Year: 1862

though the rebels came IN flocks out ot
/ the Fort in front Of US, and SIX Regiments
ont of the woods to our right. When the
latter were within 100 yards of us We got
orders to retreat, which we at first tried to
do on run but our gallant Lieutenant
told US TO go slowly and return the fire,
which we did, and had the satisfaction o:
seeing the rebels drop at every fire.


was too weak TO fire much in fact 7
dropped down several times, and was
obliged TO leave my knapsack on the field
for lack of strength to carry it. Arnold
acted during the whole engagement as II
he was made of ice; and at one time,
when his gun missed fire, he sat coolly
down in the open field, amidst the shower
OF bullets, and fixed it. He afterwards
told me he saw five Of the enemy drop be
fore his gun.


At first our Regiment was in disorder,
as more Companies had been sent out to
skirmish and now came in from several di-
rections. Gen. HANCOCK ordered a retreat
in order to get the enemy from The woods
into the open field; but when they were
far enough, he shouted Now, 5th Wis
consin, now is your time-giye it to them
give them h-ll: stand your ground or
| am ruined ~ When he saw our Com
panv retreating so slowly-almost checks
ing the overwhelming force-he clapped
his hands in delight, and cried out to one
of his aids; cob, see the bloody Fifth
Just see the d-n devils fight y At one
time our Regiment was almost surrounded,
and he said, Goodbye, Fifth you are
LOST" but we gained our ground again,
when he came in front of US, waving his
sword, and shouted: Cd d--n it,
boys, just give them cheer with your
fire. The whole regiment gave one glad
" hurrah,' and ran in at rapid pace at
the foe. This was too much for them
they took to Their heels.


As one Of the prisoners since said, the
rebels imagined that hell was opened and
the devils, in human shape, were let loose
upon them.


Though receiving the whole fire of the
enemy in front and in flank, we had only
II killed e Of our Company and about
so wounded, some severely. (HARrUNG,
of Two Rivers, IS among the wounded, but
he will recovery The enemy lost over
400 in killed ard wounded, and over 900
prisoners. The woods are still full Of the
dead, and the roads are covered with arms.
which the rebels threw away


The 5th Carolina Regiment was cut to
pieces; they had not twenty five men left
unhurt Among their killed were three
of their field officers, and the General in
whose command they were. Their colors
were also captured.


Yesterday evening on parade, General
McCLELLAN, with BIS staff, rode in front Of
the Regiment, and addressed Us thus;


"MY LADs-I have come to thank you
for the bravery and discipline which You
displayed the other day. On that day YOU
won laureIs of which you may well be
proud-not only you, but the army, the
State and the country to which YOU be
long. Through you we won the day, and
Williamsburg shall be inscribed upon
your banner. | cannot thank you too
much, and am sure the reputation your
galIantry has already achieved will always
be maintained"


1 have got to stop wiring now, as we
are ordered to march OIL. Tell Father to
make Mrs. CocHEMs acquainted with ia
CoB's fate as best he can.


Your affectionate brother,


THOMAS WAGNER.