358

LEE’S ATTACKS NORTH OF THE CHICKA HOMINY.

CHARGE OF A SUTLER UPON G. B. ANDERSON’S BRIGADE AT GAINES’S MILL.

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retreat. They took up their position across the road and showed a determinedfront, but might have been broken by an artillery fire from our elevatedplateau; unfortunately for us, there was no artillery to do this work.

Between 9 and 10 o’clock General Lawton and myself walked out alone toexamine the line of battle across the road, afterward discovered to be Meagher’sIrish brigade. We got within thirty yards of the Federals, and must havebeen seen, but we were not fired upon, probably because we were mistakenfor a party of their own men sent up to get water at McGehee’s well. We metthe party going back, and saw them go into their own lines. Not a word wasspoken by them or by us. At such times “ Silence is golden.” {

| After this paper appeared in “ The Century”magazine, I received a letter from William H. Os-horne, of East Bridgewater, Mass. , of which thefollowing is a part:

“ I read your article on the battle of Gaines’s Mill, Va.I was especially interested in tlie circumstances related

by you concerning the water party sent out from theIrish Brigade to McGehee’s well, and the adventure ofyourself and General Lawton. I remember the incidentwith great vividness, as I was one of the party. I was amember of Company “ C,” 29thRegiment, MassachusettsVolunteers, which was a part of the brigade referred to,but I have always supposed, till I read your article, that