The National tribune., 1900-03-29


| and finally brought up on the extreme
! right of the line. where We were advanced
down the slope of the hill, in an oat-field
and cautioned 10 expect an attack at any
| moment We We're ready and in expecta-
| ton, but We're not attacked during the
entire day. The attacks, which We're
persistent and several times repeated all
spent themselves before reaching our por-
| ton of the lines. The entire day was
| consumed by the enemy in vain efforts to
| find a weak spot where they could sue
cessfully assault our lines. Their last
attempt was made Just al night. and
resulted i'll a decisive and bloody re-
| pulse, after which they drew off toward
| Richmond.
From our position we could see little of
| the fighting, and 1 will attempt no details
| The firing which We heard was very
| heavy, and as much of it was at close
range, with the rebels attacking. it must
| have been very destructive TO them
The brigades of Caldwell and Meagher
We're sent to the assistance of Gen Porter's
| troops. and. | think. they We're the only
ones of lhe Second Corps that took any
| fighting part in the battle.
Artillery bore Il prominent part in the
action, at least in the noise of it. The
| effectually repulsed the enemy and ended
| all pursuit. 1t was the last of that rapid
series of battles known as the Seven
Days"
END OF THE SEVEN DAYS"
Another night was spent on the battle
| field, and with little rest. as we changed
position several times, taking the place
of retiring troops and acting as outposts.
| We did not leave the hill till some time
after daylight. No enemy was visible or
showed hmSc in pursuit. TWAS raining,
and had been for some hours. We were Wet
weary and hungry to u degree of which
| men in ordinary life have no conception
and being near the rear of the column, we
| had a tireSome. tedious. muddy march to
HarriSon'S Bar over badly-cut-up roads.
Our exhaustion was to an extent that
had almost reached the limits of human
endurance. Every step We took required
a special effort of will and muscle Per-
sonally / was never more completely
played out. The ordnance stores, camp
and garrison equipage i'll my individual
possession were n rusty rifle. few rounds
of ammunition, a rubber blanket "a battered
canteen and an empty haversack. The
column halted at last iii wheatfield, and
We Were told To make ourselves as COM
Portable as we could. 1t was raining
We were in the midst OF {. water-soaked
field covered with trampled grain. with
out food, shelter or any of the ordinary
comforts of life; but it was an absolute.
positive enjoyment 10 have the privilege OF
lying down in the mud.
II was then o'clock or later. Inverting
my rifle and thrnsting my bayonet into
the ground. | pulled together some of the
wheat, spread my rubber blanket upon it.
looSened my belts, and lay down on the
front side Of my back, piilowing my head
on my arms. planned to rest awhile and
then skirmish for something to eat.
LUXURIOUS REST.
] remember pleasurable sensation at
the thoughts of rest. undisturbed rest
then | was oblivious to all emotions or
sensations for II or IS hours, when was
awakened by u comrade.
The rain had ceased and the sun was
shining through the broken clouds There
We're a few cannon shots soon afterward,
but it was only a distant scouting party
and caused no great alarm. | was still
tired and sleepy, my feet We're sore and
swollen, but a bath in the James, rations
and about quart OF hot, strong coffee,
toned me up so | felt more like somebody.
This was July 3. The movement and
fighting began with June %, when the
advance was made toward Old Tavern
The fighting ended with,the battle at Nal
vern Hill on July /, and the movement
ended with the march to Harrison's Land
ing July 2, 1862.
The Union losses, as given by Gen.
Mcclellan, were: Killed. i, ,734; wounded,
S,O62; missing, 6,053; total, 15,S49 The
same authority. places the Confederate
loss at 2,S23 killed, 37O3 wounded, 1928
Gen Mcclellan also saws that the Army
of the Potomac at that time consisted of
143 regiments of infantry, SO batteries, and |
less than eight regiments of cavalry. The |
opposition had 1877 regiments of infantry, |
30 batteries. and ii regiments of cavalry |
1t will thus be seen that they held over us !
TO the extent of A regiments of infantry, |
"a batteries and 6 regiments of cavalry |
Their excess of strength was in itself a |
large corps. 1t is to the credit of the Army |
OF the Potomac that in all of the fighting |
during the change of base it effectuallv |
withstood the attacks of the enemy, heat |
them off, and only yielded the field after |
night when the fighting had ended
Ihe morale OF the troops was good; they |
were ready to face-about and fight any
where and any time when ordered. AS
the spirit of the troops I will
issued less than three weeks after the
arrival at Harrison's Landing; as follows:
HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS, July
%, 1862.
'G ENERAL ORDER, No. 81.
The General commanding would here
by announce to this Corps de Armee the
fine appearance on review to-day of the
Nineteenth Massachusetts and First Min
nesota regi iments. The condition of these
reflects great credit on their commanders
BY command of MAJ-GEN. SUMNER.
a.. KIP, A. A. A-GEN."
! have tried to give the reader an idea of
the kind of service rendered and hard
ships endured. In doing this ] have
spoken chiefly of our company. regiment,
brigade. division. or corps; not but fully
as much might be said of Others but be-
;ause | had more personal knowledge of
these, and l have not been trying 10 tell
all about the campaign as whole. Doubt
ess l have made mistakes, but have tried
20 be correct. and avoid unfair claims or
criticisms. Of course, have opinions of
he Peninsular Campaign as IA military
operation, but have not intended to eX-
press them.
We never see a man wearing Club"
whether it be red, white or blue but we
eel attracted toward him. and greet him
( possible. To all of my old comrades |
would send through THE NATIONAL TRIB-
JNE, a warm, brotherly greeting
you are to-day, in the homes of
Iour boyhood, or places you have pro-
yided for yourselves on the windy, western
)rairies, you have my kindest wishes and
Tarmest SYM athies.
CThe ond)
The Gallant Defense OF a Blockhouse