Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-18

way through the muddy Main street Of
Williams burg. Just as We sot near the
last houses Of the town we had a short
halt. during which time We deposited our
knapsacks ia the front room Of one Of the
residences. the ladies kindly promising TO
take g1Od caro- Of them.
BATTLE RAGING IL THE WOODS.
After g1.ry short distance further we
turned % our right, and found 4 line Of
battle Just Ia tie rear OF Fort Nagruler,
which was held that day by the Richmond
Fayetts Artillery and two guns OF the
Richmond IoUitZer-. stopping here only
a few minutes before We we're ordered
into the woods on uIr rlshi. whore the
battle was raging. soon after reaching
tho elge OF the woods We came under
FIRE. and the regiments OF our brigade
ecparatel Each regiment. 50 70 speak.
fought on It's own hook. We were ordered
10 suprort the Nineteenth Mississippi
Regiment. which was being forced back
by the enemy. Before We could reacn
them some OF the companies broke and
r.n through our ranks. closely pursued
by the enemy. who, getting into the ieiled
timber or atbat.s. were In turn charged
by our regiment. and driven Of in great
confusion. Following them through tha
felled timber. We came out fieat into q
SIN gun NtLL-t1f VI lilNu " Q '~l|t ~ W.
gether with u large United States battle
nag. We also took q small brigade guide
flag. This was OF blue silk, with
golden ayr embroidered thereon. This We
carried with US 20 Richmond.
THE ENEMY APPROACHED.
After seeing the guns safely brought
off. We charged across an open field into
another piece Of woods While hating
ia the edge Of the woods we observed
several lines OF the enemy passing be-
tween US and our line. which was IN
the field timber. At first We though,
they were some our men, until We were
fred upon by them. W. then fell back
recrOssing the field between the enemy :
lines into the fallen timber. a short dis
lance from where We captured the bat
terry. But now the enemy, having been
reinforced. sWaTmed al! around US. The
bullets seemed % come from ali dir e.
tons. We lost 4 good many OF our men.
Colonel l.. j. Williams. the fearless lead
or OF the old First was struck down, and
the command was turned over 10 Major
William II. Palmer who. though wound
ed himself. never left the field until the
ending OF the struggle In the dismal
woods. Most Of our muskets had become
useless from the continued rain, ana
our ammunition WAS nearly all expended,
but supplying ourselves with the vnemy' 5
muskets and ammunition, the fight con-
tinued until even long rfter daylight dis
appeared. The remnants Of the regi-
ments then retired under command OF
Major Palmer. ami sought quarters in
the town. filled with wounded, dying pris-
oners. and the wet and tired-out men
who had 50 CALAMITY held the enemy at
bay. l myself found a dry spot in a
rear building in the upper part of the
town, where, with several members OF
my company, | spent the night.
THE ARMY HAD LEFT.
Early in the morning we got up and
found that our army had left during the
night We st once hunted for our KNAPP
sacks. and after some de.ay found them
where We hid LEFT them on the previous
morning, with our kind lady friend. The
room was full Of them. and believe we
were about the las; ones 10 call for them !;
50 they must have been appropriated by
the enemy after taking possession OF the
town. Besides. there must have been more
or less war material OF all kinds left. and
among this was perhaps the Virginia flag
alluded 10.
After securing our knapsacks and coming
out into the street We heard great noise.
and turning our eyes eastward toward
Fort Magruder, which was in plain view,
we saw the enemys lines charging the
fort. and the Joyous noise We heard was
no doubt caused hy the r.slstless capture
Of the works denuded OF lis defenders,
now miles away Looking on awhile We
wers sharply told BY some Of our cavalry
yldettes TO get away as fast as legs could
carry us. If we id not wish 10 be prison.
ers; and after taking another good look
ut the lines in blue We turned about 20
follow our army, leaving Williamsburg