enty-Ninth), had arms
stacked in a beautiful valley, in the rear of the struggling hosts. All
day long the storm of battle raged, and the men of the brigade were
congratulating themselves that for once, at least, we would not be
called upon to participate. Each regiment was ordered to kill several
sheep and beeves, found the same day on the lands of a rich Virginian.
While the companies were being served, a staff officer was seen riding
at full speed to Gen. Meagher's head-quarters, his horse wet with foam.
The men knew what that meant. We had seen it before. In a few minutes
the "long roll" sounded in every regiment, and in less time than it
takes to write these lines, the brigade was on the march. We knew from
the sound of the guns that we were not going from but nearing the
combat. Turning a ridge in the south-east, a fearful sight met our view.
Thousands of wounded streamed to the rear, in the direction of Harrison
Landing, on the James. Men with shattered arms and legs, some limping,
all bloody and powder-stained. Many defiant, but the badly wounded
moaning with agony. The head of the column, with Gen. Meagher and staff
in front, turned sharply to the right, with difficulty forcing our way
through the wounded crowds. We learned, subsequently, that after
repelling the enemy with fearful slaughter all day, towards nightfall
they pressed our left and attempted to seize the roads on our line of
retreat to the James. Not till then were Meagher's men called on, and
promptly they responded. While hurrying to the front, the Sixty-Third
being the third regiment was halted. At this moment a volley from the
left between us and the river, swept through our ranks. Seventeen men of
the regiment fell, among them being Col. John Burke, who received a ball
in the knee. He fell from his horse, but the mishap was for the moment
kept from the men. Lieut.-Col. Fowler assumed command, and before the
Rebel regiment had time to reload, four hundred smooth bores sent a
withering volley crashing through their ranks. This put a quietus upon
them.

"What regiment is this?" demanded an officer on horseback, surrounded by
his staff, who came galloping up as the men reloaded.

"This is the Sixty-Third New York, general," responded Lieut.-Col.
Fowler of that regiment.

"I am Gen. Porter, in command of this part of the field. I order you to
remain here to support a battery now on its way to this spot. Do you
understand, sir?"

"Yes, general;