Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-02-23

envy attacked Casey's division, which
was in position about quarter-mile
beyond the Nine-Mile road, when the
battle opened Our brigade (Aber-
crombie's) of COUGHS division was in
btvouac along that road, from the Viii
liamsburg road, to and across the
York river railroad, and the right of
the 23d Pennsylvania rested in the
fallen timber to the left of the rail
road. AS soon as the action began a
shell from the enemy landed in a
clearing in front of the camp, and the
men at once got into line, General
Keyes came riding up the. road,
passed the 23d Pennsylvania, and or
dered it to support Caseys right.
Moving across the Nine-Mile road and
through some low bushes, we came
upon the enemy, who were driving in
Naglee's brigade of Casey's division.
With cheers we charged, striking
the rebels in flank, driving them
through clearing and woods, where
we continued the fight until recalled.
The 23d Pennsylvania advanced
through the woods and drove the en-
envy into the clear fields, where
masses Of the enemy (Pettigrew's
brigade) were moving to cross the
railroad. We opened upon them. and
became so holly engaged that we
were driven back slowly to the Nine
Mile road. The enemy could be seen.
passing down the road and the rail
road. We maintained this position
with no support on either flank I'M
der most severe fire. Colonel Neill
then ordered the men to retire to
their camp on the Nine-Mile road.
1t appears now that Couch, in or
der to gain time, so he could form
the regiments above named to the
right and rear of Fair Oaks station, at
the Adams farm house, left the 23d
Pennsylvania in the angle of the
woods to hold the enemy Reaching
the camp, we faced to the. rear to
receive the attack of the enemy, who
had passed around the fallen timber,
and while thus engaged regiment
moved up the Nine-Mile road and re.
ceived volley from the enemy. They
broke, and coming back on the 23d
Pennsylvania threw our line into CON
fusion, but the men quickly rallied
and held the position fully half an
hour until ordered out The resist
ance of the regiment in its old camp
in conjunction with the 9th New
York on Its left, was evidenced in the
number of the enemy killed.
1t had taken the enemy all the
afternoon to drive our line back 900
yards. We were relieved at dusk, and
bivouacked at the breastworks down
the Williamsburg road. The troops
we were engaged with were the 9th
Georgia, 9Th South Carolina, 2Sth
Georgia and the Palmetto sharpshoot.
ers of Andersons brigade, under Col
Micah jenkins. The last line that
held the enemy in check was of troops
composed of COUGHS and Casey's diyi
sions and portion of Kearny's divi
sion
Our regiment fired about 60
rounds OF ammunition, lost ITO killed
and wounded (none capturedD, and
brought in 35 prisoners. Company G
was on picket, and took part with
Birney's brigade farther down the
railroad. while Company B was left
in camp and supported Miller's bat.
terry at the clearing In front Of the
camp. When the enemy appeared
they did good execution, as they had
gathered arms from the wounded, and
each man had several muskets load.
ed. Company B joined the regiment
as it formed in the new line to the
left Of the camp.