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White family papers, July 1861-March 1865

1863-01-23-Page 03

infantry rose from the fences and poured a distructive cross fire into our Regiment which caused another very sudden halt and retreat.  We advanced again but were forced to fall back as before but not without "sum" punishment on the rebels while they almost descimated the 21st.  Here we lost 200 men, in killed and wounded.  This was the last day of the old year. We remained in the front till about 4 o'clock in the morning when the 1st Brigade relieved us, we taking their place just in the rear.  During the night Johnson's Division came up and took position on Davis' right, thus throwing us on the centre of the right wing.  But we were thrown in front again in the morning to help check a large rebel force - seven column deep - then coming up in battle order.  Johnson's Division gave ways without firing a gun I learn, although there was considerable firing on the right.  We mantained our position for about half an hour when we were forced to give way also.  Johnson's division broke and run indiscriminately.  Davis' division retreated on order a short distance but then broke and helped to increase the panic.

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infantry rose from the fences and poured a distructive cross fire into our Regiment which caused another very sudden halt and retreat. We advanced again but were forced to fall back as before but not without "sum" punishment on the rebels while they almost descimated the 21st. Here we lost 200 men, in killed and wounded. This was the last day of the old year. We remained in the front till about 4 o'clock in the morning when the 1st Brigade relieved us, we taking their place just in the rear. During the night Johnson's Division came up and took position on Davis' right, thus throwing us on the centre of the right wing. But we were thrown in front again in the morning to help check a large rebel force - seven column deep - then coming up in battle order. Johnson's Division gave ways without firing a gun I learn, although there was considerable firing on the right. We mantained our position for about half an hour when we were forced to give way also. Johnson's division broke and run indiscriminately. Davis' division retreated on order a short distance but then broke and helped to increase the panic.