Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-04

following Inc fetTeatlHS army toii eAAS
20th) through Winchester to Stras-
burg. On the 22d. in the renewed at
tack upon Early's forces-"Fishefs
Eilr'-the Battery was in position ana
engaged in desultory firing during the
forenoon.and at noon. in the general adj
vance, vigorously shelled the enemy's
lines for half an hour or more-follow-
ing him in the retreat until the morn
ing of the 23d-resting at Woodstock,
and next day pressing on beyond
Newmarket and Harrisonburg. The
Battery lost two men in killed and
seven in wounded. 1t also had fve
horses killed and three disabled. The
Battery moved from Harrisonburs
Oct. 6th, reaching Cedar Creek on the
10th, and remaining quietly in camp
until the famous battle of Cedar
Creek" Oct. 10. Here the gallant First
Maine did heroic service. Capt Brad
bury had been promoted. to Major and
Colonel Of Artillery and made chief of
Artillery of the Nineteenth corps.
Capt. Edw. Haley, the commander of
the battery, was wounded early IN the
fight, and the command during the
day devolved upon Lieut.. John S.
Snow. The battery was in position as
early as 4 A. NJ. on the right of the
turnpike, and briskly opened. fire the
moment the enemy appeared upon the
hill in the rear of the original position
of Crooks corps, The rebels at once
levelled their batteries upon the First
Maine, right and front, completely en-
fllading it's position. Several of the
shells from the enemy's guns burst
Immediately between the First Names
pieces, scattering CONSERVATION ana
death among its horses and men. II IS
safe to say that no battery was ever
subjected to a more CALLING, whitening,
destructive cannonade. Soon the en-
envy secured position on its left and
rear, on the crest of the hill, and
section of the First Maine was then
posted to the left and rear to contest
the enemy's advance, firing directly
across the pike at a very short range.
This section had no infantry support,
and when the enemy charged TO get
possession of the pike, one piece, with
the drivers, was captured. The battery
stubbornly resisted the rebel advance,
falling back so very moderately that
several pieces, with their drivers, fell
into the hands of the enemy. In the
afternoon, when, under the impetus OF
the coming of Little Phil, the tide of
battle had turned, the battery joined
the infantry in its advance movement,
closely pursuing the rebels, though not
engaged in action, and resting for the
night in the camp from which 1t was
driven in the morning. The battery's
casualties included one officer and two
enlisted men killed, seventeen wound
ed, and eight men taken prisoners.
Forty nine horses were killed in har-
ness and eleven disabled. Besides these
losses, sustained within period of
thirty minutes time, five guns and
four caissons were captured. Decidedly
hot was that eventful half hour. In
this, and all the engagements, the
thirty six infantry -artillerists Of the
Fifteenth Maine detachment most
creditably acquitted themselves and
materially aided in winning additional
laurels for the First Maine. Unfor-
tunately, from lack of reliable data.
the minute details are not attainable.
1t is learned. however, that our John
Coffin of Co. F was the only driver to
stand by the fourth piece in the ter
rible storm Of iron hail poured upon
the battery at Cedar Creek. Private
Robert Breckenridge of Co. B, Corporal
Malry Kearney of Co. E. and Sylvester
Rideout of Co. c, are also reported as
winning special distinction. The latter
was twice wounded and was at one
time within the enemy's lines, but was
recaptured later in the day. Alexander
McFayden was seen to fall in the heat
Of the contest, but pluckily jumped up
and went heroically at work again, his
face besmeared with blood. Pickles
(Johnsonl of Co. E came within an ace
of losing his precious head, his saddle
horse receiving a bullet in the necN a,
a point where a minute previously, his
head had been resting, while affection
ately endeavoring to quiet the restive-
ness of the eXaspIated steed. by
stroking it's name and lovingly patting
its neck Every one of our boys ac-
Quilted themselves like heroes in this
trying emergency and were warmly
commended by the officers Of the bat
terry.
The battery remained in the vicinity
Of Cedar Creek until Nov. 18th; then
moved to within a few miles of Win
chester. The men Of the Fifteenth,
with those serving with the Thirtieth
Maine rejoined our regiment Dec Goth,
having been detached nearly five
months.