Page 172:
June 1862
30The revolutionary period
may have been the time that
tried men’s souls: but this is a
time that tries mens’ bodies,
and especially their stomachs.
We get nothing to eat save a
few hard bread which the men
brought along; and the poor horses
eat what they can pick up of
themselves. At Savage’s station
after allowing my horse to eat all
he wanted I filled my saddle bag
with corn. I realize the need of it
now.
This morning we had some
coffee and hard bread for our
breakfast. McClellan’s staff and
Franklin’s with us. It was the first
time I breakfasted with the Orleans
Princes. Joinville too.
Page 173:
1862 June
3 Contd.
About 11ok a.m. we rode out with
Genl. Franklin to examine our position
and Genl. Henitzleman afterward joined
us. A battle was in anticipation and
really seemed inevitable. Our division
was posted in support of the batteries
Taylor being on the right and Newton
in the center. Our division was to have
for its work the holding of the line
on the right of the road. Smith’s
division was to the right of us.
About 1ok p.m. the ball
opened with firing artillery
on the right. Then there was
random picket firing on our
left an in front of Hooker as
I afterward learned.
Our troops were ordered
to hug the ground and a small
scouting party sent ahead to
Page 174:
feel the enemy. This soon returned
announcing that the enemy’s line
was issuing from the woods
into the plain before us. Capt.
Platt was at once ordered to
open fire with all his batteries
and “comb out the woods” to
use his own very expressive
language. The firing on our
part was terrific. The enemy
at first replied briskly sending
shot and shell around us. But
they soon stopped. Our fire however
kept on uninterruptedly for half
an hour. No one could live in front
of it and soon we had the satis-
faction of learning that the enemy
had passed to the left, and across
the road.
The firing of our batteries
now became slower and slower
finally ceasing entirely.
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About four o’clock the engagement
was proceeding warmly on our left and
somewhat to our rear. News came that
Genls. Robinson and Berry had just
charged the enemy and repulsed
them. Our men gave hearty cheers.
Afterward intelligence came that
the enemy were pressing us back
on the left. The General sent me
to Genl. Heintzleman to ask permission
to attempt a flank movement and
thus relieve Kearney + Hooker – “By
all means”, “By all means” says the
veteran soldier. The Jersey brigade
and Bartlett’s were ordered to
undertake this the former being
put under charge of Kearney himself.
How Sturges’ eyes glistened when I
told him.
But they were not needed
Sedgwick was ahead of us and
engaged the enemy before we
Page 176:
June 1862
30
reached the scene of action.
A little after dark the
firing ceased along our lines and
now we expected every half hour
to receive orders to retire: but none
came. Lieut. G. was sent to
McClellan for instructions. The
General himself rode to Heintzleman.
Still no orders to move.
However about midnight
they came, and soon [carrot: after] the division
was on the march.
I did nothing but cling on
to my horse and almost vainly
try to keep from sleeping.
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