[Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch]
the fight on the New Kent road.
Gen. Hatton's brigade, consisting of the 1st, 7th and 14th Tennessee regiments, and Capt. G. M. Braxton Fredericksburg artillery company, which is attached to the brigade, had been acting on the rear guard for nearly two weeks, when on Saturday, the 24th inst., it was decided by Gen Hatton to attack, and try the strength of the enemy's advance guard. The bugle having sounded at 3 o'clock in the morning, we moved forward about half a mile from our camp, the artillery leaving their caissons behind. Having selected our position, which was a large field on both sides of the road, surrounded on all sides by heavy woods, we planted two guns in the field to the left of the road, one gun near the road commanding it, and three guns in the field to the right of the road. Our infantry was divided as well as possible, and stationed to the right and left and behind the artillery; our skirmishers and videttes were on the edge of the woods to the front of us. Quietly we awaited the advance of the enemy: the rain was pouring down in torrents and continued so all the morning.
A little after 10 o'clock the skirmisher commenced firing upon the enemy, which lasted about half an hour, the shots becoming thicker and faster; when the artillery opened their rifle gun upon the enemy, which was soon followed by all the guns. The engagement now became general, the enemy having brought up their artillery to bear upon us. Our shells bursted beautifully among the enemy, while their shells burst above and beyond us. We kept up a constant firing till about 12 o'clock, when the enemy becoming too strong for us, we retired; about this time, the enemy having got the range of us, they gave us a terrible shelling while retreating. Our retreat was quickly and excellently done. The enemy having perceived that we were retiring, sent their cavalry to charge on after us, but they were met by our infantry, who killed a good many of them. In the mean time, the artillery, under Capt. C. M. Braxton, having retired to their camp, prepared to give the Yankees another warm reception, but Gen. Hatton finding that the Yankees were endeavoring to flank him, ordered the artillery to retreat still farther back, which was done-under a galling fire from the enemy, they having followed us up with their artillery.
Our officers and man behaved gallantly, especially Gen. Hatton and Captain C. M. Braxton, who, amid the balls and shells, code fearlessly from one gun to another, giving directions, &c. Our loss was only one killed and two wounded. The artillery did not loss a single man, although the balls struck so close to some of them as to splashed in their faces. Our force was under 2,000, while that of the enemy must have been at 1st st 10,000.
The object of our attacking the enemy was to test their strength, therefore, it was part of one programme to withdraw after we had engaged them sufficiently to have found out their force.
Participator.
