17 



beg:un fireino; on our skirmishers & made a heavy attack 

 on our rig'ht driving Genrl Johnson Ijefore them before 

 he had his Batteries in readiness, then that caused us 

 to throw our whole line into position on the advance so 

 then we had no reserve & we had hardly got our lines 

 formed in an open field before we could ijlainly see the 

 rebels moving up on us. We then formed on the left of 

 the Battery & 22 2nd on the right of the Battery & open- 

 ed on to them and as soon as they come within range 

 we opened on to them but their lines were too strong 

 for us & our fire only checked tliem momentairly & they 

 still kept advancing & we received the order to fall back 

 the battery lost all the horses from one gun & all but 

 two from another the gun that had no horses was left 

 on the field & our Regt helped to pull the others off of 

 the field we was driven back about two miles forming 

 several times and fireing into the enemy untill we were 

 relieved by other regiments & we left the field for that 

 day untill late in the eve we was again formed into 

 lines and laid on onr arms all night. That day's fight 

 w^as terrible all along the lines all day was one continuous 

 roar of canon & musketry the hardest days fight of the 

 war I suppose. Next day the 1st we laid along on the 

 lines canon could be heard at intervals all day. On 2ond 

 about two hours before dark they made a heavy attack 

 on our center & left & drove the first lines but when the 

 boys that were in reserve saw them coming they raised 

 with a yell & hurled them like chaff in the wind but 

 darkness stoped our pursuing them nmch that day. next 

 3rd we laid on our arms with some skirmishing. On 4th 

 learned of the evacuation and moved back into camp where 

 we laid several days & then moved into this camp where 

 we have remained ever since. The casualties of our Regt 

 was about 80 killed wounded & prisoners seven killed in 

 all. My Company lost none killed two prisoners & some 

 six only slightly wounded. I had been acting as Maj 

 ever since the 25th untill a few days ago. ]\[y horse was 

 twicw shot & I was compelled to let him go he has since 

 died None of the boys were touched that you knew I 

 must close this for the mail soon starts give my love 

 to all & write soon Capt James M Stookey 



E Co 59th Ills Inftrv 



