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Oliver Boardman correspondence and journals, 1861-1863

04_Narrative Page 04

one or two Regts came to the assistance of our Brigade fired avolley or two over us got confused and fell back in disorder. It never came into my mind that we would have to retreat I thought they would give way after while although they were continualy being reinforced till we were almost surrounded we held our position however till ordered back by Gen Sherman then we had to run the gauntlet to get out we had to cross an open field three or four hundred yards wide many apoor fellow never got across. every butternut showed himself as soon as our backs were turned to them. they came pouring out into the opening after us in mass yelling like demons and in almost as much confusion as we were. I loaded and fired at them twice while crossing the opening, and I think with considerable success. once I didn't have to fire over forty steps. I came across one of the 46th Ohio badly wounded but trying to get off the field. he asked me to help him which I did till we were about to be over taken I then left him and hurried on. but soon came across Capt Saunders and Henry Roberts our color bearer. they were helping one of our Company by the name of [Kelle?]. he was badly wounded but was in good heart I took the Capts place and Roberts and I helped the poor fellow as long as we were able but finaly had to leave him. we then went to hunt the Rest but found it was considerably scattered we found Ed [Weed?] Charley Clavers and one or two others of our Company and about twenty others of our Regt that was in sight but we didnt go the the right direction to find the main part of the Regt.

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one or two Regts came to the assistance of our Brigade fired avolley or two over us got confused and fell back in disorder. It never came into my mind that we would have to retreat I thought they would give way after while although they were continualy being reinforced till we were almost surrounded we held our position however till ordered back by Gen Sherman then we had to run the gauntlet to get out we had to cross an open field three or four hundred yards wide many apoor fellow never got across. every butternut showed himself as soon as our backs were turned to them. they came pouring out into the opening after us in mass yelling like demons and in almost as much confusion as we were. I loaded and fired at them twice while crossing the opening, and I think with considerable success. once I didn't have to fire over forty steps. I came across one of the 46th Ohio badly wounded but trying to get off the field. he asked me to help him which I did till we were about to be over taken I then left him and hurried on. but soon came across Capt Saunders and Henry Roberts our color bearer. they were helping one of our Company by the name of [Kelle?]. he was badly wounded but was in good heart I took the Capts place and Roberts and I helped the poor fellow as long as we were able but finaly had to leave him. we then went to hunt the Rest but found it was considerably scattered we found Ed [Weed?] Charley Clavers and one or two others of our Company and about twenty others of our Regt that was in sight but we didnt go the the right direction to find the main part of the Regt.