The National tribune., 1897-12-23

"OUR TROOPS FORMED A THIN LINE"
Couch was at Seven Pines, to the rear and
right of Casey's Division. separating it.
Kearny was along the railroad from Savage
Station to the railroad bridge, and Hooker
was on the border of White Oak swamp.
These were the only divisions available in
the first days fight at Fair Oaks.
A great deal Of discredit has been thrown
on McClellan's army in this battle. No
more gallant fighting Was ever done than at
that time. There was no chance for rein
iorcements until the ireshet subsidized, and
the rebel leaders knew it, At that time the
flower of the Southern army was concen-
trated before Richmond, with four weak di-
visions of the Union army to oppose it.
About noon of the 31st the three divisions
of d. H. Hill, Huger, and Longstreet swept
down on Casey The 18th Me, to which |
belonged, occupied the advanced line. Seven
companies OF the regi Aent were on out picket
post, and only Co.'S A, G, and + were in
camp.
About O'Clock Casey ordered the 1O4th
Pa, Tooth n Y, and 18th Me. to charge
Rushing forward, they forced the first line
of the enemy back.
Spratt's battery moved swaths through
the enemy's ranks. The effort was in vain
against overwhelming masses of the enemy,
and Gen. Henry NJ. Naglee, the brigade COM
nander, gave the order to fall back to the
rifle-pits. So close were our forces to the
enemy that dubbed muskets were used at
one time.
We fell back to the rif1e-pits in our rear
and made another stand. The enemy pushed
forward on the right and turned our left.
In falling back we were Obliged to abandon
one gun of Spratt's battery, which had done
heroic work in holding the enemy back.
Col Brown, 100th n. Y, was killed, and
Col Davis, 1G4th Pa, wounded, and halt of
the troops engaged were either killed or dis
abied. The batteries of Fitch and Bates fell
back with us. The two batteries mentioned
Immediately turned their guns on the enemy
with such effect that again and again they
were forced back.
Meanwhile our troops. after they had fallen
back, were forming in a thin line in the rifle
pits. At this time the enemy advanced on
our open lett again. and were nearly in the
rear of the redoubts when they opened on us.
The fire was terrible Col Bailey was shot
dead while giving orders to spike the guns
Mai. Van Valkenburg, his second in COM
mand, was shot through the head soon after,
and his Adjutant wounded The battery
was left without directing officer until
Gen. Naglee took personal charge and inspired
the men to vigorous action until forced to
abandon the guns to the inpouring enemy,
who had been ieinforced.
We succeeded in getting off our brigade
battery (Regan's). As the redOubts were
abandoned the rebels rushed in and turned
the captured guns on us. The 56th n. Y,
sd Pa, and 1lth Me. were the rear guard
The enemy were advancing in great masses
in the rear of the position held by Naglee,
Devens, and Peck, compelling them to order
retrograde movement, which was con-
tinued in fair fighting order
The shattered regiments fell back and
formed new line-ot- battle. So fierce had
been the defense offered by Devens, Peck,
Berry and jameson that the rebels did not
attempt an immediate forward movement
until sufficient time had passed to allow
Summers troops to wade across the bridges
in two feet of water. Those forces having
arrived in time to check the farther advance,
the troops Law on their arms that night.
Morning found the whole Union army
facing the force ,hat the divisions of Casey,
Couch, and Kearnyhad fought the day be-
fore.
On the 31st the Union forces available for
the defense could not have been over II. 900.
while the enemy had at their disposal
not less than 10000. The second days
fight resulted in the drawing back of the
rebel army, and a nearer approach to Rich
mond. The troops promised to Mcclellan
not being furnished, the army fell back to
Harrison's Landing, on the James.-WM Ii.
DOUGHTY, Orr's Island, Me.