Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-05-24

COl. Joseph w. corning mas ~Sn APP
pointed postmaster of PALMYRA, " y.
by President Harrison The Colonel
was brave soldier and his brilliant
charge at the battle of Williamsburg
saved the day for the Union. The bat
tie of Williamsburg occurred on May 3,
twenty-seven years ago, the day
after the Confederates evacuat-
ed Yorktown, Va. and abandoned their
lines. All the available cavalry force.
with four batteries of artillery, under
Gen. Stoneman, was ordered by Gen
Mcclellan in immediate pursuit. The
infantry divisions of Gems. Hooker,
Smith, Couch, Kearney and Casey We're
ordered TO his support. Stoneman met
with but little opposition until arriving
in front of the enemy's works about two
miles east OF Williamsburg, when he
took up a defensive position TO await
the arrival OF the infantry. \ heavy
rain setting in the roads became inn
passable. The next morning, May ,,
1862 was commenced the first serious
engagement Of the Peninsular campaign
Hooker began the attack at 1870 and
fought the enemy all day until 4:30 +.
NJ, when Just as his ammunition was
about exhausted, kearney came to his
relief, and held the ground. In the
meanwhile Hancock 5 brigade took pos
session OF an unoccupied redoubt on the
enemy's left, and finding a second one
vacated he occupied that also, and sent
back for reinforcements TO enable
him TO advance farther and take
the next redoubt. In this brigade was
Col. Corning's Thrty-third New York
Regiment. The enemy now threatened
Hancock's rear right flank, and instead
of receiving renforcements, he was or
dered back TO his first position. The
enemy came on in force, shouting
Balls Buff Bull Rum" Col.
Corning had three COMPANIES "a,
F and ID under his charge just
outside of one of the redoubts while
the other companies of the Thirty
third were in the woods and in q
redoubt. The Union troops commenced
to retreat, which at one time looked like
a stampede. The enemy were hundred
yards away. Col. Corning ordered his
little command to fix bayonets Drawing
his sword, he gave the command, For
ward Thirty-third: double quick, charge
bayonetsw and with loud yell the
colonel and the brave fellows to a man
sprang forward and were soon lost TO
view in the cloud of smoke which en-
NclODt'' Tic lHClleu Nv the veil
OF those three companies of the Thirty
third, the rest of the troops charged.
This did the work. The enemy fled,
leaving many dead and wounded on the
field. The Thirty-third captured $50
prisoners in this brilliant charge, all
that were taken in that memorable en-
gagement. In one hour after the rout
of the enemy 0,000 renforcements had
arrived.
The Union loss in this battle was
$500, of which Hooker lost 800. The
Confederate loss was 400.
Two days after the battle May y
Gen. Mcclellan made the following
speech TO the Thirty-tbird New York,
he not knowing at the time but that the
whole regiment made the charge.
"Otficers and Soldiers of the Thirty
third have come so thank you in per.
son for gallant conduct on the field of
battle on the 9TH instant.
II will say 10 you what / have said to
other regiments engaged with you-'All
did we'll: did all i could expect But
you did more: you behaved like veter-
ans-you are veterans! Veterans of a
hundred battles could not have done
better! Those on your left did well,
bsa you IRON the ddW You were at the
right point, did the right thing and at
the right time. You shall have Will
liamsburg inscribed on your banner.
Again, / thank YOU"