Mr. Editor—The public have already been informed, through the columns of the public journals, of the general results of the late engagements between the forces of General Lee and General Grant. But they have not yet learned the particulars, which are always most interesting, and in some instances, owing to the confusion which generally attends large battles, they have been misinformed on some points. It is now known by the public that the enemy were momentarily successful in one of their assaults on the lines held by Major General Breckinridge’s division, which might have resulted in disaster to our cause.
It will be interesting to all to know what turned disaster into victory, and converted a triumphant column into a flying rabble. The successful assault of the enemy was made under cover of darkness, before the morning star had been hid by the light of the sun. They came gallantly forward in spite of a severe fire from General Echols’ brigade, and in spite of the loss of many of their men, who fell like autumn leaves, until the ground was almost blue and red with their uniforms and their blood. They rushed in heavy mass over our breastworks. Our men, confused by the suddenness of the charge, and borne down by the rush of the enemy, retreated, and all now seemed to be lost. At this juncture the Second Maryland Infantry, of Colonel Bradley T. Johnson’s command, now in charge of Captain J. P. Crane, were roused from their sleep. Springing to their arms they formed in a moment, and rushing gallantry forward, poured a deadly fire into the enemy and then charged bayonet. The enemy were, in turn, surprised at the suddenness and vim of this assault. They gave back—they became confused; and General Finnegan’s forces coming up, they took to flight; but not until nearly a hundred men were stretched on the plain, from the fire of the Second Maryland Infantry, and many others captured. Lieutenant Charles B. Wise, of Company B, now took possession of the guns, which had been abandoned by our forces, and with the assistance of some of his own men and some of General Finnegan’s command, poured a deadly fire into the retreating column of the enemy.
Thus was the tide of battle turned, and this disaster converted into a success. I am informed that the whole force of the enemy which came within our lines would have been captured, had it not been for the mistake of an officer who took the enemy for our own men, and thus checked for a few moments the charge of the Second Maryland Infantry. I take pleasure in narrating these deeds of our Maryland brethren, and doubt not you will join in the feeling.
A Virginian.
In this affair the battalion suffered a loss of between thirty and forty men killed and wounded, as follows:
Battle of Cold Harbor, Captain J. Parran Crane commanding.
Capt. JNO. W. TORSCH.
Company A, Captain George Thomas commanding—Killed, privates Wm. H. Hollyday, Henry C. Owens; wounded, Alexander Fulton, mortally; Thomas O’Brien, severely; Frederick Heister, slightly; Wm. Hoffman, severely; John C. Henry, slightly; Thomas D. Harrison.
Company B, First Lieutenant John H. Stone commanding.—Killed, none; wounded, First Lieutenant John H. Stone, severely; privates James R. Herbert, severely; Rinaldo J. Moran, slightly; A. W. Neale, slightly.