The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1900-03-15

nf0e great Uotele V0u0 Be 00ugne. Soon
after our azfival = Richmond, the battle
Of 'eBig Bethel WAS fought, and our
destination Was changed from Manassas
to the Peninsula. We camped during
that Summer at historic Yorktown. Our
drill and parade ground was on the field
marked by monument where CORVALLIS
surrendered. The Summer was occupied
In drilling, building Notifications, and in
making frequent marches to Newport
News and Hampton, occupied by the
enemy. The distance is about s. miles.
On ono of these marches, at Lump
kin's Mill, q barbecue was given on the
Fourth Of July. Several speeches were
made, and, in his speech, Colonel Dreux
referred to the anxiety of the soldiers to
engage in battle. He remarked, ''Be not
too eager, We shall sec enough; perhaps
too soon for some Of u.s." Being on guard
that day, l did not hear the speeches;
but, late in tho afternoon Col. Dreux
CHANGED near my post Of duty. and made
. similar expression. This was called
forth by my disappointment in not being
permitted to join an expedition that was
to march that night on important duty"
It was learned that = small force of the
enemy was near, and 100 volunteers were
called for. Several times that number
volunteered, but being on guard duty, I
was not permitted to 60. Col. Dreux
repeated substantially the same remarks
when spoke of the matter, and it seemed
to me that there was resigned express
sion in his tone, almost presentiment.
Next morning he was dead. He was
killed ct the first IRE. The position Of
the detachment was betrayed to the en-
envy by one Of our command disobeying
orders and firing too quickly; otherwise,
the enemy's force would have been cap
tured. With reversed arms, We marched
back to Yorktown, and guard Of honor
accompanied Col. Dreux' remains to New
Orleans. His funeral was, understand,
one Of the largest ever witnessed in that
city.
On another march, the entire army Of
the Peninsula, about 6000, was formed
in line of battle, in . held at the Junction
Of the roads leading to Newport News
and Hampton. Tho distance to either
place il about four miles. It WAS ON
Sunday, and very hot day. We OK
pected to meet the enemy, and. being
disappointed, General Magruder, under
nag Of truce, sent word that We were
ready to try conclusions with the enemy.
This was generally understood while We
wore in line Of battle, and it was chazac-
teristic Of Gen. Magruder to throw down
the gauge Of battle to the foe. believe
that it was done. We remained until
dark, and no enemy appearing, our cav
airy made raid into Hampton and burn
cd the town-the infantry supporting the
cavalry in the retreat. The men-e3- war
and gunboats shelled the woods for an
hour or two, but No were soon beyond
reach.
These towns were occupied largely by
Southern renegades and spies who made
incursions up the Peninsular and report
ed our movements to tho enemy. The
object in burning Hampton was to gel
rid Of an enemy worse than an open foe,
| We had been in service nearly one
year before We had q real engagement
but We had made many marches, keep
ing the enemy back and under tho pro-
tection Of the guns at Hampton Roads.
| On the 9th Of April, 1852, at Lees
Mills, We had our first real engagement
and it was one-sided affair, ~ far u
the infantry was concerned, the battle
being confined to the artillery-yet W
were in 1t.
i Our troops, numbering about $500
were stretched across tho Peninsula
about eight miles in width at that point
Our battalion was protecting the fort q
Lees Mil. Tho Federal army, number.
ing $1,000, had started on it's ION K
Richmond" march. On the 9th Of April
ut sunrise, scouts reported the enem,
advancing. Our position was on tn,
banks Of Warwick 'sCreek," and abou
80 yards from the waters edge. On tn,
other side was field, or clearing, abou
ono mile wide. As soon - tho enem,
was seen, our battery opened. Viewer
nov in our frat hatklA. AZ first EhA ran.