The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-01


not sufficiently express their delight at
again being in the midst OF Confederate
soldiers. There was nothing about the
house too good for us, and while the quail
ty of the rationS given us was not what
we would have expected in olden times. it
was furnished with such d hearty good
will and with so many expressions of joy
that it was as nectar of the gods to US.
1t is probable that the road forked some
| where near this point, as we saw no more
of the Yankees. and finally reached Me
chanicsville The advance of Branch's Bri-
gade our battery and the cavalry had I'M
covered the Neadowbridge Road. where
upon Gen. A. 2. Hill crossed over and at
tackled the enemy just beyond Mechanics
vile. a short distance before we reached
! the extreme left Of our line the road was
cut out from the hill, leaving a protected
point where the surgeons had established
a field hospital. To the right and forward
of this point McIntoshs Battery was doing
good work, opposed 20 a. battery Of ten
pound PARROTS on the other side of the
creek.
Captain Johnson ordered the writer for
ward to report to General Branch. to state
that the battery was up, and ask where
he desired it to be put into action. Here
occurred one of the first of the Providen-
tial projections that has been before al
luded to. Five times l rode the little mare
to the top of the hill in order to get over
to where Gen. Branch had established his
field headquarters, but failed each time to
force her against the shells bursting along
the whole line to the right of McIntosh's
Battery I then tied her under the hill
and proceeded on foot After some little
difficulty I reached General Branch and
reported. Just as 7 was about to receive
his instructions a courier on horseback
rode up, and at the same time shell
burst Immediately over our heads, killing
the courier and wounding several other
men. Had I been on horseback I would
probably have met the same fate as the
courier
Our battery was put into action. and the
firing continued until late in the night,
probably until 10 o'clock. The only guide
| we had to the location Of the Yankee bat
terry was the fash OF their guns, but after
the time mentioned the firing gradually
grew less and we turned in to strengthen
our position by throwing up earth-works
in front of the guns.
AS soon as it was light the next morn
| ing we resumed the duel and for probably
two hours a hot artillery fight was kept up;
| finally, however, the Federas withdrew.
| Again [ had evidence of the interference
! of Providence McIntoshs Battery htd
taken the reverse Of an earth-work thrown
up by Gen. Mcclellan, but as it was on
SHllth bank OF the creek 1t had not
been used until Mcintosh found it an eX-
ceuent place for his guns. Our battery
crowded in close to McIntosh's. and as
mnnh room as possible was made for the
nrotec1fon of our men. Just before the
Urine. ceased on the morning of the see
ond Of the seven DAYS a sergeant of Nc
| Tr+osb,s Ratterv and the writer were
| etandino sida hy side watching the effect
or The FIRING Of our guns. Through the
! so,ol.a and very short distance off
noticed a Notwithstanding object coming
towards ms and in the twinkling of an
o,.a + racoonized If as = -3-inch rifle or 10
,,o,,nG parrott shell that had lost its
i,oior,.o a,1d was tIlrnfno. end for end,
oon,ire o,1iclz1v towards MS There was
I,a,.Iits go T., sav, ..firon +" b11t 7 ,Iropped
49, ~ the GROUND as nossihle. nv
rsila en5ia7vorefl IN do the Same thing
49, 49, ~ b;s baclz hant The shot struck
-, t1atr,.,on The shoulders and fore ont
-, t,,,o5,,a iy,,;,as If hacl,hora This
- oa,,,s7 o,oo.la, lIi,ac+ tar,
% go 1,,.a.i5ao-a ..,,1-n sbalI ba
losLt,olt tI,a faI4 +ha ono sbaJI ba
800. ~ o+l,arN 1aft,,,
"a e ~ - t go
~ ~ " :" - Gu -
tese ~ .iid S:sAe ilie io51u
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10y so 80 49, 80 -