n front of the wood,
and in the rear of a white plastered farm-house. A narrow wood-road led
us into the wood, and filing to the left we connected with troops
already in line of battle. The position was hardly taken before the zip!
zip!! zip!!! of Minie balls informed us that we were objects of especial
interest to Rebel sharpshooters. In another minute flashes of flame and
puffs of smoke, that appeared to rise from among the dead foliage of the
wood--so closely did their Butternut clothing resemble leaves--revealed
a strong, well-formed, but prostrate Rebel line. The firing now became
general upon both sides. Fortunately our position was such that they
overshot us. Our men continued to aim low, and delivered an effective
fire. Three times they tried to rise preparatory to the charge, and were
as often thrown into confusion, and forced again upon the ground. For
nearly two long hours the rattling of musketry was incessant. Finally,
the Rebels made the discovery that the supply of ammunition was
exhausted upon the right, and the right itself unsupported. It, of
course, was the point to mass upon, and on they came in solid columns to
the charge, completely outflanking our right.

To hold the ground with our formation was simply impossible. The order
to retire was given; and facing by the rear rank--the Regiments
preserving their ranks as best they could in that thicket of black-jack,
and carrying their wounded,--among them our Major, shot through the
chest--made their way to the open space in rear of the wood. The colors
of our regiment were seized,--but the first Rebel hand upon them relaxed
from a death shot,--another was taken with the Regiment,--and the flag
brought off in triumph. So completely had they gained our flank that
our ranks became mixed with theirs, and nothing but the opportune fire
of our batteries prevented their taking away a Field Officer, who twice
escaped from their hands.

As our Brigade re-formed in the rear of the batteries, treble charges of
canister swept the woods of the Rebel ranks. We had suffered heavily,
but nothing in comparison to the destruction now visited upon the
Rebels. To complete the horrors of the day, the wood was suddenly fired,
evidently to cover their retreat, and the fire swept to the open space,
enveloping in flame and smoke the dead and wounded of both sides; and
all this at the very time when throughout the length and breadth of this
Christian land, thousands of churches