The National tribune., 1901-08-08

On the morning of Tuesday, May q,
The 9th moved from camp near Gainess
Mill, In light marching order. The rain
poured down necessarily all the morning,
which made the roads very muddy. About
noon, however, the rain ceased, and the
sun shone very warmly. By a circuitous
route, after marching about IS miles, and
very weary, we reached the vicinity of
Hanover Court House, where fierce fight
seemed to be raging, the regiment already
arrived there hailing the approach of our
Bonnie Green Flag with vociferous cheer
ing. Our boys, tired though they were,
moved steadily forward, and took up their
position in front. About 3 o'clock, the
9th was engaged with the enemy. After
several volleys, which appeared to take
effect we had orders to charge down upon
q dense wood, on which the left of the
rebel line rested, their whole force being
under the command of Gen. Branch.
THE FIGHT AT HANOVER COURT HOUSE
With vigorous cheers our regiment
obeyed, and the long, unwavering line of
the 9th swept down upon the woods. A
fierce hand-to-hand conflict ensued, in
which Irish valor proved itself victorious;
the enemy turned about and fled from the
woods followed by our determined lads,
who pursued them TO an adjoining wheat
field, shooting and bayoneting, and max
ing prisoners of such as would yield.
We captured a stand of rebel colors, and
retook two guns of Martins Battery,
which had been captured by the enemy.
That night the enemy having been COM
PEELED to retire, our regiment encamped
on the field, and were soon buried in sleep.
In this brief contest we lost one man
killed (Serg't Regain and II were
wounded. We buried Regain on the field,
with military honOrs. In passing through
the woods the following day, piles of dead
rebels could be seen-some bayoneted,
more shot; knapsacks, blankets, and cloth
ing of all kinds lay strewn around. In one
heap we counted 80 dead men, and single
forms were scattered promiscuously
around, while horses were stretched in
every attitude of death This battle is
known as that of Hanover Court House,
and was our first engagement of any I'M
portance after the evacuation of York
town, on the Peninsula.
On the 29th the right wing five COM
panies) of our regiment was ordered on
picket duty, and was relieved on the 3Oth.
Our men were very much exhausted, hav-
ing, for the last two days, eaten but two
meals of coffee and army bread, COM
monty known as bareback"
After these stirring events our regiment
returned to Gaines's Mill, where they
performed the varied duties incidental to
camp life, and had an opportunity to re-
euperate after the severe ordeal their
physical powers had undergone, taking
their share of picket duty with other regi-
ments.
On one occasion a detachment of 100
Of our men, under the command of Capt.
John Carey, were posted at and around
Newmarket Bridge, adjacent to Gaines's
Mill, with special instruction to hold the
bridge against the enemy at all hazards.
From secret information he had received,
Gen. Fitz-John Porter was led to expect
that an attack would be made on the
bridge on this particular night, and feel
ing anxious and knowing the Importance
of the position, went himself and con-
ferred with the Captain in command of
the picket, Carey of ours" as before
stated. After giving minute instructions,
as he was leaving, Gen. Porter said to
Carey, well, Captain, you know what
you have to do; mind, hold you response
ble;" to which the gallant Captain, with
his usual bluntness, replied, Make your
self perfectly easy on that score, General;
whoever passes over here must pass over
the dead bodies of hundred Irishmen."
This reply may, by some, be taken as
speaking boastingly; yet we can vouch for