The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-01-28

during the battle, and that if lis orders
Ito 20 ahead with the bayonet,' after
the first yolley had been obeyed the
battery would have been captured.
When within a mile OF our poSitic IL.
General Pierce halted his column, and
then, within 500 yards of our WORKS,
formed his troops in line of battle. Dur
yeas Fifth New York was placed GA
the right tour left of the rual. Nash
burns NermonterS and Massachusetts
men, after some preliminary movements,
were also sent to the right and Laced
in extension Of Duryea's line. Town
sends Third New York was formed on
the left tour right of the road. BendiX's
Seventh New York. which hal brought
up the rear i'll theS march from the
scene of his daybreak fusiiade, was now
ordered to the front. (c) The head of his
column was dispersed, as we have seen
by RandOlph's opening shot, after which.
as BcndiX reports, he did the best he
could dos skirmishers in the woods (oh
our lefD, finally taking position With
Washburn's command. Bendix had one
piece of artillery with him whoa he first
moved TO the front. This seems to have
been joined by the three other pieces,
when all were served, under Greble's
command. in or near the orcn2ri 20 the
left tour right of the road.
The first movement upon our lines
was made by two companies Of Town
sends regiment, advancing as skirnish-
ers against our right.
They were promptly driven back by our
artillery. one of StIAm's companies and
companies + and G of the First North
Carolina.
Meanwhile Duryea's and Washburn's
troops advancing against our left made
several attempts to charge our works.
but were prevented by the creek.
(a) During these attempts, they
approached the old ford below the
bridge, where Colonel Hill had posted
picket of some forty men under Lieu
tenant Roberts. This led Colonel MAJ
gruder to reinforce the latter with
Werth's company of Montagues batta-
lion and the howitZer at the bridge,
which latter drove back the enemy with
one shot. (b)
Townsend now moved forward his
whole regiment in line of battle against
our right, with one hundred of Dur
yeas Fifth regiment (zouaves) as skirm-
ishers ON his right. In this forward
movement, Townsend reports that one of
his companies presumably the one on
his left Aank) got separated from the
rest Of the regiment by ''thickly -hedged
ditch probably the ravine mentioned
in Stuart's report, but contipued to
march forward in line with it, Captain
Browns gun having been disabled and
Withdrawn some time before, Colonel
Stuart reported to Colonel Magruder the
advance of this heavy force (Which he
estimated at fifteen hundred accompanied
by artillery, and the advance, also, OF
"A line Of skirmisheTs down the rayine
on my right" obscurod from his own
view but discovered by his scouts. He
was accordingly directed by Colonel Ma
gruder to fail back to the works Occur
pied BY Montague back OF the church,
and the whole Of our advanced troops
that is, those across the creek, on the
right OF the road were withdrawn.
At this critical moment, Colonel Hill
called Captain Brideers, with his COM
pany y of the First North Carolina, out
OF the swamp Ton the left and directed
him TO occupy the nearest advanced
work ton the right of the road. He also
ordered Captain Ross, with his Company
{ OF the First North Carolina, To the
support Of Lieutenant Colonel Stuart.
THESE two captains, with their com
panies," says Hill, crossed over to Ran.
d0lph's battery. under II most heavy
fire. il q most gallant manner. AS
Lieutenant Colonel Stuart had with
drawn, Captain Ross was detained a-
the church near Randolph's battery
Captain Bridgers, however, crossed over
and drove the zouaves out of the ad-
yanced howitzer battery, and re-occupied
it. II is impossible to over-estimate this
service. 1t decided the action in our
favor
Of this decisive movement Colonel
Magruder says in his hasty report made
the same day:
: Whilst it might appear invidious TO
speak particularly of any regiment or
corps where all behaved so well, l am
compelled to express my great aTprecia-
ton Of the skill and gallantry of Major
Randolph and his howitzer battalion,
Colonel Hill. the officers and men of
the North Carolina regiment. AS an
instance of the latter / will merely men
ton that a gun under the gallant Cap
tain Brown, of the howitzer battery.
having been rendered unfit for service
by the breaking OF printing wire in the
vent Captain Brown threw it over a
precipice. and the work was occupied for
moment by the enemy. Captain Bridg-
ers, OF the North Carolina regiment. in
the most gallant m3mner, retook it and
held it until Captain Brown had replaced
and put into position another piece
and defended it with his infantry in the
most gallant manner Colonel Hills
judicious and determined action was
worthy of his ancient glory
In Colonel Magruders second report,
dated June 10Th, he again refers to the
subject, saying:
i canont omit to again bring to the
notice of the general commanding-in-
chief the valuable services and gallant
conduct of the First North Carolina reg
intent. and Major Randolph, of the how
itzer batteries. These officers were not
only prompt and daring iii the execution
Of their duties. but most Industrious and
energetic in the preparations for the
conflict. The firing Of the howitzer bat
tcries was as perfect as the
bearing of the men, which was entirely
what it ought to have been. Captain
Bridgers, of the North Carolina Tegi-
ment, retook in the most daring man