THE ENEMY PUT TO FLIGHT. 1-29 nerved themselves for the encounter. The orders to "reserve fire," "fire low," &c., were given in a quiet undertone, and the soldiers, bringing their firelocks to their shoulders and resting them over the top of the parapet, calmly waited the approach of the enemy. On they came, yelling and shouting like demons, till within a few yards of the breastwork when there instantly shot forth from behind it a sheet of flame, followed by another and another, until, staggered by the galling fire, the rebels wavered, broke and fled in great disorder from the field. When the smoke cleared away the number of killed and wounded that appeared scattered upon the ground testified to the accuracy of our aim. Nearly every one had brought down his man. They continued firing upon the retreating enemy until out of range. Not satisfied with the reception. which they had received, the confederates, re-forming, again advanced, though more cautiously than at first. But they were again met by a murderous fire and compelled to fall back, leaving many of their number on the field. Maddened by the defeat and carnage which had taken place around him, Colonel Lamar, of the Eighth Ga., who commanded the enemy, now sprang forward in front of his men, and, waving his sword and hat in the air, incited them to a renewal of the charge. Over a hundred rifles were instantly levelled at him, and he fell, dangerously wounded, to the ground. At the same time a section of Mott's battery, which had come up, opened an enfilading 130 PRISONERS AND ARMS SECURED. fire upon them from the left, and the victory was complete, the enemy fleeing in all directions. Huzza after huzza followed from our men, who could be restrained only with the greatest difficulty from leaping over the parapet and pursuing them. This it would not have been prudent to do, owing to the great disparity in numbers. A small party was, however, sent forward to secure several prisoners who had voluntarily surrendered, and also our wounded. This attempt, on the part of the Seventh and Eighth Ga. Regiments, to capture the Thirty-third, resulted to them in a loss of 91 killed and left upon the field, a large number of wounded, 50 prisoners, including the wounded Col. Lamar of the Eighth and Lieut. Colonel Tower of the Seventh Ga., and two hundred stand of arms. We lost several, in killed and wounded, during the first part of the engagement, when forced back to the entrenchments. A number were also taken prisoners, including Captain Hamilton, of Company G, who was exchanged, and returned to the Regiment at Harrison's Landing. The enemy's balls mostly passed several feet over, or lodged in the earthworks, doing but little injury. First Lieutenant Moses Church, of Company E, fearless to a fault, seized a musket and, going out from behind the protection of the works, fired repeatedly, with deliberate aim, at the advancing rebels, until he dropped dead, pierced through the head with a minie ball. He was a brave and beloved officer, and was buried close to the spot where he AN AFFECTING INCIDENT. 131 so nobly died. Private Hildreth, of the same Company, also exposed himself in a similar manner, and was shot dead, the ball penetrating his eye. Immediately after the final discomfiture of the rebels, Major Platner was sent by Colonel Taylor to establish a new picket line, and both parties buried their dead, under a flag of truce. One of the prisoners, belonging to the Eighth Ga., on seeing the mangled remains of his brother, wept bitterly and for a time refused to leave them. The same soldier afterwards conversed with members of the Thirtythird at the first battle of Fredericksburg, and reverted to the circumstance, and also to the fact that his Regiment had encountered the Thirty-third for the fourth time in battle. While the engagement was going on, the Seventyseventh N. Y., to the command of which Lieut.Colonel Corning had been temporarily assigned, was drawn up in line of battle further to the left, to prevent a flank movement. The following is Colonel Taylor's report of the engagement: HEAD-QUARTERS THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT, To the A. A. Gen'l, Third Brigade: * * * * * On June 28th, the entire Regiment, with the exception of the camp guard, cooks, and a few convalescent sick, was ordered out on picket. Soon after, they became engaged with the enemy, and according to instruc 132 COL. TAYLOR'S REPORT OF THE BATTLE. tions they fell back, contesting every inch, into the rifle pits in front of their camp. During this time Lieutenant Lucius C. Mix and Lieutenant Ed. J. Tyler, of Company A, succeeded, under a galling fire, in collecting and placing in good order, the former his camp guard, and the latter all others in camp-some fifty men. Both of these officers were conspicuous in their endeavors to stop those who had become panic stricken, of which there were a few, and arranging them to good effect in the rifle pitmany of whom fought nobly. I can also mention the name of Quartermaster Sergeant John J. Carter, now Lieutenant of Company B, in connection with this affair, who not only did good service in quieting the men, but conduced to keeping up a continual fire on the enemy. Much praise is due to Captain Warford and Lieutenant Church, of Company E, also to Lieutenant Corning, of Company B, and Lieutenant Gale, of Company G, for their coolness in drawing in the men, and establishing order under such circumstances, at one time being nearly surrounded. Captain Hamilton, of Company G, was taken prisoner while actively engaged in rallying his men, and Lieutenant Church, of Company E, was killed while encouraging his men by words and deeds. The above is respectfully submitted. Your most obedient servant, R. F. TAYLOR, Colonel Commanding Thirty-third N. Y. S. V. GENERAL DAVIDSON'S REPORT. 133 General Davidson, in his report of the affair, said: "The Thirty-third N. Y. Volunteers, Colonel Taylor, of my Brigade, then on picket, in conjunction with the Forty-ninth Pa. (two companies), Colonel Irwin, had the honor of repulsing the enemy most handsomely. The conduct of the Thirty-third N. Y., Forty-ninth Pa., and Seventh Maine, under this terrible, concentrated fire, which took us completely by surprise, was all that could be desired." 7 |
