Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1902-03-12

1
70 feel Tor Grants right and rear, struck
the wagon train at point known as the
harris farm, and as the train was pro-
tected only by light guard, It readily fell
into their hands. The First Maine
chanced to be nearest the point OF attack,
which, with several other heavy artillery
regiments near by, were at once put In
motion to recspiure the wagons. The
Maine regiment, in advance, got posses
sion OF the train and, without a halt.
drove the eDepy back half mile to their
main line. Here line OF battle was
formed, and the fight continued for over
two hours until they were further forced
back 10 their entertainments.
This action Is sometimes referred to as
"The Battle OF the Heavies'', as it was
fought out by the heavy artillery
regiments, the infantry troops arriv-
ing on the ground about the time
the enemy retired. II was their first
experience In battle, and right well
did they stand mp to their work, so
much so that an order from Gen. Meade
was read to them the next morning, high.
ly commanding them for their GOODNESS
and bravery under fire. The losses In this
action amounted to over !, 900, nearly hall
of which occurred In the First Maine,
though the First Massachusetts, reported
loss OF 800 including twenty eight as
missing. The First Maine lost about one
third Of its number, while one of its COM
panies lost over one-baif, or seventy out
OF i35, who went into action. The num-
Der OF killed aud MORALLY wounded In the
regiment was l55, while the number of
wounded who recovered was 372, making
3 total Of 527.
During the intervening period from
May 10 to the battle OF Petersburg, the
regiment lost men at Milford Station,
North Anna river, Hsnovertown, Toto
potomy and Cold Harbor, In all seven
killed or mortally wounded and forty
three wounded, or total OF fifty.
AT PETERSBURG.
Arriving in front OF Petersburg on the
evening of June 10 it was present at the
opening OF the battle next day. Being In
the second or supporting line for the
greater part OF the 10Th and 18th, its
losses were small. Just after dark on the
evening OF the 18th the regiment was
placed In the front line behind breast
works, and was soon engaged with the
enemy at short range but the affair did
not last over twenty minutes. Soon all
was quiet except an occasional shot, and
the boys improved the time In much
needed sleep, little dreaming of what the
morrow had in store for them.
All were awakened at half-past 3 the
next morning and at 4 O'Clock a general
moving directly TO the front, halted for
minute at the first line OF the enemy's
works which had been abandoned during
the night, but Immediately pressed on
through a growth OF timber until it struck
the enemy's picket line which had been
posted along the Prince George court
house road. The picket fires were smould
erinE, bat the pickets were making good
time to the rear across the Hare field. In
front OF the centre OF the regiment as it
emerged from the woods was the Hare
house. Advancing a little beyond the
house the line was brough to a halt by q
sharp fire from the enemy, and was i'm
mediately drawn oack 10 .he ROAD where
strong line oil ofeSst"ofSs was thrown up
during the day.
This point at the mare mouse became
famous, not only as tue scene OF the reck-
less charge ana terrible slaughter Oh TINS
egiment later In the day, but 1t was also
the site OF Fort stesdman' ouiit by Union
forceS,and seizsd by tue Confederates early
on the morning oil March % 1860 ana from
when, u lie" hours later lucy were oriV-
en- out with such fearful loss A Union
officer who witnessed the carnage on both
occasions aud viewed the neld In both
cases after the battle was over ana before
the dead and wounded were removed Mss
made The assertion that ne ala not heheVe
there was another spot on Gods earth OF
equal size that had drank up the blood oil
so many men slain In battle as the dare
heid.