The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-01-30

1eduluS IGSlHleut W Charge Tue enc
my's gun in the roadway beyond the
swamp. The colonel of this regiment
had been mortally wounded, and the
lieutenant colonel and major had boil
been endorsed and disabled by Confed
crate shells. The adjutant attempted
to rally the command and lead it into
action, but the men became confused
and blocked the roadway across the
swamp. 1t was necessary to lead the
regiment back to the rear in order tC
restore their confidence, and this de
layed the advance of the next line fol
lowing until o'clock.
The Confederates having had time
to prepare for the attack, Corcorar
decided to reconnoiter his position be-
fore risking too much. He sent for
ward the One Hundred and Thirtietf
New York, which was three times
charged upon while making its way
through the swamp and woods. The
New Workers ran upon Pryor's guns
posted to sweep the open field and the
road where it led out of the swamp
that it would involve useless slaughter
to attempt charge upon artillery by
troops moving in column or to halt
them for formation under fire.
Meanwhile Corcoran's scouting cav.
airy had discovered another road lead
ing to the enemy's right flank. A squad
ron of troopers at once marched for
ward on the new road, which also
crossed the swamp, but on emerging
into the open ground was received with
a shower of case shot from battery
on the opposite side of the field Gen.
eral Pryor had disposed his force to
cover the approaches by both roads
The cavalry had howitzer in the col
umn, but it was silenced after firing
three shots by the superior artillery of
the Confederates.
On learning the result of the cavalry
advance against the Confederate flank
General Corcoran determined to try
once more the direct attack in front
But it was nearing the hour of noon
and his troops had eaten nothing since
the previous evening, and wise gen
eral knows the folly Of expecting a
good fight with men whose stomachs
are empty. Besides, the artillery had
used up all it's ammunition in the fierce
duel of the morning. A repulse of the
infantry without guns to fire upon the
enemy should they return the charge
would mean the destruction Of the
whole command. Corcoran decided to
wait for more ammunition and give his
men chance to take food.
At IL o'clock all was ready for the
advance, but the enemy offered no Op-
position to the crossing of the swamp
In fact, the movement Of Corcoran's
cavalry upon Pryor's flank had changed
the whole battle. In order to meet the
cavalry on his flank Pryor had with
drawn the infantry and batteries from
the road first attacked and moved II
around to the new point of danger. The
cavalry was quickly repulsed and re
tired through the swamp. At this
juncture General Pryor learned that his
artillery had used up all its ammunition
and the column was not prepared to
cope with odds, especially when he had
no cavalry and his batteries were q
hindrance rather than help. He re
luctantly ordered retreat to the Black
water, leaving the battlefield to his foe
Corcoran pushed the pursuit with his
usual dash, and his infantry advance
caught up with the Confederate real
guard at the crossing of a creek few
miles from the field. Placing guns II
position Corcoran shelled the Opposite
bank with a few rounds, then sem
Colonel Spears Pennsylvania troopers
over the bridge at a gallop. The Con
federates had left the scene, and in &
ride of two miles Spear saw nothing OF
the men in gray.
For a small affair the execution Of
the artillery at Deserted House, OF
Kelly's Store, as the battle is variously
named, was remarkable. All the firing
was done in the night, with only the
flashes to guide the gunners. The frs
Federal shell killed Colonel Thomas
Poague of the Fiftieth Virginia. Tive
Virginia captains also were killed BY
buCli nIO. 1hS ShOuhu AotCAJ ONN0PASN
by the Confederate batteries was
strewn with dead soldiers, horses, bro
ken hammers, sponges, knapsacks ant
cartridge boxes. General Pryor carried
away all the wounded who fell in the
open, but many of his soldiers strucl
down in the swamp were left to theil
fate.
The fire Of Pryor's guns was alst
deadly. Corcoran lost two officers ant
twenty-one killed, eight officers and ion
men wounded, chiefly from shell fire
In the two batteries engaged twenty
six men were killed or wounded.
Pryor's attempt and failure led to {
more formidable expedition some weeks
later under General Longstreet. Th'
object was the same-to secure the ricl
supplies lying between the Blackwate
and the Nansemond.
GEORGE L. KILMER.