The 33d New York, AND ITS GALLANT BEHAVIOR * AT ❖ THE * BATTLE OF WILLIAMSBURG. A BRAVE CHARGE. MAY 5, 1862. BENJ. MEPHAM, Corp. Co. B, 33d N. Y. S. V. I. FTER crossing King's Creek on a high dam, the three left companies were ordered forward and took possession of the first fort. General Hancock continued to move forward, and having advanced half a mile to the left, halted a short distance from the enemy, near by an abandoned redoubt. Lieutenant-Colonel Corning was there ordered to take the three right companies and regimental colors and colorguard, and occupy and hold the fort. A few moments later Colonel Taylor proceeded with the other four companies to a body of woods, to the right and front, and deployed as skirmishers. Wheeler's and Cowan's batteries moved forward five hundred yards, directly in front of the redoubt, and commenced shelling Fort Magruder; they were supported by the 5th Wis. Regt., whose skirmishers connected with the 33d N. Y. on the right, and the 6th Me. and the 49th Penn. on the left. From the redoubt, occupied by Co.'s A, D, and F, the ground descended slightly for a few rods and then became a level plain, extending to Fort Magruder and presenting but few obstacles to the advance of infantry. Our artillery kept up a vigorous fire until two o'clock in the afternoon, and then ceased in accordance with orders from General McClellan, who had arrived on the opposite side of the creek. No other troops had offered to re-enforce Hancock, and he held his position on the enemy's left all day with the small force designated. Night was now approaching, and the men began to consider what further dispositions would be made of them when, suddenly, the rebels were discovered approaching from the direction of Williamsburg, and rapidly formed two lines of battle, which extended entirely across the plain in front. With their overwhelming numbers they expected to press down our small force and capture it entire, or drive it pell mell into the creek. General Hancock immediately sent word to the batteries and infantry supports to fall back, which they did, engaging the enemy as they retired. The three companies of the 33d were ordered out of the redoubt into line of battle, but the colorsergeant and guard remained to defend and keep unfurled the banner. The 7th Me. was likewise posted in line of battle at the right. On came the swarthy rebels, shouting "Bull Run," and "Ball's Bluff," their lines firm and unbroken; while the 5th Wis., 6th Me., and 49th Penn. hastily fell back, forming on the left of the 33d. Shot and shell fell all around the redoubt. It was a most trying situation. The foe was steadily bearing down and no re-enforcements could cross the narrow dam in time to render assistance. Still the men faltered not, but nerved themselves for the shock, determined that the enemy should bite the dust ere they would surrender. As the rebels drew nearer, the men fired rapidly, but failed to make any impression on their lines, which swept over the plain in perfect order. They had now arrived within seventy yards of the redoubt, and our lieutenant-Brown-and many other brave fellows had fallen. The cannoneers, with their guns, and many members of other regiments, were hurrying back to the dam to escape, both the right and left of the line were wavering, and it seemed as if all was lost. At this critical juncture, the lieutenant-colonel, turning to Colonel Taylor, who had just arrived from the skirmish line, remarked: "Nothing but a charge can check them." "A charge it shall be," he replied, and instantly waving his sword in the air, shouted: "Forward, men!" "Charge bayonets," added Lieutenant-Colonel Corning, and the brave men sprang forward on the double-quick, and were soon lost in the smoke which enveloped the plain. Incited by this gallant example of the 33d, other regiments followed, and, alarmed at this sudden counter-charge, the enemy broke and ran in confusion. In vain the commanding officer tried to rally them. They had started on the retreat, and would not rally. When the 33d was close upon them it discharged volleys into their retreating lines. The other regiments joined us, and for several moments a murderous fire was poured upon the enemy, who never stopped till they reached their entrenchments. Some tumbled on their backs and feigned death, while others ran towards us with uplifted hands, imploring us to spare their lives. More than two hundred lay dead and wounded on the field, among them the lieutenant-colonel and major of the 24th Va., and a captain on Magruder's staff. It was a most daring and brilliant exploit, deciding the fortunes of the day and turning what was to this time a defeat on the left into a substantial victory. Thus terminated the battle of Williamsburg. The 33d captured alone one hundred and fifty prisoners, and won the plaudits of the whole army for its gallant charge. On the evening of May 7, General McClellan rode into camp on his bay charger. The 33d being drawn up in line, he addressed us as follows: "Officers and men of the 33d, I have come to thank you in person for your gallant conduct on the field of battle on the 5th inst. I will say to you what I have said to other regiments engaged with you; all did well-did all I could expect, but you did more. You behaved like veterans -you are veterans. Veterans of a hundred battles could not have done better. Those on your left fought well; but you won the day. You were at the right point, did the right thing, and at the right time. You shall have Williamsburg inscribed on your banner." As "Little Mac" rode away, followed by his staff, cheer after cheer rent the air. →SHOT BY A COMRADE.~ HOW A DESPERATELY WOUNDED SOLDIER WAS PUT OUT OF MISERY. ENRY J. SAVAGE of the The writer, a member of Co. G, 1st Del. Infantry, was then attached to the 3d Brigade (Weber's), 3d Division (French's), 2d Corps (Sumner's). After wading Antietam creek, plunging through ploughed fields, stubble fields, and corn fields, his regiment was finally located within plain view of the enemy, when the welcome command ran along the line to "load and fire at will." It was then that our daily target practice at Fortress Monroe came into excellent use, as many a poor fellow of the 6th Ala. learned to his cost. After going eleven rounds, the writer was wounded and ordered to the rear. While retreating in good order, but making most excellent time, his route led him through a portion of the Irish Brigade. Here he saw a sight that capped the climax of horror. A mem ber of that brigade was aimlessly stumbling around with both eyes shot out, begging some one, "for the love of God,” to put an end to his misery. A lieutenant of the 4th N. Y. was passing by, and seeing the poor fellow's condition and hearing his appeal, he halted before him and asked him if he really meant what he said. “O, yes, comrade," was the reply, "I cannot possibly live, and my agony is unendurable.” Without another word the officer drew his pistol, placed it to the victim's right ear, turned away his head, and pulled the trigger. A half wheel, a convulsive gasp, and one more unfortunate had passed over to the silent majority. "It was better thus," said the lieutenant, replacing his pistol and turning toward the writer, "for the poor fellow could-" Just then a solid shot took the lieutenant's head off, and the "subsequent proceedings interested him no o more.” OLD WAR LETTERS. WHILE repairing a house in Quitman, Ga., in 1885, the workmen found between the ceilings and the weather boarding about a bushel of old letters. They had apparently been mailed during 1860 and 1861, and were never sent away. The house had been used for a post-office in the early years of the war, and these letters, in some unaccountable manner, had slipped between the ceiling and outer wall as stated. Many of the letters were perfectly preserved, while others were rat eaten and soiled. Curiosity caused the seals of several of these ancient epistles to be opened. Many of them were from girls to their sweethearts in the army; some from mothers and fathers to their sons; some from wives to their husbands; and a few were business letters. None of these letters ever reached those for whom they were intended, and a majority of the persons, both writers and those to whom they were written, "have passed over the river." LIFE IN THE TRENCHES. Twelve Hundred Dollars for a Barrel of Flour. Slabs of Corn Bread. -Į By R. C. BRAGONIER. į· UCH was the ominous condition of affairs that bright Sabbath morning in April, that when the devotions of Mr. Davis were hurriedly interrupted at St. Paul's in the doomed city of Richmond, its portent was quickly guessed and whispered from ear to ear, though the regular services were quietly conducted to the close. It was a message from the front sent by Lee, that he could no longer hold the lines, and Richmond must be given up to a now victorious army. That April day will never be forgotten. The end had at last come, and the terror-stricken congregation sadly dispersed to prepare for the last drama of the war. Never was dire confusion worse confounded than when the above tidings spread through that city. A mad, uncontrolled mob completed the horrors by open incendiary acts, so that when the exulting captors reached their prize it was but to see it in flames. That night our men noiselessly and mechanically filed out from the Petersburg trenches, concealing the movement by a general firing from the many mortars placed along the thirty miles of works. These queer looking guns had often made night resplendent from the thousand balls that were thrown in artillery duels to conceal some move or to provoke |