Cold Harbor, at
vancing with our brigade to Gaines hous
! and engaging the enemy at short rang
the Federal batteries on the opposite sic
Of the chiekahominy giving us great de-
Of annoyance. We remained here thrt
hours, when orders came to open on Il
eneny's artilleryiwhile our division charge
their works. Our work was very heav
and being on naked plateau and targ
for the Federal sharp shooters, we lost OF
man, killed, and two wounded, in fe
minutes. The charge Of our division q
this occasion, which resulted in the repuli
!, of the enemy, was the most suberb figbtir
!, which fell under my observation durir
). the entire war, and was only equaled by Il
], rush of Meagher's gallant Irishmen again
US at Fredericksburg. Night put stop
, the engagement, and allowed us term
. much-needed repose. st=...=.
On Monday, June 90, occupying a p
sition on the extreme left of our divisio
and under the eye of Gen. Longstreet hin
self, we went into action at three o'clock
NJ, and shifting our position five times,
the course of the battle of Frasier's farm,
Glendale, we kept up the action by moo
light until the enemy retired from tn
4 most stubbornly contested field.
:. Having worked our horses terribly, wit
ont proper food or rest, the battery was O
L