The lines — incidents and Scenes of late.
Unusual quiet reigned along the whole of our lines yesterday, and although Dame Rumor, with her thousand tongues, was extremely busy in different quarters, nothing of moment transpired worthy of more than passing mention.
The beautiful landscape on which both armies lie never looked more beautifully green and captivating, while snow-white tents in the distance picturesquely diversified the north banks of the
Chickahominy.
The enemy have not been idle, however, as numerous breastworks at the stream would testify, while constant practice with rifled pieces give them an accurate range of all points in the
Bottom or on the southern slopes.
Thus far, however, their numerous shell have effected nothing, and the
Mississippi pickets go to and fro as carelessly as if the enemy were engaged in simple and harmless ball play.
We heard but of two casualties yesterday, and those occurred in
General Griffith's brigade, the enemy having successfully hit and wounded two of our pickets in the
Swamp Large sheets of water are yet seen near the head of the
Chickahominy at
New Bridge and Mechanicsville Bridge, which may be the reason why operations have not commenced ere this.
Their constant shelling and balloon ascensions may be but preliminaries; yet, whenever they advance, our boys will receive them with all due military honors, as on previous occasions.
We should add to our former reports of transactions by mentioning the fact, that beside the short and determined fight on Sunday morning, which was sustained by
Hahons's brigade against superior forces, in the woods and field to the right of the 7th mile post on the York River Railroad, there had occurred early on the same morning a sharp encounter below
Barker's farm, on the
Williamsburg road, which resulted in the retreat of the enemy.
Though driven from their camp and position on the farm (Saturday evening) and chased down the road some two and a half miles, they wished to regain their old position, and essayed to accomplish the design with a very large force.
Always on the alert, the victors of Saturday received their old enemy with characteristic decision and dash, and after more than one hour's engagement drove them into a run, capturing many spoils, and placed pickets on the newly conquered ground.
From every indication, the foe did not at all relish the idea of rehearsing Saturday's operations in that quarter, so they decamped expeditiously whence they came, after fighting long enough ‘"for the looks of the thing."’ The number of killed and wounded on either side was respectable in total, although it is impossible to state what the
Federal loss might be, since they seem to have unlimited and well organized facilities for rapidly conveying their killed and wounded to the rear, which precludes the possibility of attempting any computation of numbers.
And in this connection we would suggest that our medical staff, in all its ramifications and departments, could very well learn a salutary lesson from the complete arrangements and system practiced on the field in conveying dead and wounded, as evidenced in their whole movements of late.
It may be stated that competent authorities consider the enemy's loss before our lines for the last ten days, in killed, wounded and prisoners, to have been not less than four thousand men, adding thereto the important item of captured arms, ordnance, and stores — there having fallen into our hands some fifteen hundred stand of arms, all of the latest and most costly make, together with a park of some twenty splendid field pieces, in brass or otherwise, rifled and smooth bore.
The enemy accurately shelled our ambulance cars, on the track, near the 6th milepost, (Sunday noon,) their missiles frequently exploding immediately over the engine and cars, but on subsequent trips up the line the yellow flag was flying upon the locomotive, and we did not hear of any more firing.
The
Texans, far up the track, not knowing the meaning of the shots sent out a scouting squad to reconnoiter, to be certain whether the Parrot guns working in front formed part of some newly-constructed battery.
Cautiously preceding through the timber, the
Texan scouts saw that the enemy had run up a heavy baggage truck upon the line, and erected thereon an extemporaneous platform for their gun, and were successfully working it. Proceeding further up the line, they, unobserved, removed several rails, and in ambush patiently awaited the denouement.
A Georgia regiment, not liking the gun more than the
Texans, determined to storm and capture the (supposed) newly-erected battery, but their approach being observed by the enemy, they ceased firing, pushed the truck rapidly forward out of danger, and before aware of it fell into the
Texan trap, were surrounded by the scouts, and all captured!
But one of the most interesting incidents of Saturday occurred with the 4th North Carolina.
The color-bearer and his staff being all killed and wounded early in the engagement,
Major Grimes rushed to the front with the standard, and on foot bore it aloft through a perfect storm of shot, shell, and canister, and triumphantly placed it on the field-work, amid the cheers of his men. The regiment being (it is said) improperly supported, were obliged to retire, the movement being effected in admirable order under a severe fire.
And in this place, let us say that, although it is always our earnest desire to state transactions accurately, informants prove so prone to exaggeration that it almost becomes an impossibility under the most favorable circumstances — to wit: in answer as to the state or fate of various regiments, stragglers and wounded would almost invariably answer, ‘"cut all to pieces!"’ Seeing some artillery coming out of action--‘"how have you fared?"’ ‘"Cut all to pieces,"’ was the response, although two or three killed or wounded in men or horses covered the total.
The
Lynchburg battery, however, really
did suffer severely, having nearly every horse shot away; but the brave cannoneers drew their guns by hand up to the muzzles of the foe, yet did
not exclaim ‘"cut all to pieces,"’ but betook themselves to haul their mud locked guns from the mire, although unable to borrow a single horse from any one for the purpose.
Several of their men lay wounded on the ground, but their noble bearing well nigh drew tears from those who knew the severe ordeal through which they had passed.
Carter's battery also deported themselves nobly in the action.
Among other regiments which greatly distinguished themselves, (viz: the 4th N. C., 1st Virginia, 11th Va., 13th Ala.,
Paul's (La.) Battalion, &c., each and all being claimants for capturing the batteries at
Barker's farm,) it is universally conceded that
Jenkins's 5th S. C. (1st Sharpshooters) and the 4th displayed uncommon gallantry, being magnificently officered and handled throughout the whole action, and displaying less excitement and anxiety, perhaps, than others on the scene.--Their loss, we are sorry to say, was very severe, as was that of the 28th Georgia.
Early in the action, indeed, one continual stream of wounded from the latter regiment lined the railroad, manfully trudging towards town; but, although composed of very young men for the most part, they bore their troubles and wounds philosophically, simply remarking, ‘"The
Yankees were running like the mischief when we left!"’
Some of
St. Paul's battalion particularly struck us, as they limped towards town with shattered or wounded parts.
One of them had been shot by a Yankee when in the act of drinking water, but turning on his foe, he quietly said:
‘
"Your gun is empty, you rascal, surrender or I'll finish you!"
’
Having no inclination to be ‘"finished,"’ the foe gave himself up, and the
Crescent Blue, when last seen, had handed over the prisoner to proper hands, while himself and other wounded comrades regaled themselves on the roadside with cheese, butter, beef, crackers, &c., extracted from Federal hav-
ersacks, talking French meanwhile with great volubility and much gesticulation.
It is claimed by some that the 18th Alabama finally drove the enemy from the field-work commanding the road; but this much we know, that all the representatives of States acted very nobly throughout the whole action, excepting none, it being a point of honor among them ‘"to get nearest to the foe."’--Hence, if through inaccuracy any regiment should not receive its proper meed of praise, all should feel content in knowing that each did his duty nobly, and it was only on account of ‘"time or position"’ that threw some more prominently forward than others, and not from any lack of vim or pluck.
We could not help observing the number of wounded scattered around Barkers' out-houses and wood-pile, and representatives from
Virginia,
Alabama,
Mississippi, South and
North Carolina, could be freely found, with not a few of the Georgians and Floridians scattered in the surroundings.
Many of the enemy were found piled up in their lately-vacated tents, while their whole route for more than two miles to the woods was dotted and lined with groups of killed and wounded.
Implements and apparatus from several field hospitals were found during Sunday, and, as before mentioned, the enemy's preparations and arrangements for caring for, or conveying away, the killed and wounded, considering all things, was very far superior to ours.
Several ambulances, found mud locked, were dragged from their miry bed, and from their substantial and unique make and arrangement will prove an invaluable acquisition to our medical corps in the field.
Among the many regiments which distinguished themselves, we would not forget the Mississippians, and particularly the 12th, for their noble bearing and invincible style of fighting won encomiums from all. Three standard-bearers in this regiment were successively shot down, yet onward went our ensign waving in the clouds of battle, victory perched on every fold, and none regret more than we that success should have been purchased at such a price — for one Southern man is worth more than any ten such as fell on the
North side in battle.
In Saturday's fight, on our left the troops under
Gen. Hatton fought with great bravery and suffered severely.
Gen. Hatton was ordered to march in the direction of a battery on the left of the line formed after the enemy were discovered.
In order to do this he had to pass by
Hampton's Legion, three of the companies on the left of the
Tennessee brigade charging to the right of the Legion.
They went up to the battery, but were not strong enough to hold it.
General Hatton was in advance of his brigade, and had his horse shot under him. He then went in on foot, but in a short time was shot through the heart by a piece of shell, which killed him instantly.
Col. Gardner, of the 7th Tenn;
Lt. Col Shackelford, of the 1st Tenn, and
Major McGaughlin, of the 1st, had their horses shot under them in this charge.
Adjutant G. A. Howard, of the 7th Tenn., was wounded in the shoulder.
Of the same regiment,
Capts. Dowell,
Allen,
Fry,
Walsh,
Franklin,
Shepherd, and
Curd, were wounded; also,
Lts. Timberlick,
Jennings,
Doak,
Allison,
Durett, and
Baird, were wounded;
Lt. Ingraham was killed.
The 7th Tennessee lost 17½ men in killed, wounded and missing; the 1st, 89, and the 14th, 125.
The Tennessee brigade, with the other forces, remained on the field that night.
Gen. Hatton's body will be carried to
Tennessee today.
The 9th Virginia.
From an officer in this regiment, we learn that it was in advance in Saturday's fight, and were suddenly surprised by the enemy, within sixty yards of an ambuscade.
The regiment war at order arms when the fire was opened on them, but at once seized their arms and did not leave the scene of action, although repulsed four times, when the position was contended for by superior force.--After its gallant
Colonel,
David J. Godwin, was wounded, the regiment became scattered.
The
Lieutenant-Colonel and
Major were absent, but a portion of the men were rallied by one of the
Captains, who nobly remained on the field to the last.
This regiment had one man killed and twenty-four wounded as far as heard from, the list was published yesterday morning.
Items.
Strange to say, that while other regiments have furnished us with reports, we have not received a word from the 1st Virginia, in which we are so much interested.
We have heard, however, that only a portion of the regiment was engaged, less than 100 men, under
Col. Skinner.
They were led against the enemy, and many were disabled the first fire received.
We have heard of but one man certainly killed — Chas. R. New, 1st
Sergeant of company H.
Gen. Jos. R. Anderson has ordered yellow ribbon around the hat of those attached to the infirmary corps.
Four men are detailed from each company for this service.
Captain John D. Hyman,
Commissary 4th North Carolina State troops, acting Aid to
Col. Anderson, was wounded in the heel by a piece of shell.
He is now in the city.
Major Bryan Grimes had two horses shot under him, but was uninjured himself.
Col. Jenkins, 6th South Carolina,
acting Brigadier-General, with two regiments, made a bold dash at the enemy, capturing three pieces of artillery, a stand of colors, and spent the night in the enemy's camp, enjoying his rations and luxuries.
The two color companies went in with 80 men and lost 40.
The flag changed hands four times without being allowed to fall.
Patrick Kelley, of the
Richmond Grays, had a narrow escape for his life.
A ball struck against a knife in his pocket, breaking off a portion of the handle and bending the whole.
He now has both the ball and knife.
