The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-22

~ opened. The opposing armies were ac-
tive, and the seven days great battles
around Richmond were soon to add an
other chapter to the history of remark
able battles. Meehanicsville, Seven Pines.
Fair oaks, Fraziers Farm. Gaines Mill.
Savage Station. Cold Harbor, Malvern
Hill, and other minor conflicts we're com
prfsed in the seven eventful days from
June 25 to July l. 1862.
No attempt will be made to tell the
story of the Tenth regiment in its march,
es through mud bog, water and bramble
OF the chicl1ahominy swamps, IN all the
various conflicts in which it participated
In these seven days battles around be-
leaugured Richmond. At Gaines Mill and
Fraziers Farm It bore conspicuous parts
and suffered a loss of two hundred and
thirty in killed and wounded At Gaines
Mill Col J. J. Woodward was shot
through the head and instantly killed,
heroicalfy leading his regiment against
the enemy in his stronghold. Lieut.. James
e. Shelley was severely wounded. After
the fall of Colonel woodward the com
mand of the regiment devolYed upon
Lieut.-Col. John II. Caldwell.
2 IN the battle of the 90th. the Tenth was
again heavily engaged and sustained
severe casualties. On the following day,
July /, came the last fight of sthe seven
days conflict at Malvern Hill, when the
federal army took refuge under its gun
boats thus ending the peninsular cam
paign and the siege of Richmond.
For a time all was now quiet between
the James and the Pamunkay, and both
armies seemed TO welcome a rest much
needed after the prolonged and exhaust
ing conflict. The Tenth now went into
camp a few miles below Richmond, on
the Darbytown road. The surviving vet
Grams of the command will recall the
marvellous quantities of huckleberries
which grew on all sides of their eneamp-
ment.
The wild lowlands were literally blue
with the luscious berries Nor will they
fall to remember how in the absence of
all vegetables in their rations, these ber-
res were relshed as an addition to their
limited allowance of hard tack and
bacon. The berries were gathered and
consumed by the bushel-by the well, and
by the sick to the comfort and advan-
tage of both.
Second Manassas.
With the advance of August, the army
of northern Virginia was again in mo-
ton in what proved to be the beginning
of the Maryland campaign. On the Rap
pahannock, there were incidental scraps
with the enemy at Kelleys Ford and
Brandy Station.
The last days of the month found Lees
army, and the army of the Potomac
now under command of General Pope of
headquarters in the saddle notoriety
confronting each other on the plains OF
Manassas. Here on the 30th the Tenth
Alabama with Wilcoxs brigade was on
the front and bore its Just share of the
great battle, and glorious triumph. The
route of Pope's army was as disastrous
as was the First Manassas under Nc
Dowen, a little more than year before
on the same ground. The entire federal
army was driven precipitateiy north OF
the Potomac to the entertainments around
Washington
In this battle the casualties of the Tenth
were comparatively light. Among the
severely wounded was Captain Alberto
Martin, who was disabled from future
field service.
Harpers Ferry and Sharpsburg.
The confederates now moved leisurely
toward Maryland. At Leesburg, Leuten-
ant Colonel Caldwell, in command OF
the regiment since the fall of Colonel
Woodward, was taken violently Ill and
was sent to the rear Crossing the Po-
tomac the division passed through
Frederick, but when westward few
miles from South Mountain, Wilcox's
brigade was detached and ordered down
Pleasant valley to the support of jack
son In the capture of Harpers Ferry
Here the command was not engaged, nut
witnessed the capture of Maryland
Heights followed by the surrender of the
garrison and vast stores of arms and
ammunition.
The brigade was now moved through
Harpers Ferry to the north of the
Potomac and thence toward Shepherds
town. Recrossing the river at this point
on the morning of the nth of Septem-
Der, II was soon engaged in fierce con-
fiict at Sharpsburg. Here the behavior
OF the Tenth was most gallant, and 1t SUI
fered heavily in killed and wounded.
Among the killed was Captain George c.
Whatley, a most gallant officer In COM
mand of the regiment. Capt. John Oden
was severely wounded and left in the
hands of the enemy.
At Winchester.
On the day following the battle of
Snarpsburg, the whole army crossed to
the south of the Potomac ana went into
camp for some weeks, in the vicinity of
Winchester. Here the army enjoyed a
we'll earned rest. Meanwhile recruiting
Its ranks, sadly thinned by its long
marches and fierce conflicts.
Touching the history of Wilcoxs brig
ade 1t may be noted that Brgadier Gem
eral Pryor. soon after the battle of
Sharpsburg, was relieved from duty on
the field The Fourteenth Alabama regi-
ment heretofore forming a part of
Pryor's brigade, was assigned to Will
cox's command about the 10th of ,NoYen-
ber 1862 and were heartily welcomed
by the four regiments heretofore con-
shutting that famed brigade The Four
teenth from now on. in all the battles in
which Wilcox,s brigade was engaged to
the end at Appomattox, bore gallant
and conspicuous part.
From Winchester the army marched to
Culpepper, where 1t made a short stay.
While encamped here. the Tenth WAS de-
tached and sent to the support of Stew
arts cavalry on the north of the Rap
pahannock. which was being pressed in
a sharp engagement by the enemy. The
affair was ended, however, by the re-
treat of the enemy before the arrival of
the regiment General Stewart remem-
bered the gallant behavior of the Tenth
at Dranesville and welcomed the regi-
nent to his support.