BATTLE OF MONDAY EVENING.

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and the men were beginning to think that none would be made, when suddenly, about four o'clock, a heavy column of reinforcements for the enemy were observed descending the upper ridge. This meant battle. Imagine a semi-circle within a semicircle, and you have the relative positions of the opposing forces at that time.

Gen.

An hour later, the rebel hordes rose quickly from the Heights where they had lain all day, and rushing forward with cheers and yells, precipitated themselves upon our line. At the same moment the siege guns at Falmouth opened a fire on their rear. Neill's Brigade, being the nearest to them, bore the brunt of the attack, and though assaulted by overpowering numbers, maintained its position and repulsed the enemy. One Regiment, the same which broke at White-Oak Swamp, gave way, thereby bringing a destructive cross fire upon the Thirtythird. As the rebels fell back in disorder through the fields, it was only by the greatest exertions that Col. Taylor could restrain his men from following. A few squads did rush forward and secured several prisoners.

But unmindful of the havoc made in their ranks, the enemy again pressed on, determined to crush the Brigade. At the same time they attacked other points in the extended arc, and Gen. Neill, seeing that there was imminent danger of his position being turned, fell back, not, however, before having incurred a loss of one thousand men. Gen. Sedgwick now gave instructions for the entire lines to

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HAVOC MADE BY OUR ARTILLERY.

recede, in accordance with the plan which he had previously decided upon, viz: to slowly fall back fighting to the river, until darkness should come on. As the lines drew back, the enemy steadily pursued, a vigorous fire of musketry and artillery being kept up on both sides. Our batteries literally mowed the pursuers down, as they repeatedly charged upon them in solid columns. The gunners reserved their fire until the charging forces came within a few rods, and then poured the grape and cannister into them at a fearful rate. Having broken the columns, they would fall back to new positions, and again resist their approach.

In this manner the retreat was conducted most successfully, though not without great loss. The Thirty-third, which suffered severely at the outset, likewise lost many men in falling back, including Lieuts. Porter and Rossiter. While scaling a fence at one time, which through some culpable negligence had been left standing, several were killed and wounded. Gen. Neill being stunned by the falling of his wounded horse, Col. Taylor temporarily took command of the Brigade.

To assume command of a Brigade in the confusion of a retreat, when the enemy was pressing on all sides, was a most hazardous undertaking. Col. Taylor, however, did not shrink from the responsibility, and with the assistance of the Major of the Seventh Maine, who stepped forward when he called for volunteer Aids, soon arranged the Regiments in proper line.

ESCAPE OF THE CORPS.

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Darkness closed upon the combatants and prevented further pursuit by the enemy, though skirmishing continued for hours afterwards. Never had men watched more eagerly for the going down of the sun, and now that night had spread her sable mantle over the scene, great was the sense of relief experienced.

But the joy at their deliverance is suddenly dispelled by a report that the bridges thrown over the river at Banks' Ford have been destroyed, and thus the way of retreat cut off. During the afternoon the enemy between us and Hooker had succeeded in planting several guns near the ford, and kept pounding away at the bridges for hours. One of them was seriously injured, but before they could complete its destruction, batteries were got into position on the opposite side of the river, and drove them away. Happily, then, this rumor was without foundation.

The scenes of that night vividly recalled the memories of the seven days' retreat on the Peninsula. Though no panic prevailed, there was the utmost confusion. Owing to the darkness and the large number of wounded, and immense amount of war materiel which had to be conveyed over, many of the wounded were left where they fell during the battle, it being impossible to bring them away. This was the case with most of those belonging to the Thirty-third. Lieut. Rossiter died in the hands of the enemy. By morning the entire Corps was safely over, and encamped along the flats on the opposite