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34 that their first volley mainly went towards the tops of the woods. But after that they stood and fought for nearly two hours without seeming to stir out of their tracks. This was the longest stand still and fight that I ever saw; and what was more strange although they were in open ground, their loss was very small. Soon after the rebels began their attach to the left of our Regt became engaged. They captured a Colonel and Adjutant and about half dozen other prisoners. One man, in our company (which was on the right) was struck by a stray ball; it entered his forehead and passed entirely through his head. He died next morning. His name was Nicholas Hammer a Dane. He had served six years in Europe, and had participated in a number of battles. Another man was wounded which was the entire loss of our Regt. It was nearly dark when the enemy was repulsed. We lay on our arms in line of battle during the night. But there was little demonstration made by the enemy until about 9 A.M. when they made a furious assault on our Centre but were met, repulsed, and pursued for some distance. So ended the Battle of Fair Oaks. One good joke connected with this battle was that some of the chivalry having rode out in their carriages with their ladies to see the vandal Yankees driven into the Chikahominy lost their fine vehicles, horses and all 'a prey' (?) to the ruthless invaders and now citizens, take warning and keep at a respectful distance from battle fields, unless you go to be useful in some way or other; for, if you go to see the elephant tent to one bet you will get a better view than you desire. no possible good can arrise from your idle curiosity which really is an insult to the men who are doing the bloody work. and you will receive little sympathy from them in any misfortune which may befall you when you are so much out of your place. I do not mean to say that citizens might not do a great deal of good by assisting in caring for the sick or taking a gun and