In the first collision on the Chickahominy between the advance of McClellan’s army and the rebels at Newbridge, on May 24th, the 4th, led by Colonel Woodbury, waded the stream under a heavy fire and gallantly assailed and drove off a superior force, losing only eight men, while it captured thirty-seven prisoners, of whom fifteen [...]
{ 0 comments }
Mr. Greeley, in his American Conflict, ” says: “The first collision on the Chickahominy between the advance of General McClellan’s army and the rebels occurred near New Bridge, where the 4th Michigan, Colonel Woodbury, waded the stream and assailed and drove off a superior force, losing but eight men in all, and taking thirty-seven prisoners, [...]
{ 0 comments }
A secondary object of the expedition was to obtain information in regard to the roads and fords in the vicinity. Lieutenant N. Bowen of the Topographical Engineers went with the expedition; as also a squadron of the 2d regular cavalry, under command of Captain Gordon; a company of the 5th cavalry, Lieutenant Custer; a company [...]
{ 0 comments }
In some places the stream, which had been swollen by the rain during the night and morning, was so deep that the men were obliged to swim, and none got over without wading waist-deep. The enemy, who had lain concealed behind a fence close to the opposite bank of the river, kept up an incessant [...]
{ 0 comments }
Their cannon were planted on a hill beyond, while the infantry still kept position behind the fence, which in addition to having an embankment as a base in the style of old Virginia fences, had a deep and wide ditch in front. The shooting continued for nearly two hours. Our men drove the rebels behind [...]
{ 0 comments }
Of the thirty-seven prisoners we took, fifteen were wounded. Our men brought them on their shoulders across the stream, whence they were taken to a dwelling house near by, and every possible care given them by our surgeons. They all expressed astonishment at the care shown them, and stated that they had been told that [...]
{ 0 comments }
Do you think anything can stop you from going to Richmond?’ he asked and an enthusiastic No!’ rang from the whole line. “All the officers of the regiment behaved remarkably well. General McCellan telegraphed immediately to General Porter that the 4th Michigan had covered themselves with glory. The 4th was engaged at Hanover Court House, [...]
{ 0 comments }
The regiment was also engaged at Savage Station, June 29th; at Turkey Bend, June 30th; at White Oak Swamp on the same day; and on July 1st at Malvern Hill, where it became conspicuously engaged, losing its colonel, Woodbury, who fell at the head of his regiment, and whoso brilliant career in the service had [...]
{ 0 comments }
Some, mangled and bleeding, suffered intense agony; while others, far from kindred and home, lay dead or dying in the forests and swamps through which they had retreated. The enemy in full force still pressed them hard, determined at one fell swoop to utterly destroy and capture all that remained of that proud army. Late [...]
{ 0 comments }
Without suffering or pain, unconscious of the shaft that death had sent, his body sunk to the earth, and his spirit passed to the God who gave it. ” He had fought his last battle, No sound shall awake him to glory again. ” With Woodbury fell Captain A. M. Rose, killed, and Lieutenant J. [...]
{ 0 comments }
