Year: 1862

After we had occupied tie position, and
standing under CALLING FIRE from the battery
near the bridge we were ordered in double
quick back again to protect arosd to keep the
enemy from hanking the rest of the brigade.
I had gone into the fight as one Of the Colo
neTs stat, and was on the right wing, when
the order was given, and we brought them
down rapidly-CoL Candy, Gwynne and NY
self on horseback and Major Powell on ieot


We had only got our position when the bat
terry was fred upon by two regiments in the
skirt Of the woods and on the side Of the
mountsin right over the battery. They fred
directly upon the artiIlerists and horses in =
continuous roar until both regiments had
emptied all their gpns-liIling more than half
the artillerists and q great number Of the hors-
es.


The horses being left to themselves turnedto-
wards our Regiments and ran with perfect
fury with their guns and eaissons through
and over Us: It produced panic, and the
men began to run and fall back-when the
Field and staff excited every nerve to get
them back which was done IN ten OF fifteen
minutes.


Col. Candy then took his position some ff-
teen steps in the rear, Gwynne upon the left
and myself upon the right and then we COM
nlenced orr part oftbe fight The FIRE for tho
FIRST half hour was 50 CALLING and severe upon
US that It required almost superhuman efforts
! by Gwynne and myself to keep our men in line
they fell thick and fast around us:--Me-
Gowan against nc or nearly under my horse;
Capt McMorran, 8 feet Of my horses head
Sergeant Baxter at my side: indeed, the kill
ed and wounded fell 50 fast that thought We
should all be killed, but by constant cheering
md encouragement our men forgot their dan
ger and fought ike tigers for three long hours,
when we charged 5agoaets and retoolI Eve Of
our captured guns-two Of which were i'm
mediately turned upon the enemy and done
terrible execution. We found the dead thick
al around and about the battery and the skirt
Of the woods where wehad pouredin our first
fire SO long.


Our Regiment now thought they were VIC
to7ious bat not so. Down in the Valley
where the fight had frst commenced now
came a host of cavalry and infantry (some say
20OOO which had crossed the bridge, aud al
our army down there gave way in o rspid re-
treat, and at the moment we had completely
whipped the two Regiments C29th and 9th
Louisiana) a retreat was ordered, and we were
compelled to fee for dear life.


Our desperate and long fight had sared our
whole army from being captured or annihils-
ted, as we held the road and tie key to tho
rear Of our army.


They then poured TIE shell and canister
upon US in perfect torrents until We formed in
line Of battle again and opened battery upon
them. They ceased to pursue us then and
those that were there then retired in good Or
der


had never thought of danger Until the
shells came whizzing by me in rapid success
ion in the retreat Zone coming down about
feet in front Of my horse tearing up the ground
but failed to burst and others passed so near
me that must confess I realized my danger
fully for the FIRST time in all the fght)


The fight lasted about 5 hours and if our
other two brigades had got up, or if Fremont
had arrived during the fight, we would have
Icap.ured Jackson and al his host. Fremont
arrived al o'clock in the evening, and whip
ped Jackson, driving him up the Valley-so
said to-day By those who are coming in and
saw the fight. Win and 3Tr. Parsons went
to the battle field this morning, and VIII bur
ry our dead and bring of what they can 6nd
of our lost property and the wounded on the
Geld.


We are now making preparations to march
Rchm ond-preparing for thirty days
marching. hope We VIII 60 slow, as we are
all much worn down and near exhausted


Istill hope to see you al again.


Jos. @. BaASo.