The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-02-22

seen III the woods surrounding the plain
| upon which we landed as soon as the
landing began, convinced me that some
thing was to be feared from the enemy
IN the morning. During the night one
OF our pickets and one of the enemy $
were killed and two prisoners were
| taken by our pickets From these we
| learned that the enemy was in large
| force in our front and that we We're
| to be attacked in the morning. Ex-
traordinary precautions We're taken dur
Ing the night To prevent the success of
an attack. The roads approaching the
landing were obstructed by felled trees,
the vigilance of the sentinels was re-
doubled, the wood surrounding the
plain upon which the landing was made
was thoroughly watched by pickets
which were posted by Gen. Bartlett,
9th n. Y. General Officer of the Day,
and to their watchfulness and efficiency
| our success of the next day is to great
extent due.
about Z O'clock Il. m. on the eth in
slant Gen. Newton and myself made a
reconnaissance of the position on foot.
which convinced us that our right and
left TANKS and front were protected by
| creeks, and that the only dangerous
point of the position was space about
eco yards wide at the right OF the left
flank. Through this space the road
from the interior entered the open plain
flanked on both sides by a thick wood
There is Il dam in front Of our position
over which infantry might pass, but it
was we'll protected by strong picket.
"Reconnoissances were sent out in all
directions to obtain as accurate
knowledge of the country as possible
and nothing was heard from the enemy
until about o'clock in the morning
Ihen firing between the pickets III the
vicinity OF the road entering the plain
from the interior commenced. and in
creased in violence until the action be-
came severe, between 10 and IL o'clock.
Between z and 8 o'clock Gen. Newton's
brigade had been ordered to take po-
sition to guard the road and it's de-
bouche from the wood.
Il had been to the fleet, endeayoring
to expedite the departure of the trans.
ports which had brought us up, when
the firing commenced, and / did not
hear of 1t until Signaled by Gen. Slo-
cum, between 10 and IL o'clock. / i'm
mediately went ashore, and found that
the arrangements which had already
been made were ample to repel any
force which the enemy could bring
against us. NeWton's Brigade, consist
ing Of the 18th, 31st and 32d n. Y and
tho 95th Pa, was holding the wood and
road under severe musketry fire. This
brigade was supported on the left by
part of Taylor's Brigade, consisting of
the Sd and 4th n. j., and by the 5th
Me-, of Slocums Brigade. In it's rear
were Hexamer's New Jersey and Up
tons Regular batteries, under command
OF Capt Plat, I'd Art. They were sup
ported by five companies of the 10th
n. Y, under Col. Rowland. The re-
mainder of Taylor's Brigade, the 1st
and Cd N. j., supported the batteries,
and at the same time We're in reserve
to repel any attacks upon the approach
by the dam.
"On the left Dana's Brigade, of Sedg-
WIck's Division, which had that morn
ing landed, was posted, with Porter'S
Massachusetts Battery on it's left rest
ing upon the river. Capt. Wilson's New
York Battery. of four guns, was held
In reserve in the center. The 96th Pa,
Col. Cake, was placed in front on the
left. The 9th N. Y, Col. Bartlett, was
Oh picket during the night Of the 9Th.
Three companies helped to commence
the contest on the next day. They be-
haved well, and Capt. Jay, of that regf-
ment. was distinguished for his good
conduct and good sense. The other
seven companies of this regiment sup
ported Wilson's Battery during the day.
Two companies of the 10th N. Y. were
in the commencement of the engage
ment and behaved well. Capt. Curtis, |
In command Of one of them, was Sc.
verely wounded. These two and the
iment supported Wilson's Battery.
AT the beginning of the action the |
pickets were driven In upon their sup |
ports. which held their ground we'll, |
falling back steadily when necessary
without confusion. Two regiments, the
SD N. T. and portion Of the 95th Pa, |
were thrown into the woods to sup