The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-02-26
BATTLE OF GAINEs's MILL
The Army Of the Potomac Fighting BY Detail.

Inc Army OF the Potomac ftEhting Dy BetAil.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In recent
issue OF your paper, " Volunteer" in writing Of
the battle of June q. 1852. says If one Of a
number Of officers he mentions had been in
command on that day, the rebellion would
have ended there and then. While ] do not
claim that much, firmly believe had our
forces been properly handled on that day, the
rebellion would have got big black eye, IL
nothing worse. About noon on June %, 1862,
Newton's Brigade Of Frankln's Division. con-
sisting Of 95th Pa, 18th, 3lst and 32d n. Y, in
camp on the south side Of the Chickahominy.
got orders TO reinforce PorteT's Division on the
north side of the Chickahominy. We went
double quick FOR several miles, until a short
distance from Gaines's Mil, aud went into
position on Portor's right flank, as the John
MES seemed 10 be trying TO turn IL. Before
forming line of battle, went through a large
peach orchard loaded with peaches, and the
boys helped themselves on the 1y. but they
were rs hard as bricks, and a storm Of bullets
cut off limbs and peaches all around us.
We swung into line Of battle under heavy
FIRE and the 18th y. Y. aud 95th Pa. were or
dered 30 charge the woods. We started and got
near the edge of the woods, when we got such
a terrific fire il staggered us for 3 moment We
were ordered 10 lie down, and a battery on our
right flank fired several rounds OF canister into
the woods; then we rose up, and giving them
a volley charged into the woods, until We came
20 n swamp that was filled with greenbriars and
underbrush. Now, any OF the old vets who
have wrestled with the greenbriar in its natl We
lair-especially under a storm Of bullets-well
know the amount Of grit and cuss words it
took 20 get through them. To those who have
not, will only say as a Sunday school picnic
IL would not be n success.
After crossing the swamp we drove the John
mics some distance, until we found they were
= m
large space between our left and POrter's right
flank where the Johnnies got through, and we
had 10 fall back 10 prevent them from getting
in our rear. In recrOssing the swamp We be
came somewhat scattered rs il was impossible
in some places. We found the Lieutenant Colo
mel and part of the regiment and waited there
for orders and our stragGlers 10 join US.
Our Colonel and Major were killed, and my
diary says % Of our company killed, wounded
and missing. or course many were only
slightly wounded, as tho Johnnies fred all
kind Of missiles; bird and buckshot, as well
rs bullets. Hardly a man in our company but
who had one or more marks Of shot or bullet
The 3lst and 32d N. Y. went into the woods
after we came out, only 10 meet with the same
kind OF reception.
While waiting for orders we could see the
battle on our left, where the Pennsylvania Re-
serves aud Sykes's Brigade seemed to have
They were on the defensive, and the JObnnies
could not force them back. There was a rebel
battery that annoyed them, and Rush's Lancers
were ordered 10 charge. They went at il with
leveled lances on n sweeping gallop. They got
several voleys Of grape and canister that
emptied number Of saddles, but they went on
and disappeared in the smoke OF the rebel guns
We had often made fun Of them, and called
them turkey chasers," but we took it all back
then.
The battery soon opened fire again, so Judge
the charge failed. A few minutes after we
saw body OF cavalry, with drawn sabers. start
for the same battery. They moved as IL on
parade, until within short range Of il, when
with flashing sabers and furious rush that
seemed 10 carry all before IL, they went over
the rebel guns. The battery tried 10 check
them, aud many a brave fellow went down
before their Gre, but the rest swept on and the
rebel guns were silent for some time. i heard
that they were the 5th u. S. Cav but am not
certain, and would like 70 hear from some OF
the boys who made those charges, If any are
alive vet.
The question has often occurred 10 me, why
were wo sent within those woods in small de-
tachments 10 he cut 10 piecesl Had We acted
on the defensive we could have held the John
mics ia check. Then, again, except some srtil-
lery firing the rest Of the army did not FIRE a
Brigade As we left the field the Irish Brigade
took our place aud held the JohnRies in cheek
until ordered across 10 the south side Of the
Chickahomny about midnight. SHAW, Co.
II, 95th Pa, Reading Pa.