Transcription

3

with its mud embedded trains in our front. -

Here we received information that Stoneman's

pursuit had been arrested near Williamsburg,

by the enemy occupying a line of fortifications

and that he was now falling back upon the infantry

for support, Gen Hooker, our division Commander

throughout the seige of Yorktown had been illy

able to conceal his disgust at McClellan's Extreme

caution, and now Secretly rejoicing at his absence

from immediate Command; was determined that

on this occasion, the rebels should not escape without

an engagement, so now, finding his way blockaded

by Smith's division, he earnestly sought and obtained

permission of his Corps Commander, to break off

and continue the pursuit by the Warrick road, -

a drizzling rain had now set in as we turned aside

and the roads became even more difficult to travel -

Darkness closed in about us, and frequents halts

had to be made to extricate the artillery from the mud,

but the men, catching the spirit of their gallant leader

uncomplainingly struggled on, At last we reached a

partial clearing, and were ordered to bivouack up on

our arms, - Though the rain had but partially ceased

and our beds but the soft wet earth, yet sustained

by youth and health our weariness brought us sweet repose -

The rain had ceased, though lowering skies still threatened

us. When at the earliest signs of dawn we were summoned

to resume our march, - A few miles further and we

came in sight of the rebel works and the spires of Williamsburg

beyond. Here our columns were deployed for immediate

action, our brigade, Composed of the First & Eleventh Mass.

the 2nd N.H. and the 26th Pa. forming the centre, Gen.

Patterson with his Jersey brigade to the left, and

Gen. Sickles' N.Y. brigade to the right.

Gen. Hooker knowing that he had more than

30,000 troops in near support to render assistance

if required, felt no hesitation in at once

Commencing the assault upon the Enemys Works. -