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Oliver Boardman correspondence and journals, 1861-1863

07_Narrative Page 07

awhile as the enemy worked hard to get us out of our position. they brought two or three batteries to bear on us not more than three or four hundred yard distant and undertook to make acharge or two with their Infantry, but only succeeded in being repulsed and loosing all their cannon. About noon or after as the enemy had been driven back aconsiderable distance it was necessary to move forward, after which we fought with the Infantry. we fought that way about three hours and had the great satisfaction of seeing the rebels completely routed. It was decidedly the best sight I ever saw [black circle with X enclosed]. It was then that our cavalry that had taken no part whatever in the two days engagement formed in splended array in alarge open field close at hand, and followed the rebels at a respectful and safe distance. The Infantry that had been held in reserve pushed on till night capturing what cannon and baggage had not been left on the field. I followed but alittle ways after they had given way. I soon saw I had done about as much as I could do in one day and I thought there was plenty to follow that perhaps felt more like it than I did and I had better [find?] our Regt as we would get no credit for what we would do away from it no matter how well we done. One of our little party Charley Glover of our Company was slightly wounded. the rest of us escaped without ascratch. Roberts carried our [baggage?] safely throug though it had several holes shot through it and the staff was divided intwo while in his hands. We went over the ground where we fought the day before to see if we could find any of our boys in need. we found Whitmore of our company in atent where he had been carried by the rebels the night before badly wounded. he said they had treated him like agentleman. they had fixed him a good bed brought him water and set up with him part of the night. I heard agood many other wounded men say the same of them. we carried him to ahospital about ahalf amile distant. then after looking over the field awhile doing what good we could to the wounded Ed Weed and I and Roberts went to the landing where we passed another cold wet night without blankets or fire, without fire because we could find no wood. The next morning as bad as I felt I was considerably diverted by watching the huge throng of soldiers as they went moping around hardly able to get one leg before the other. the excitement had passed off and they seemed to feel extremely used up. their faces were drawn down as long as a brick with about as much expression in them. they were somewhat blacker though as they were powderburned and very

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awhile as the enemy worked hard to get us out of our position. they brought two or three batteries to bear on us not more than three or four hundred yard distant and undertook to make acharge or two with their Infantry, but only succeeded in being repulsed and loosing all their cannon. About noon or after as the enemy had been driven back aconsiderable distance it was necessary to move forward, after which we fought with the Infantry. we fought that way about three hours and had the great satisfaction of seeing the rebels completely routed. It was decidedly the best sight I ever saw [black circle with X enclosed]. It was then that our cavalry that had taken no part whatever in the two days engagement formed in splended array in alarge open field close at hand, and followed the rebels at a respectful and safe distance. The Infantry that had been held in reserve pushed on till night capturing what cannon and baggage had not been left on the field. I followed but alittle ways after they had given way. I soon saw I had done about as much as I could do in one day and I thought there was plenty to follow that perhaps felt more like it than I did and I had better [find?] our Regt as we would get no credit for what we would do away from it no matter how well we done. One of our little party Charley Glover of our Company was slightly wounded. the rest of us escaped without ascratch. Roberts carried our [baggage?] safely throug though it had several holes shot through it and the staff was divided intwo while in his hands. We went over the ground where we fought the day before to see if we could find any of our boys in need. we found Whitmore of our company in atent where he had been carried by the rebels the night before badly wounded. he said they had treated him like agentleman. they had fixed him a good bed brought him water and set up with him part of the night. I heard agood many other wounded men say the same of them. we carried him to ahospital about ahalf amile distant. then after looking over the field awhile doing what good we could to the wounded Ed Weed and I and Roberts went to the landing where we passed another cold wet night without blankets or fire, without fire because we could find no wood. The next morning as bad as I felt I was considerably diverted by watching the huge throng of soldiers as they went moping around hardly able to get one leg before the other. the excitement had passed off and they seemed to feel extremely used up. their faces were drawn down as long as a brick with about as much expression in them. they were somewhat blacker though as they were powderburned and very