61ollt,
HUNTINGDON, PA.
Weluesea
morning, _Feb. 11, 1863.
W. Lewis, Editor and Proprietor
4
„,..„ 07 ,
~..,rIV . "VS
l' . "' - r,i-;','''C
/
",,,t... 0 r-•-'4l
. -I •_ ° . - ,t - '
O,"'W
Our Flag Forever
" I know of no mode in which a loyal citi
zen may so well demonstrate his devotion to
his country as by sustaining the Flag the
Constitution and the Union, under all circum
stances, and UNLIER • EVERY ADMINISTRATION,
REGARDLESS OF PARTY rOLITICS, AGAINST ALL
ASSAILANTS, AT HONE AND ABROAD."
A. DouobAs
PLAIN QUESTIONS.
If a man is very anxionsito spread
the report of a Rebel victory, and ex
aggerate the numbers of Federal killed
and wounded, do you think ho is a loy
al citizen ? If he loudly expresses his
opinion that we .cannot conquer the
South; if he constantly praises the
Rebel Generals, and depreciates our
own, do . you think him a loyal citizen?
If he wishes_ his favorite commander
to level his bayonets against the Pres
ident and Congress, instead of the ene
mies of the nation, do you think he is
sa loyal'eitizen ? If he denounces eve
ry effort to destroy the power of the
rebels, as a breach of the Constitution,
do you think, him a loyal citizen? If
ho declares the war, upon the issue of
which depends our national existence,
to be "a war for niggers," do you
think him a loyal citizen? If ho de
fends every dirty dog who is arrested
for howling for Jeff. Davis, or for
plundering the government, do yon
think him a loyal citizen ? If ho talks
of compromise and conciliation, and
declares for "peace at any price," do
you think him a loyal citizen ? If he
is : very anxious to hang all "abolition
ists," but notatall anxious to hang rob
elsole you think him a loyal citizen ?
If he profesSeS to be for the Union, do
yOU lielieve him? 'Do you not think
that he •is, in favor of secession, with
its concomitants of endless warfare,
anarchy, and confusion•?
WHEN the British steamer Antona
was captured in the Gulf by tho Poca
hontas, she had a - Mobilo pilot, who
went on board at Havana, having
left : 1 / 4 fobile two weeks before:' lie was
promised two thotisand dollars for safe
pilotage. A letter from a correspon
dent on board the Pocahontas states
as follows :
" He says the people in and about
Mobilo suffer much. Shoes $l2 and
$l4 per pair; coffee $1 per pound; salt
scarce and very dear. Ho says that
the success of the Democratic party at
the last elections fills the
. rebels with new
hopes: They count upon an early
truce by which they might profit.—
If the Republican iiarty had had a ma
jority at the last elections, he says the
rebels would, have laid down their arms;
and but for that, peace would have been
sought on the best terms possible."
. .
Here we see that the Rebels count
every vote cast for the Democratic can
didates as Certain aid to their Wicked
cause. We feared this at the time,
and so expressed ourself. But we de
ny that the Democrtitie masses inten
ded that their votes should be used for
such a base purpose. The leaders may
deceive their Southern friends into the
belief that the party is disloyal, but
the day will surely come when such
leaders, the Hughes, the Vallandig
hams, and their tools scattered over
every county in the loyal States, will
be crushed beneath the iron heel of a
loyal . public opinion. If the same se
cession sympathisers aro permitted to
control the organization of the Demo
cratic party in this State, during the
nest campaign, their victories will be
few and far between.
Reconstruction.
We reprint from the Richmond Dis
patch a furious article warning the con
servatives of the North that the South
will accept no terms for a reconstruc
tion of the Union. It was not neces
sary for the Dispatch to pile up tragic
sentences so high in announcing its
determination. If the South don't
choose to return to good sense and the
Union by-mild means, its madness will
only compel the Government to draw
the screws tighter and bring it back to
its place by force, and hold it there by
force, if necessary. The language of
the Dispatch about its territory being
despoiled and its people killed, is quite
refreshing. Its bill of grievances
sounds Very much like a boy stoning
his father, and then complaining to
the world because the parent chooses
to flog - the miscreant into submission.
—LycontingGazette.
THE Mora Movr..—Con Thursday
last, Mr. Benedict read in place joint
reolutions proposing an amendment
to the Constitution, so as to extend the
right of suffrage to soldiers in actual
military.serv,ice. If the rebel sympa
thizer at home has a vote, the soldier
fighting to saver our . country from de
struction should certainly be permit,
ted to enjoy the same privilege.
Ex-GOVERNOR Morgan, (Republican)
of' New York, has been electcd,United
States Senator from that State.
The country is troubled walla great
deal of outcry professedly in favor of
some terms of peace with the rebels,
says the Philadelphia worth American.
This outcry has very little basis in
genuine opinion on
: the part even of
those who are most noisy about it.—
It is a party device—a trick to make a
case merely—a feigning of grounds of
dissatisfaction in order to create hos
tility to the present Administration,
and so to get others in power. Of
course a few men are beside themselves
with bitterness arising from the pun
ishment their own misbehavior has
brought on them. There arc men this
side of Mason and Dixon's line many
of whose natural place, when lines
were drawn with the rebels, was on
the other side of the line; Mit of this
positively hostile class, there were
never enough to enable them to carry
an election here without a tremendous
exercise of ingenuity first, and of par
ty despotism next.
But as the pretences of professed
clamorers for peace have really done
some harm, and are likely to do more,
it is necessary to call attention to the
state of things they would bring about. ,
Let us suppose the preliminaties of a
peace with the rebels named, and a
suspension of hostilities. The very
first step in such a movement is equiv
alent to an assumption of the debt of
the Confederacy, if there is to be uni
on, or equivalent to the creation of an
immense permanent military and na
val establishment, if there is to be sep
aration. Suppose there is separation.
Are we to give up the forts, posses
sions and property of the Union on the
Confederate coasts ? If so, we concede
to them almost , an equality of military
and naval strength, or else must pre:
pare to hold Fortress Monroe, the Flor
ida forts, and other costly and import
mit establishments. We must give
them twenty millions worth of proper
ty or prepare a standing armament of
great strength to defend these posts.
Neither in yielding nor in holding
them can wo in any way save our
selves. The only thing is to conquer
all or yield all.
Next, as to the financial aspects of
reunion by treaty; we must assume
the whole of the Southern debt, say
five hundred millions of dollars now.
with a hundred millions to add for
contingencies. The losses of citizens
on both sides must then be paid, and
rivalry in claims as well as rivalry in
generosity will make an enormous bill
of losses in every Southern State.—
Two
hundred millions of dollars would
be required at least. Again, an equal .
treaty must bring with it equal pen
sions to soldiers, equality in final pay
ment for service in everything after
the initial step is taken. At that mo
ment, the cost of the war is suddenly
doubled on us, for we of the - loyal
States have it all to pay. The South
had little financial strength to begin
with, and now its internal condition is
frightful in comparison with what it
was before the war. The desolation
of a vast conscript system has made
such havoc as we have never dreamed
of at t,hc North. The South cannot
pay the cost of anything after peace.
In either case, therefore, we have a
double financial burden thrown upon
us, and the vast sum of obligations of
the Government falls one-half in value
at the instant. This is the first great
fact the half-crazed partisans who rave
about the Legislatures of two or three
of the Northern States, now should be
compelled to look in the face. Do the
thousands of holders of government
securities in every class of society
wish to see one-half their property
suddenly disappear ? Do business
men sufficiently appreciate the danger
these brawlers, pretending to wish for
peace, are bringing on everybody ?
There is no chance of escape from the
depreciation of values which would
follow. The day laborer would lose
half his wages, as well as the business
man half his business. The ruin would
be universal, all can see, if the public
debt is to be doubled under union by
treaty, or the public resources dimin
ished, while heavy future expenses are
rendered necessary under separation
by treaty. In either case, twice as
much is taken from us as now, and all
that is taken is thrown away.
Let any one who wishes give atten
tion to the detailed application of this
aggregate national calamity, which
submission to the rebels would bring,
and see what its effect would be on him
self. It will then be easier to judge of
the real character of the men who are
trying to divide the North, and to
force a dishonorable peace. At the
outset they may deceive a few who do
not take the trouble to trace causes to
their consequences, and they do this
the more readily because so little has
been said to seriously controvert the
assertions of the party leaders. Know
ing
their hollowness and worthless
ness, their partisanship, which is rea
dy at any rime to seize on anything
that can aid-them to power, however
much the public aro endangered, we
have long been accustomed to pass
them over without attempt at refuta
tion. But.now they seek to do that
which at a blow, annihilates half the
strength and half the resources of these
States, and to plunge us in utterly ru
inous indebtedness. Look at the prac
tical • results,. and see what guilt is
meditated,
-STEPHEN
ngton'e 'Birthdap-22d hist
Peace.
The Charleston Affair.
Correct accounts of the late affair
near Charleston completely contradict
the blustering reports that were tele
graphed to Richmond. It turns out
that several of our blockading vessels
were attacked by the rebel rams, but
they escaped, though they were disa
bled. The' prize steamer, Princess
Royal, which the rebels were especial,
ly anxious to secure, because she had
on board a most valuable cargo, also
escaped. The rams only attacked the
Mereedita, the Keystone State and
Honsatonick, which, being of light
draught of water, were nearest to the
harbor of Charleston. The rest of the
blockading squadron were undisturbed.
So it is made clear to the world that
Beauregard's silly proclamation about
the blockade being raised is nothing
more than so much waste paper. 'An
attack was made by the rebel rams,
which failed, and on the strength of
the failure, the rebels claim that the
blockade is •raised. If they thought
such an assumption would be admitted
by the United States Government, or
even by the European powers, they aro
mistaken. The blockade has not only
, not been raised, but it is stronger and
more efficient than ever.
lox. HENnnicK B. Wututur.—On
the sth inst., this gentleman rose in his
seat in the lower house of Congress to
make a personal explanation. We
copy from the proceedings of that date:
Mr. Wright [Dem.], of Pennsylvania
rising to a qUestion of privilege, said
that his colleague (Mr. Stevens - ) in a
recent speech, had charged him with,
after having made some patriotic re
marks, advising compromise and con
ciliation, which, in such a case was to
make " a covenant with hell.". Mr.
Wright denied that he had ever pro
posed such action. The compromise
he suggested was with regard to legis
lation to secure harmonious action.—
He denounced the rebellion out and out,
from the threshold, and every man
connected with it. lie was fur vigor
ously carrying on the war to put down
the rebellion. He should compromise
with no rebels in arms. He was sen
sitive on the subject of the charge. be
cause it was so distant from. his feel
ings and desire. He was for no com
promise, except an honorable one, by
which the country can be saved ; but
not while the rebels are in arms, and
in a threatening attitude.
These are the sentiments of every
loyal Democrat in the North. Such
rebel sympathizers as control the _Mon
itor cannot endorse them.
TIIE following toast was drank in
Harrisburg last week by an officer of
the 11. S. Army. fro was in the com
pany of a number of his secession sym
pathizing friendsat a drinldng saloon :
" Jeff Doris, the next President of the
United States, to be inaugurated within
the next four months."
There are too many such men com
manding the loyal and brave men in
the army. They are there for the
pay, and to defeat our arms whenever
favorable opportunitijs offer. The
day is coming when such men will be
Lung up like dogs.
P. S.—On Wednesdny, the office•
drinking the toast, was arrested and
sent to Baltimore and turned over to
General Schenk, who will no doubt
have him court-martialed. He is a
Lieutenant in the 56th Regiment P.
V., by name Frank P. Robinson, a
Pittsburge•.
Re-organization of the Penna. R. R.
On the Ist of. February the follow
ing changes were made on the Penna.
Rail Road :
The Road from Philadelphia to
Pittsburg, formerly divided into four
divisions is now divided into three,
viz : the Philadelphia, Middle, and
Pittsburg Divisions. G. C. Franciseus
is Supt. of the Philadelphia division,
S. D, Young is Supt. of the 'Middle
division, and Andrew Carnegie is Supt.
of the Pittsburg division.
Robert Pitcairn is Snpt. of Trans
portation, and is in charge of the Hol
lidaysburg, Ty roue & Clearfield and
the Bald Eagle Valley Branches. Ile
assists E. Lewis, Genl. Supt., and acts
for him during his absence.
The Engineer Department has been
reorganized, as follows:
W. H. Wilson, Chief Engineer.
J C Sbarpless, Rest. Rug. Phila. Div.
Jos M Wilson, " " Middle Div.
J. S. Love, " " Pittsburg "
J II Linville, Engineer Bridges and
Building; and J. P. Laird is Superin
tendent of Motive Power and Machin
ery.
AID 4ND COMFORT FOR THE REBELS.
—A. M. Patton, member of the House
of Representatives from Greene coun
ty, on Wednesday last offered a reso
lution declaring that if the Adminis•
tration persisted in weakening the
rebels by taking from them the labor
of the slaves, it can have no further
claims upon the loyal State of Penn
sylvania for mon or other means of
carrying on the war. Mr. Patton
should be passed over the line.
WE have been informed that the
Caucasian, a rebel sheet, formerly the
Day-Book, published in New York, is
distributed gratuitously in several
townships in this county. The teach
ings of such sheets will, bring sorrow
to many families who do not now see
the snake in the grass.
VALENTINES I
Saturday next, the 14th, is St. Val
entine's Day. All who wish to select
from an extensive stock of grave, sen
timental and comic Valentines, should
call at Lewis' Book Store. Afine se
lection for the juveniles.
Important Decision.
The . following decision rendered by
Judge Taylor, in the Common Pleas
of Cambria county is of the utmost im
portance to the public in general and
the soldiers in particular:
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CAMBRIA COUNTY :
The School _District of Washington
Township vs. John Brown. No. 5'2,
Sept. Term, 1862.-1/. Vend. Tx.
Rule to show cause why tWrit should
not be
.stayed, the Defendant being in
the service of the United States.
Per cur. Jan. 7, 1803
It is admitted that the defendant is
in the army of the - United States, in the
three years volunteer service. The act
of 2d April, 1822, provides that " no ex
ecution or other process shall issue
against any officer, non-commissioned
officer or private of the militia, when
called into actual service under a re
quisition from the President of the
United States, or in pursuance of the
orders of the Governor of this Com
monwealth; nor shall any such process
issue against him until thirty days af
ter he shall have returned from duty,
to his usual place of residence, or until
forty days after he shall have been
discharged."
We are reminded that this Act has
been held in one of the judicial dis
tricts of this State, upon the authority
and reasoning of a class of decisions
which deny to the Legislature the
right or power to deprive a plaintiff of
the fruits of his judgment, or 'to grant
a defendant a stay of execution fbr an
indefinite period. The want of power
is not made to depend upon the length
of the period, but upon the uncertain
ty of its duration or termination.—
With respect, however, to two classes
of State militia, or volunteers in ,the
service, the drafted militia and nine
month's volunteers, the period of' ser
vice is fixed and definite. Those who
volunteered for three years or during
the war aro understood to have en
gaged in the service, like the enlisted
men in the regular army, for three
3 - ears; which period may be shortened
by a termination of the war within
that time. Otherwise, the period is
no less deli mite than that for which the
nine month's men have engaged to
serve. It is an enlistment fbr three
years, with the chance of an earlier
discharge upon a contingency. The
obligation is to serve the definite peri
od of' three years if the exigencies of
the service require. We do not, there
fore. think it throwing more than a
doubt in favor of men who have left
their homes and business and are per
ittng, their lives for the cause or their
country to look to the obligation in
construing and applying the statute,
so as to give them the benefit, of the
exemption which it provides. This
view of the point, moreover, avoids the
incongruity of adopting a different rule
for the two classes of men—those ml
gaged in the nine months and those en-
gaged in the three years service—stand
ing in equal merit. It recognizes, also,
the very strong merit of those who
- May claim the benefit of this patriotic
and beneficent enactment—the motive
which prompted to the passage of the
original Act, and which is evinced by
th e Legislature in the passage of the
kindred snpplemerttu•y Act of 11 th
April, 1862. Every one who may
justly claim the protection of this law
has merit in his elahn which should
not, we think, be disregarded upon a
mere doubt or scruple as to the con
stitutional power of the Legislature to
grant him such protection. The rule
is, therefore, made absolute.
[By the Court.]
The Release of Mr. Boileau.--He Admits
his Wickedness, and Promises to Sin
no more.
BALTIMORE, Feb. 2.—The following
is the letter of Mr. Albert 1). Boileau,
of the Philadelphia Evening Journal,
on which his release was granted :
HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE DEPT., 1 .
Sth Army Corps, Baltimore, Feb. 1.
T. Albert D. Boileau, citizen of Phil
adelphia, editor and publisher of the
Philadelphia Evening Journal, now con
fined in Fort McHenry for the public
ation of an editorial article under the
title of "Davis' Message," in that news-
paper of January 20th, 18G3, and ibr
the publication of other articles of a
like dangerous character, tending to
the support and encouragement of the
rebellion against the Government of
the United States, do hereby freely.
and voluntarily express my regret for
the publication of that article, or of
any other article of like tendency or
character, and do distinctly disavow
such article ()Particles being published
with my proper authority or knowl
edge; and declare that such publica
tion has been made by other persons,
agents, or employees, without my
sanction and intention.
And I do hereby give to :Maj. Genl.
Robert C. Schenck, commanding the
Middle Department and Eighth Army
Corps, by whose order, iu behalf of
the Government, I have been arrested,
my sacred parole of honor that, upon
being discharged from my present im
prisom»ent and the suspension of the
publication of my newspaper being
removed, I will not write, print, or
publish, or permit others, in my name,
to write, print, or publish any article
having such a dangerous character, or
tending to the support or encourage
ment of the rebellion, but will demean
myselfin all things as a true and loyal
citizen of the United States; intending
only to support the Government, the
Constitution and the Union, as a faith
ful citizen should.
And it is-to be further understood
that these declarations and pledges
are made as well -to relate to matter
hereafter to be published in the week
ly newspaper" called the Democratic
Leader, made up from the Philadelphia
Evening Journal itself, and to any oth
er newspaper that may be published
or controlled by me.
Given at Baltimore, this the Ist day
of February, 1863.
ALBERT D. BOILEAU.
1.16 W GAMBLER'S TIIRIVE.—The rooms in
Cleveland occupied by Contisk, a noted gam
bler, and one of those concerned in the flee
cing of Paymaster Cook, were cleaned out
by an execution lately, when some curious
discoseries were made. There were peep
holes in the walls, through which an accotn
plies of the gambler, stationed outside, could
see the hold of his victim, and a system of
wires and hammers under the floor by which
he could communicate to his principal the re
sults of his observations. The contrivance
lookd very much like an infringement of the
potent of the Well known spirit-rapping ma
chine.
WAR r EWS.
TIIE WAR IN MISSISSIPPI.
The United States Rain, Queen of the
TVest, Runs the Blockade.—A Rebel
Vessel-Crippled.
CHICAGO, Feb. 7th—A special des
patch from Cairo says that the steam
er 'Mali ne has arrived from Vicksburg.
The U. S. ram, Queen of the West ran
the blockade on Monday morning at
daylight. One hundred heavy siege
guns were opened on her and as she
steamed past, a rebel steamer also
opened fire on the Queen 'of the West.
The latter replied, and crippled the
rebel steamer. The Queen was under
fire three quarters of an hour.
FROM FORT DONELSON.
Another Attach by the Rebels.—The En
emy Repulsed with Great Loss.—Our
Forces Pursuing them.—Rebel Loss
Over iOO Killed and 300 prisoners.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 7.—The follow
ing report has been received at the
headquarters of the army : _
.111 - wfrcesboro, Tenn., Feb. 6.
To Major Ge»eral H. TV. fiatlock, Com
mander-in-Clhief :
The rebels under Wheeler, Forest,
Wharton and Woodward attacked Ft.
Donelson yesterday at ten o'clock, P.
M., with four thousand men and eight
pieces of artillery. Wo had eight hun
dred men in the fort, under Col. H. C.
Harding.
They charged the fortifications sev
eral times, but were repulsed by our
artillery and infantry with great loss.
The enemy, as usual, before and af
ter the fight, demanded a surt'ender,
and offered to spare life, &c., &e.
Colonel Harding replied that he was
ready for all the consequences,
The enemy's loss in killed was over
100 and 111 priSOllCni 300. ,
Our forces under Colonel Lowe,
from Fort McHenry, are pursuing
them, and others have been sent to in
tercept their retreat. Our loss was 12
killed and 80 wounded.
(Signed) W. S. ROSEGIZANS,
Major General
Department or North Carolina,
The Great Expedition of the Day.—The
Rebels Terribly Agitated.
Moorhead City, .Y. C., February B.
Thursday evening. January 30th, via
Fort Monroe, February 6th. The wa
ters between here end Beaufort are
slack with vessels of all kinds, which
are only awaiting the abatement of
the severe gale which has been pre
vailing for the five days past. Capt.
J. E. Slanght, Chief Quakermaster of
this Department, has completed his
arduous labors in fitting out the great
expedition of the day. His great nau
tical ki:owledge and general experi
ence, aml skill commands the admira
tion of all.
The enemy are terribly agitated and
trembling with fear. The next gale
from the South will bring to your ears
the clashing and resounding of arms,
and the army is in a splendid condi
tion and in the very best of spirits ea
ger fbr the conflict, with all its flatter
ing prospects of success.
General Wessel is left, in command
at Newbern with an adequate force
fbr any emergency.
OUR CORRESPONDENCE.
ISTOR EDATUR yn dew perfes
to giv kerreet infurmash'un oft evry
subjee, 1 wud begg leaf to state that I
foal very onwell and w i nd like to no
wat kjne o' fizziek is best four me to
take. I plide to the Edatur of the
Monitor, but he end not tel me, as his
larnin is not beter as mine is.
Solomon Sniper
I=
Brod Top Citi, Pa., anuari, the last
da.
.A.NWER.—S Wall= Murray's Grain-
Mar in pills, and wash it down with a
decoction of Webster's Dictionary.
BAST BARGEE, Feb. 2, 1863.
Ma. LEWIS:
Sir :—ln the" Globe "of
the 28th, ult., I noticed a paragraph
stating that James T. Owens, former
ly a typo in your office, was one of
the " three hundred 'braves" of the
Anderson Troop who behaved so gal
lantly at the battle of Murfreesboro.—
Allow me to say that W. Wallace Borst
was another " brave" of the same or
ganization who participated in the
same engagement. Wallace is a na-
live of Huntingdon county, and con
nected himself with the Anderson
Troop at Carlisle. Ile will never
bring disgrace on himself nor his na
tive county,' but will always do his do
t -. It A. R.
Our Army Correspondence.
[The following report hag been sent
us, and we publish it with great pleas
ure, especially as the gallant young
Davis of West township is noted for
conspicuous valor.]
TrEADQUARTEM 77T11 REGT. P. V.,
In Camp Near Atuitreesboro,
January 8, 1563. _
To D. C. Witgner, A. A. A. Gen., sth
Brigade;
SIR :—I have the honor to make the
following report of the 77th Regt. Pa.
Vols., from the time of leaving Camp
near Mill Creek. Tenn., Dec. 26, 1862,
to the, end of the battles befbro Mur
freesboro, January 3, 1863, viz,:
We broke up our camp near Mill
Creek .1./ec. 26th, 1802, sent our wagon
train to Nashville, and took up OM'
line of march in the direction of Shel
byville, on the Nolinsville turnpike,
and encamped 4811011 distance beyond
Nolinsville.
Dec. 27th, 1862, we continued our
march in the same direction, and on
the same road. At 8, A. M., we en
countered the enemy within two miles
of Triune. We were immediately
placed in position, with the balance of
our brigade on the left of the road.
Our front line was composed of the
29th Regiment Indiana Volunteers on
the left, the 34th Regiment Illinois
Volunteers on the right, and the 30th
Regiment Indiana Volunteers in the
centre. Our Regiment and the 79th
Regiment Illinois Volunteers welt,:
held in reserve, but advanced with the
brigade, our regiment covering the
29th.
;Skirmishers were thrown forward
by caoh of the three first named regi
ments, as also were two companies, B
and G, of tho 77th Regiment P. Vols.,
who occupied the extreme left of the
front line of skirmishers. In this po
sition we advanced towards Triune,
driving the enemy from his . position,
and took possession of the town, the
enemy retreating towardg Shelbyville.
We encamped about a mile beyond
Triune, near the turnpike.
Dee. 28th, 1862—we remained in
camp where we stopped the evening
before.
Dee. 29th, 1862—we retraced our
march on the same road for two miles
and turned off on a dirt road, running
an easterly course, into the Salem turn
pike, at the junction of which we si
lently and without fires, encamped for
the night.
Dec. 30th, 1862—we marched to
wards Murfreesboro on the Salem turn.
pike for about three miles, when we
were thrown into column by divisions
into the woods on the right of the.
road, with the balance of our brigade
and division. At this time, heavy
skirmishing was going on on our left
and in Front.
We advanced for a short distance,
when our Regiment and the 30th Re
giment Indiana Volunteers W01.0;01 ,
&red to change front to the right,' de
ploy column and throw out skirmish
ers. Wo advanced ; moving towards
the right of the general line of battle,
for about a quarter of a mile. We
then changed front to the loft and oc
cupied a dense cedar grove. The po
sition of our Regiment was now on the
right of the 2 . 2 d Rogiinent Ind. Vols.,
of General Davis' 'Division. It was
then that we received a heavy fire
from a rebel battery that was station
ed on the right and in front of us, in
an open field by the edge of a woods,
at a distance of 500 yards. After a
sharp skirmish, it was silenced. We
.thon threw out pickets and reinaino
fin. the night. Our position was now
On the lett of the Brigade and on
the right of Davis' Division.
Dee. 31st, 1862—we were under
arms at 4, A. M., and at daylight we
discovered the enemy in large force
in front. within 60 yards of our pick
et's, who immediately commenced fir
ing, when the enemy advanced to a
curious attack.
As the pickets retired, our Regiment
advanced to meet.the enemy, and-re
sisted their attack with desperate val
or, repulsing the forces iinmediateiy
in front with great slaughter, and
compelling them to retire across the
brook, where we first found them post
ed, and into a cornfield beyond.
This was the first attack that was
made on our lines, but almost at the
same time the enemy's columns which
were directed on those regiments on
our right, pressed furiously onward,
bearing down everything before them,
Those regiments on our right, after a
short but desperate resistance—as was
shown by the great mortality on both
sides—were obliged to fall. back. '
Soon after this, the regiment on 'our
left changed position to our rear, leav
ing our regiment Completely isolated,
and battling against great odds, With
great danger of being surrounded.—
At this time, we were ordered to re ,
tire for • about 150 yards, and then
march to the rigid, :..
hie, to re-attach ourselves to the bal
ance of our brigade, which had been
driven frdm its first position. While
doing this, we fell in with a portion of
Gen. Davis' Division, and were advis
ed that we had better co-operate with
that division for the present, as our
brigade had by this time retired so fUr
that it would consume much valuable
time in finding it that could be used
at this particular juncture to great ad
vantage by reinforcing one of his, Gen.
Davis', brigades:
We posted ourselves on the right of
Gen. Davis' division, in front of which
was a rebel battery at a distance of
400 yards; a little to the right and in
front of this was Edgarton's battery,
which had been previously captured
by the rebelsin the onset, and was still
in their possession. It was here tlait
our regiment charged alone,re-c4ptur
ing Edgarton's battery, and up to the
guns of the rebel battery, through a
hurricane of grape and canister, until
we wore confronted by several thous
ands of the rebel infantry, when, as we
were unsupported, were obliged to re
tire to the line from which we started
on the charge, leaving our Much loved
battery in the hands of the rebels, as
we had no means of moving it off; yet
we were as much repaid for this des
perate charge, as for any we made du
ring the day, in damaging the enemy
and holding him in check.,
We retired in good order, and halt
ed and formed in our previous position
on the right of Gen. Davis' division.—
Here Col. llousum
The battle was now hotly contested
for some time, when our forces began
to give - way, fiercely pursued by the
enemy, who came near taking one of
our batteries at, this place. As soon
as the battery was safely off, our regi
ment retired to the fence On the oppo
site side of the field about 00 or 70
yards, where we stood alone Mr some
time, contending with the rebels until
they eonunenced sealing the fence on
our right, and left, making the third
time that we were almost surrounded.
We now retired to the woods and
again made a stand, notwithstanding'
the sweeping fire to which we were
exposed.
Everything in our vicinity was at
this time in disastrous conflision, and
we commenced retiring slowly, but as
we kept our 'regiment all the time in
perfect order, we were enabled to
stand and fight wherever we could find
a fraginentofalino to rest on, or wher
ever we could gain a position in which
we could for a minute successfully
make, a stand.
" When we came near the Nashville
andlllUrfreesboro' turnpike, we fell in
with a portion of the 20th Regt. Indi
ana Vols., under the gallant Maj. Col
lins, also a portion of. the 30th Regt.,
Indiana Volunteers : These, with our
regiment, were now formed together
as the remnant of the old sth Brigade,
under Col. Dodge as brigade comman
der, We were posted in the edge of
the woods by General Johnson, on the
right of General Van Cleve's Division,
which had just come up.
The rebels were now coming on with
ten-fold more impetuosity and our men
were ordered to, lie down quietly- be-
Itiad a fence, which partially protected
us. We Waited here until the Rebels
were within a, short distanbe, when we
tip and delivered our fire with such
good effect that the, rebels- began
to give way. We then pit - oiled into
them with whoop and yell, all the
time delivering a most destructive fire,
and soon the whole rebel column was
in full retreat. We drove them half a
mile when our ammunition gave out,
and being relieved, Ivo retired to the
train to obtain a fresh supply.
This was the first important cheek
that the rebels received, as it saved
our ammunition train, and secured for
our forces an important position.
From the break of clay until 12 21.,
our regiment was - under constant fire,
and terribly our ranks were thinned.
At night the regiment went on picket.
January 1, 1863.—W0 remained un
der arms on the crest of the hill where
we ended our final charge on the 31st;
At 4 P. M. we received a heavy fire
from a rebel battery, which was soon
silenced.
January 2.-4-We remained in Jim.
some position as ofi the firs(;.,A heavy
battle was fought on the left in which
we took no part: In the evening wo
went on picket. A heavy skirmish
took place immediately in front of our,
January 3.—Still remtined under
arms in our old position. At night, ill
the midst of tho rain, the - gnal strutg;
gle was made, in which we took no
part.
During this great battle oar little
regiment did no discredit to the MI
Keystone State from which we have
been so long exiled. Officers and men
stood up to the work and did Alien*
duty nobly.
Among those noted for conspicuous
valor I must call attention to Adjt. S.
'P. Davis, who rendered invaluable as
sistance throughout the battle; also,
Captains F. S. Pyfer, of Co. K, Philips
of Co. G, Wm. A. Robinson of Co E,
and J. J. Lawson of Co. C, all of whom
cheered and encouraged their mon
throughout the battle with a prompt
ness and coolness, which belong to
none but veteran officers.
That our regiment never once broke
in the midst of so much disorder shows
that the men behaved like veterans—
as they are.
We went into action with 1288 nletP
and 17 officers. We lost in killed five
men. including Colonel Honsuin.
wounded 29, including one Lieutenant,
and 29 missing, including one Captain
and one Lieutenant. Total casualties,
63. Of those missing the greater part
are undoubtedly either killed or taken.
prisoners.
I must not forget to mention the
valuable services of Dr. Downey, the
Assistant surgeon of our regiment.
LW remained with us throughout the
battle, and displayed the most indomi
table energy and courage in attending
to our wounded and superintending
that part of the Medical department'
which came within his sphere.
I regret to.say that notwithstanding
the great valor displayed by the Regi
ment as a body, there were a few mis-.
°rabic cowards, who skulked away du-.
ring the excitement of the battle, and
left their comrades to bear the brunt,
of the battle. I have carefully obtain.
ed Oeir names and rank, however, and,
shall fbrward them without delay.
I have the honor to be, most re
spectfully, your.obedient servant,
Thos. ELLWOOD ROSE,
From, the 125th Regiment, Penna. Vole
3 - 1:J-roan Counr
January 39, 1863. -
•
Friend Lewis :—As we are now in.
Mau quo, I thought I would scribble n
little about the 125th and its doings to.
your numerous readers.
In the first place, yon must under,
stand that this regiment has been ex
ploring this God-forsaken country, - .
from _Harper's Ferry to this place,.
(situated about ten Miles from Freder,
icksburg), and can tell you to a frac:
tion, the 'depth of every mud-hole or
the route.
We left FairfaX Station Sanitary 19,
en route for Bigot's Grand Reserve/
Corps. (We fight mit Sigel, but few '.
of us drink -nit him.) The first day
we crossed the Occoquan creek, tlit
next brought us to the ancient town;
of Dumfries, famous for wenches and;
rebel raids on sutlers. That night it
commenced raining, and when we pull
ed out the next morning, we were a
pretty sight to gaze upon—half drown
ed, and the mud up to the hubs. I did
think of grumbling when the water.
began to percolate down my spine, but
on second thought, I considered it all
went towards putting down the rebel
lion, so I said nothing. Laying idle
three months in the best of weather,
and marching as soon as the roads get,
so bad that a mule could hardly pull it,
herring olf a gridiron in them, may be
the way :to put•down rebellion, but 3:
must confess my optics aro not sharp,
enough to discern the point, if it has
any.
I will give you a few statistics of
the regiment. When we came out,
our regiment numbered 953 rank and
file ; since then, we have lost by
deaths and diSeharges 144, which re- •
duces our present force_ to 809, rank
and file. Of this. number, 152 are ab
sent, sick, from the regiment, 20 are
on detached service, and 25 on extra .
duty ; remaining for duty, 560 non-.
commissioned oficers an - privates,
and 37 field staffand company officers;
total for duty 606—a pretty good fall-.
big off in six months.
The health of the regiment at pros
ent, is excellent, thanks to the untiring
attentions of the ne plus ultra of army
surgeons. L Cummins understands,'
his dutyand does it, - Which can be said
of very few of the M. ll.'s in the army.. ,
Ile is ably assisted by Assistant Sur- .
geon A. Davis, a gentleman of courte
ousness and professional skit).
Our living, thanks to the commissary
department. (nicknamed by the boys
misery department). is tolerable, with
the exception of bread. We get hard
tack in its original purity. I wilt
back one of them against all the bullet .
proof vests ever invented for turning.
a minie bullet. This is a pretty hard
place to get grub, but we have a com
missary sergeant, S. G. Baker, who
can get provender, if it is to be had.—
To sum up in few words his qualifica
tions for the position, what he don't
know aboui, drawing rations, ain'U.
worth knowing.
The snow is about 9 inches deep and
the mud under ad I(bitam. I think wo
will anchor here for a month, at least,
until the roads get better. Hoping to
have the pleasure. of' looking on your
jolly 'dz sometime in May next, 1 re-•
main yours. Tp!nEi-tooontir,: