and fell back upon a line of
skirmishers, pursued by Col. Henry's command. The enemy's
main force was supposed to be some miles distant from this
place, consequently General Seymour had not taken the
precaution to protect his flanks, though marching through an
enemy's country. Consequently he found his troops flanked on
either side.

"Col. Henry drove the skirmishers back upon their main
forces, which were strongly posted between two swamps. The
position was admirably chosen; their right rested upon a
low, slight earthwork, protected by rifle-pits, their center
was defended by an impassable swamp, and on their left was a
cavalry force drawn up on a small elevation behind the
shelter of a grove of pines. Their camp was intersected by
the railroad, on which was placed a battery capable of
operating against the center and left of the advancing
column, while a rifle gun, mounted on a railroad flat,
pointed down the road in front.

"Gen. Seymour, in order to attack this strongly fortified
position, had necessarily to place his troops between the
two swamps, one in his front, the other in the rear. The
Federal cavalry, following up the skirmishers, had attacked
the rebel right and were driven back, but were met by the
7th New Hampshire, 7th Connecticut, a regiment of the black
Phalanx (8th Pennsylvania), and Elder's battery of four and
Hamilton's of six pieces. This force was hurled against the
rebel right with such impetuosity that the batteries were
within one hundred yards of the rebel line of battle before
they knew it. However, they took position, and supported by
the Phalanx regiment, opened a vigorous fire upon the rebel
earthworks. The Phalanx regiment advanced within twenty or
thirty yards of the enemy's rifle-pits, and poured a volley
of minie balls into the very faces of those who did not fly
on their approach.

"The 7th Connecticut and the 7th New Hampshire, the latter
with their seven-shooters, Spencer repeaters, Col. Hawley,
commanding, had taken a stand further to the right of the
battery, and were hotly engaging the rebels. The Phalanx
regiment (8th), after dealing out two rounds from its
advanced position, finding the enemy's force in the center
preparing to charge upon them, fell back under cover of