The National tribune., 1901-08-15
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By Capt. M. H. MCNAMARA, 9Th Mass.

On the morning following the battle OF
the Chickahominy, we recrossed the river
IN fine order, and bivouacked upon its
banks, where we remained until the fol
lowing day, when we marched to Nal
yern Hill. The men of the 9Th were In
good spirits, having the fullest confidence
In Gen. Mcclellan, and moved forward
with the warmest anticipatlons of success
We arrived at Malvern Hill in the after
noon, and Immediately took up position
on the nights, which we occupied until
midnight. After changing our position
several times, we were sent as support
to the artillery which was in position on
the plain running from the base OF NAL
yern Hill. Here our forces were much
exposed, no natural advantage of ground
intervening between ourselves and the en-
envy, who were posted in line of battle IN
n dense wood, which formed "a semicircle
around the position held by the Union
troops.
Our principal strength consisted in the
immense guns planted in our rear, when
sheled the woods increasingly, and in our
feet of gunboats, which, though some
two miles distant, rendered efficient serv-
Ice and caused some terrible destruction.
About 8 o'clock the artillery Of the con-
tending forces opened fire, and continued
1t with great vlgOr for nearly three hours.
About ! o'clock the columns Of the en-
boldly and rapidly from the wood. with
the intention of Selling the batteries IN
position on the plain.
a terrific storm of grapeshOt greeted
them as they came on. Again and again
the cannons blazed forth their murderous
rage, and whole ranks fell down, actually
shattered and blown to pieces; yet still
the brave fellows came on, closer and
closer to the batteries, until they seemed
In imminent danger of being taken, when
Gen Griffin, who had command of the
artillery, exclaimed, up and at them,
ethp'
THE CHARGE OF THE IRIsHMEN.
The words had scarcely passed his lips
when Col. Cass, turning to his gallant
fellows, gave the command, charge"
Our rnan then sprang forward to the
frc;za1t of the cannon, and dashed on the
advancing foe.
The enemy paused for an instant; their
line wayered; a moment more 1t broke,
and fed to the woods.
Here Col. Cass fell MORALLY wounded
The artillery of the enemy now opened
fire upon the regiment, compelling US to
retire. The conflict that followed that
glorious charge battles description.
1t was a series of brilliant charges on
both sides. The tenacity of the combat
ants in their fierce struggle for the vic
tory, and the desperate ferocity which
animated them, are SCdICely pdId4ISIeu IL
the history of battles
Col Thomas Cass was brought safely
from the field He was very badly
wounded, but the Surgeon who attended
him when he was carried to the rear ex-
pressed hopes of his recovery. In this,
we are grieved to say, he was mistaken.
He was taken home to Boston, where he
expired July y, 1862.
He was an able soldier. He served his
country well, and will ever hold a dis
tinguished place in her history.
Lieuts John II. Rafferty, and Edward
McSweeny were killed in this engage
ment. They fell fighting bravely at the
head of their companies. Young, brave
and generous, their loss was deeply felt
The battle closed at nightfall.
THE RETREAT TO THE JAMES.
At midnight Gen. Mcclellan had evac-
uated his position, and the following morn
ing the bulk of his army was at Harri-
sons Landing, on the banks of the James
River, where the 9th encamped until Aug.
il, 1862.
1t was at Harrison's Landing that the
eth-in fact, the whole Army of the Po
tomac-learned, for the first time, that
they had been defeated, and that the