in IHP HP */ ; a p a'p _
ssso a sa,sr s 3r^:jriis a
Whole No. 2749.
'.ewlstuwn Post Office.
Mails arrive and close at the Lswistown P.
0. aa follows.
ARRIVE.
Eastern through. 5 33 a. m.
through and way 4 21 p m.
Western " ** " 10 3R a. m.
B**llefone " " " 2 30p m.
Northumberland, Tuesdays, Thursdavsand
Saturdays, 6 00 p. m.
CLOSE.
Eastern through R 00 p m.
" and way 10 00 a m
Western " " 330p m .
B'-llefonte f <">o "
Northumberland (Sundays, W -.lnesdavß
and Fridays) R 00 p. m.
Office open from 730 a. m to Rp. m On
Sundays from Bto 9 am. S. COMFORT, P. M.
I-ewistowu Station.
Trains leave Lewi*town Station a follows;
Westward. Eastward..
Baltimore Express, 4 40 a. m.
Philadelphia " 533 " 12 20 a. m.
Fast Line, G26p. m. 350 ••
Fast Mail, 10 38 "
Mail, 421 "
Through Accommodation, 2 35 p. m.
Emigrant. 9 12 a. m.
Through Freight, 10 20 p. in. 120 a tn.
Fast " 340a. m. 815 "
Express " 11 00 " 2 35 p. m.
Stock Express, 5 00 •• 9 05
Coal Train. 12 45 p. m. 10 3R a m.
Local Freight, 645a. m. G26p. m.
tfGn\braith's Omnibuses eonTey passengers to
and from all the trains, taking up or setting them
down at all point- within the borough limits.
TALES & SKETCHES
ESCAPE EROM GUERILLAS.
BY CORPORAL B.
During the advance of the Army of the
Potomac to meet the enemy at Gettyshuig
the troops at Harper's Ferry were ordered
to join the main army, in order that every
available man should add to its strength.
The hurried movement made it necessary
to leave a large amount ot Government
property to be subsequently disposed of
according to circumstances. A small guard
was detailed to protect it, the men being
selected from those least able to march.'
Being one of this number on account of a
recent fever, I was placed in charge of a
large amount of ammunition, together
with several others of tny regiment. 1 he
boxes of cartridges were piled closely to
gether, at Fort Duncan, and our shelter
tents pitched in the immediate vicinity.
We waited fur a day after the troops had
left, expecting the train tha' was to take
the boxes away, and which we were to j
accompany as a guard; hut they did not
arrive. The next d*y arrived and noindi ;
cations of an** wagons. It was but natu
ral that we should feel uneasy, for rumors
reached us ot many guerilla* hovering in
our vicinity, and waiting tor a chance to
steal an t destroy. While we were discus- I
sing the het means of making our escape
in ea>e the outlaws came in numbers. :
Jones came rushing into our small camp
out of breath, and informed us that the
'cut throats' were cloe upon is, and that
we bad no time to lose it wewwiveds v ed to
make our escape Remembering our in
structions to burn the pile in case ot ne- j
cessity. we hastily gathered the brush and
fence rails Iroui the vicinity and set- it on
fire. Observing that the flames spread
slowly, I was ordered to return arid light
the brush on the opposite side While so
engaged, I heard the feet of galloping
horses, and saw the butternuts dashing
round the turn of the road. The thought
of self preservation was instantly upper
most. My companions were gone and I
would have a clear space to cro-s before I
could reach the woods. Terrible as was
the alternative, I resolved to hide myself
among the hoxes of ammunition. Finding
an opening, I wormed myself into the mid
dle of the pile, aod strained my ears to
watch the movements of the enemy by
tbe sound of the horses feet Never shall
I forget my emotions while there almost
stifled by the smoke, and expecting mo
mentariiv the explosion of the ammunition.
I heard the voices of the guerillas as
they looked at the burning brush.
'Which way did they run?' exclaimed a
rough voice.
•They took to the woods.'
'Hank; you take a squad and hunt them
up. Hang the Yankees.'
They then began to drag awy the brush,
and my heart beat with dread, lor I knew
that if they extinguished tbe fire I should
be discovered.
'What is it, anyhow?' exclaimed the first
voice, which seemed to be that ot their
leader.
'Ammunition was the renly.'
'Well, 'taint no use bothering,' we will
look after the stores. Keep guard wh.le
we search '
T could hear the clanking of tbe sabres,
as the sentinel moved, also the crackling of
some dry twigs which 1 ad just caught.
Mereiful Heavens 1 I must perish! My
wife! My children ! I lainfed.
It was dark when I regained conscious
ness. I could uot for a time remember
where I was; but, by degrees, I recalled the
circumstances which surrounded me, and
began to tbink of some way to escape.
With great caution I moved from my
cramped positiou, to the edge of the pile.
The night was still, and the cn<on an hour
high. I could ditect horses tie ! to'he
trees and judged that the guerillas were
bicou. ii kin ;/ in the woods This belief
being confirmed by the expiring embers of
tires, and an occasional groan, like that of !
a restless sleeper, I determined when the
moon sank. [ would steal away, and trust to
fortune for escape
At 1 ast the moment came for my attempt
T crawled from my place of concealment, and
rolled myself cau'io'i-ly towards saaiue high
gras. Here I lay for a tew moments to
listen I could observe that the tire we
had kindled had gone ont on account of
the greenness of the wood, hut the boxes
of hard bread had Keen broken and re
moved, and the industry with winch the
ransacking had been done showed the per
pretrators' skill in devastation.
'Who goes there?' growled a husky
voice.
I was motionless. Presentl- a horseman
approached and answered, as I thought
'•street." I could not exactly distinguish
the word, which was evidently their count
ersign His orse turned his head towards
me and shied.
'W hat is the matter with you. Jack?'
exclaimed ihe horseman; and kicking his
horse he p ssed on a short distance, dis
mounting, tied his horse to a stump, and
joined the rest. I could percieve that he
was quite tipsy.
After some conversation, which I could
partially overhear, their voices ceased and
: every one seemed to be asleep.
'lf I could only get that horse,' I mut
tered to myself, 'I could escape, knowing
the woods and roads well.'
With the caution of an Indian I rolled
i myself towards the horse. He watched
nie and seemed alarmed, but did not at
tempt to break his bridle On rearing
him, I found - twig, and raising it gradually
i slipped the rein off the stump Roiling
over gently, I drew the horse after me.
Every few yards I paused to let the hor.-e
graze.
•Jim.' exclaimed the sentry, 'your horse
j is loose.'
A gr an was the only response.
'Jim. you lazy fool'
'Curse the beast. He won't go far '
I continued to let the horse feed, some
time, and then resumed his gradual ah
straction. Finally. I drew him to the turn
of the mad. and at once mounted. Riding
over the grass. 1 kept him on a fa-t walk,
until I thought his feet wool 1 not not he
heard, when I increased bis speed toucan
ter.
I ha' hardly reached Solomon's Gp
when I came suddenly on a rebel picket.
'Who goes there?' challenged the senti
nel.
'Friend,' answered I as gruffly as I
could
'Halt! huff! or you are a dead man.
Have v>>u got tbe countersign ?'
'Yes '
'Give it'
'The perspiration deadened on my fore
head Suddenly it occurred to me it must
he the name of one of their leaders, and as
my ease was despera'e, I exclaimed :
'Longstreet'
'Slight Advance.'
That I did so. it is almost, unnecessary
to sav I continued on up the hill until
out of sigh*, v hen I took a wood road,
q dte indi-tinct, -ind seldom traveled. I
had not gone far before I heard the sound
of horsemen riding with hate. After the
challenge I could hear. 'Which road did
he t?ke?' 'The Yankee.' 'Stole a horse,'
'Hang him!' and other exclamations of a
similar character shouted with wrath and
the plainly indicating my fate shou'd I fall
into the hands of these, lawless men
I dismounted and taking some salt from
my haversack, gave some to the horse; to
keep him amused and prevent hitu from
I neighing.
They dashed on I again mounted, and
pursued my way Bv morning I had
reached the edge of the woods, and was
near f'leasent Valley. All day I remained
concealed, and at night crossed fields and
woods until I approached the Catoctin range,
which I knew was held by our troops I
finally rejoined mv r giment in safety, and
was a hero for an hour The hoys admired
mv horse, which wes really a good one. If
I had been a rebel he might have become
mine; but as it is our rule. I next day re
ceived an order to 'turn him to the quar
termaster's department,' and now occasion
ally see my 'friend in need' ridden by a
wagon master.
t m n *
A little boy, after listening to a sermon
on the necessity of being born again re
turned home much affected, and said to
his mother : " I dont like that sermon ;
and ma, 1 don't want to be born again,
for who knows but I might then be a gal "
—" How much to publish this death ?"
asked a customer of a newspaper office in
New York. " Four shi.lings " " Why
I paid but two shillings the last time I pub
lished one " " That was a common death ;
but this one is ainrerrly regret e<l " " I
tell you what.'* said the applicant, " your
executors will not be put to that expense "
—Why H a rudder of a steam boat like
a puhlie hangman ? Because it has a
stern duty to pet form.
—Do at much as you can, for you
will be expected to do more.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1564.
jMmwpotii
Correspondence of the Harrisburg Telegraph.
From Ihe i)-.li l';. t av.nvy.
CAMS- 9TH PA. CAVALRT. EAST TEN*.
Nt-AH Moasl CREi-X St illoX. J AS. Ovi. ISC4.
Capt. Hancock, Co. I> of our legitueut,
is about to start home -n leave oi absence.
This affords me an opportunity, in the en
tire absence of mtii facilities, of drjppiog
you a line. Y our letter Irmu Indianapolis
wis received in Sparta before we crossed
the mountain. We have now been three
Weeks in East. Tennessee, Slaving pis el
through Knoxviile one week after the ter
initiation of the seige (Jar division, un
der the command of (den Eiliott, marched
immediately to Strawberry Plains After
a few days delay* we marched to New
Market nine tubes northeast. liere the
two b. igades.-eparated.thcsecond adv incing
on Mossy Creek, and she first (ours) upon
Daubridge. To reach this place we ielt at
4 a. tu , the morning of the 23d, and
arrived at—about ten. Alter stopping to
b>eakfast, we ruarched on in pursuit of a
b igade of rebel cavalry said to be en j
Camped in the neighborhood. About
three miles north of Datihridge we struck
their pickets, and pushed on so last as al
most to stampede the whole brigade. The
enemy retired immediately to a strong posi
tlun HI a woods, between two wooded hiils,
and near the French Road The 9th
Penua. was thrown foiwaid to feel the en
crny, and if possible, smoke ' ini out The
Ist East Tennessee held the right, and the
2d Michigan the left, while tw of oir
four pieces of artillery were holding forth
from a hiil in front. Matte - s appeared to
i e progressing finely, when apprehensive
of a snare our commander. Col Campbell,
ot the 21 Michigati, recalled the advance
ihe 9th had not regained the position of
the advance artillery, when the le i horses,
servants and stiagglers Came rushing lor
ward in the unu-w haste and contusion
A rapid an I heavy firing wis heard in the
rear The 9th Pentia being this - time the.
ueareast to tbe scene ot Ji> <ter, w is oroerct
to charge iniiiiediately. Coi .Joidingil
latitly led the charge with at-o-it .ne tbi <1
ot the regiment, all that he could get up
in time. The troops behaved ex reineh
well, and their gallant efforts were repaid
hy an immediate repulse of the rebels, and
the rescue, at the last moment, of two •>:
our guns whicu they had ju-' seized. A'
the very commencement ot the charge.
Et. Theopiiitus J. Mnuntz. eummanding
company E. was shot in the face, and al
most instantly killed. We drove rfie en*-
my for some distance, when the Colonel
commanding, fearing the return ot tin
brigade ot rebels. repulsed at the. beginning
of the action, ordered the withdrawal of
the 9th, and a retreat by the right fiuik
While the troops were being rallied and
the dead and wounded gathered together
a road was discovered, and a fighting r
treat immediately began The rebels
rallied in a few moments after our charge
and renewed the attack The 9th I'a. an i
the 2d Michigan covered our ieft finik
an J for about two miles the re tel- li i i to
he beaten hack a'lii held at hay at every
point that presented an opportunity for
defence The situation lor ah ut two hours
was extremely criticti, and the ri_rifi n_•
very persistent au i severe on both sides
Finally our perseverance triumphed, an i
the rebels tin ditto they could not swallow
us whole, concluded to give up the effort
Our regiment and the Ist East lenti l ore
the brunt of the tight, and to them espe
eially are due the honors They have
been highly conipiituented hy thecoma) and
ing General tor their conduct on the
occasion. Col Jordan deserves more prjise
than any other individual. I have not
tiuie to be more patticular at present
We ui irelied over to New Market, an I
came up to Mossy Creek. On the 27th
our division, in conjunction with other
troops, made a heavy reconnoissance in
front of Mossy Creek Station. The neuiy
held their ground so weil. and had so good
a position, that it was not thought ad
visable to make an attack. We retired to
our camp, after unking a show of figiif
nearly ail day. The day following our
camp was moved forward to the enemy's
positi n of the previous day. Next day.
29th December, we were ordered to fall
hack slowly from our position, in order t •
draw the enemy on better ground. The
rebels took the bait very greedily and fol
lowed up our pickets very closely They
seemed to think we had lost part of our
force, and advanced with great confidence.
As .the two lines advanced with the r
several lines of skirmishers stretched
across the valley, they presented a very
fine sight indeed. When they arrived
within half a mile of Mossey Creek Sta
tion, they were where we wished to have
them, aud our forces opened on them.
They attempted to flank us both on the
right and left, and then !y a desperate at
tempt on our centre to take our principal
battery. Col. Jordan, who commanded
the right and supported the hat'ery. made
a charge on them, which drove them back,
and baffl.'d this attempt. On the left,
where our loiees were commanded hy Col.
Ciiupbell, the rebels made ano-her very
boi i attempt. When they thou, ht their
otj*cf accomplished, they found h
reirtiuM>t <>i" in) utiy the "dud Michigan
cavalry aui the Ist Teaueaaee ready
to receive them A heavy fnsilade from
the two former, and a brisk charge by
about one third of the lit er, settled the
matter beyou-i dispute Our cnmi'es !•*!f
us the ground and a 11 number ot their
dead About the time these events oc
curred, the s en i division ot cavalry
Cauie in on the right. and rear ot tin* field
i he enemy had began to retire hetore -"his.
hut the s.giit ot Mi-h a powerful fimk
m >vement hastened their steps W- hid
difficulty in following them with s.iffi -tent
rapidity, and hy dark were in ijuiet pos
session of th" ground rt-limiuisiied in the
morning 'the artillery firing during the
day s fight was unusually severe, end very
accurate on both sides, ('apt. Miller's
battery (ot New Castle, Indiana) had two
men killed and six wounded. A sergeant
and a eon-oral had their heads blown off
hy ihe same hall, which struck their gun
as they were in the act of sighting it A
cannon hall in one i stance, passed between
the legs ot an officer, cutting the skirts of
his coat, and ripping Hie seams of his
pants. The same hall cut off the legs of
two horses. One poor Kast Tennessee
Captain was mortally wounded almost in
sight of the home of his childhood, and
yesterday was buried by his kindred living
in the vicinity We lost several men in
both of these actions, but no officer in the
latter. Our loss, that is of the whole
command, in the action of the 24th. was
Mity five killed, wounded and missing
In the action of the 20th our whole loss
was about thirty. We gathered thir'v six
of the enemy's dead on the field ot actum,
and learned from citizens in the vicinity,
that they hauled off in ambulances and
wagons a very iarge number indeed We
are very well satisfied wi h the result of
b th off >:ts. us th< y pmve to our minds
conclusively that we are not afraid tus'and
up tor our country ..nd (rod. and the honor
ot our noble .State is still safe in our keep
tflg
I have but time to ay in conclusion
that we are now encamped in line of battle,
all the troops being in posj'ion. It is said
toe enemy have been lirge v rein forced,
ami ore attempting a series of ft mk move
■limits (live tity most sincere regards to
• Hl r deir friends. And believe ni •to tie
a- ever,
CHAPLIN OtH PA CAVALRY
Published Lv Request.
\ xit u v nvt-i OK rtll*
FdRIY-MMB ,iE.HIP\r PEWI. VtlL'S.
CASPAI3-* 02 13 3
BY J G JACOBS, CO A . 43iil rtLG T. P. V.
(Jimp ntnf 'iriiii'i >j S "fion. Virjmi<t,
Juii it'i/y 5-'/f, lbo4
CROSSING THE RAPPAHANNOCK
On the 2Sih day of April, we took up
our line uf inarch, bidding fhrewell to our
old camp and winter near 15.-lie
ihain Landing, for the purpose of fully
ascertaining liie strength of the fir timed
m i well lunifiei place. Fre-itricks'oirg
l n.it vi-iv we mircbed to within one iu-1 a
half miles of the river At 2 o'clock rite
next m irniiig we were again on the march,
feeling ou r way 'mi l the darkness an I
thick !•>_• ot tfie night, F KMI we loun-1
>u selves mi the bank ot the R tpp *it MI nock,
where we found those in ch irge ot the
pontoon boats dragging them by hand to
the wafer's edge. 1 Ins to them was truly
laborious work, as they had dragged them
that tii lit. some two or three utiles over
tinny obstacles.
6 Kin all things were ready for the per
ilous and daring enterprise—the launching
ot the boats and the embarkation of the
little, but gallant band of patriots, who
were in the advance and ordered first to
cross the river, this failing to the lot of
the 3d brigade, Ist division, of which the
Fotiv Ninth composed a part The boats
with a heavy splash announced that all
things were ready. The Forty ninth being
the leading regiment of the d iy, first
moved torwaid and embarked for the op
posite shore. Here commenced our dit
j ficulties and dangers, which my peri will
fill fir short in doing justice to those
I brave men of the 3d Brigade. Suffice it
to say, that here the artist could have
found Wll iui iting employment for his pencil
Each one was hustling a> d jostling with
the other for such a position in the boat
as would give him the opportunity first to
land on the opposite shore. There were
forty five men tit each boat. The scene
was magnificent and exciting as daylight
began to throw his bright beam- upon
earth and water. The brave hoys were
straining every nerve in the swift plying
of the oars, that their boat might h ve
the honor of first landing on the enemy's
shore Meanwhile, the rebels were not
| idle spectators of our movements, -as they
secreted themselves in their rifle pi's and
behind their entrenchments, awaiting a >et
ter opportunity to pour into us a murder
ous fire This was well understood ; yet
undaunted and unwavering m r bnve buys
swept like a terrific cloud of tire over the
! torniddeu waters of the Rappahannock,
their bright and polished guns an 1 glist
emtig bayonets, their neat an 1 cleanly c >s
tumes g earning in the morning sun. and
their bold and defiant cuuntenanc JS gazit g
impatiently towards the enemy
COCK TKSIE3 AND COMPLIMENTS
Sou"! <ur tioits nump the •> oss of the
cueuiy, aud, at the nulla uuie, we Were
n i nrno x TT-i r . vv? c.t v : V v \
II 1 z rv2 / .2 -. . - x ©v* b \ .: .. g
welcomed he our re -el brethren w tii
sil ite t good ni'ruing oi s:ji-h tone* th
.v ni-i na'lir.iti\ lead o e to til--
we were -h-.t Vowing tliis as 'at tier
warm reeej we very s<> n concluded '
mo in' t e o..uk and return ihe conij'bmeii
in po "e ati-i war na in inner ! the e\
ig.-n -i s i tl-e fillies Would |-eriiilt. at o .<•
giving t ,ooi t. <lll tert:ilid ill it tw • ;-a
ties c ell 1 I'laV at the - uue g nil'* Rit
they hll no t ete for o--r •ourtes es. in eon
due.e 1 themselves in , very utmecoming
it toner. high v offensive to the niles • t
//•>■!\fi a'/ i hic ih i/ 1 hey waited but fui
one Miiiit. . and i>t-tore one half ot our par \
Could have the time an i pleasure of re
turning the common civilities of go- d
morning front our plain speaking and well ;
charged muskets, they fle-i They did not 1
seem to relish \ ankee complinieiits. for in
less than five minutes nut a •• grey back
Was to be seen
ATTACK ON THE ENEMY'S KIFLF. I'ITS. j
However, our work was not yet comple
ted. In front of us were extensive and
formidable rifle pits and weil cm structed ;
breastworks—the contents of which were
unknown to us They mnt be explored i
and examined Should they contain any \
'johnny refts*' they must fie removed
I order to accomplish this work we were
formed into double line of battle, and it •
was determined to carry the r flv pits at
the point of ihe bayonet The brave ,
General Russell moved forward at the head
of fll s brigade clo-ely followed hv the stl
hint officers mid men of his command
With cbcelv knit eyebrows aod cooipres j
scd lip fire ;a klin-g eye. and steady step,
they advance-! to the charge. which con
vinced me that they intended to perf.irm
their wo k in a uiastrfike manner On
war-1 in-tved our !' /{>■ i J if f > nr : tier& over
one. then another, a third, and so on until
we bad gained .ample room to land our
whole corps. All this was done wi'lumt
much resistance on the part ot our enemy,
and without any inconvenience to our boys
Rv this 11me pontoon bridges h.d been
thrown across tie river, and amph- force
had effected a landing cap.-.ftle of hoi 111 g
the gr- i|lid ig i - ! i I? "ft I '
br-lUght 'it (' ir M ' ' •-
C-IL'INLL \V I.L -, M H !:;\V. N
Rut I lll'lsl l<tl t: _ , 11,1 - IT:
ill s uieuior bie ii tn,ii. oth g i : o-i
--fi it.ori -t! he f.tr'v i - li nil! ' rtVe ind
touch loved taii . Wsn II I-wio received
a s-vere vv tuni while gilini'lv cbo-ging
a ; tlie h ad -if his r gl.iie if ittt . lh<- bank
of the river. So severe wis his wound
and impaired 'us health, th if he wi no ■
ble. sii'-scij'i -fitly, to i ike his rdace at the
head of tbe regiment, and Qoiily from
i these- aiises, wis c'l'iioelle lto resign None
of us could jus'ly coinprehend 'he vast
estimation in which this brave offi.-er ire
and still is held hy .is late co",man I. until
it unreservedly developed itself in the heart,
an i in 'he unceasing an-l anxious bur iry
of those hnv men who followed hint wi'ti
c-otfi leu -t- t* -uccess to m.iov a hard fou hr
and iibn iy fi.itt.le II >w could they other
wise io >w It ini fiut in cm ft lence? His
-galiaitt ravery is unn i-srione-1; his in
: d-tiu"abl co-ir tgc can lead no where, but
to siici-e-s; ins in inl V' HO 1 c-iu r ttf'us dispo
sitntii ail must aim re anil love; his supe
rior offi -ers in eooimind can he cultured hy
the so .re as Ins inleriors, so f'lT as energy.
Capability and unbending bravery is con
cerne-l; in a word, with such men in com
m ind, as 0"i Irwin. Treason an 1 Rebellion
would ere iong fic calling for rocks and
mountains to fall upon them and save
them the wrath and vengeance of an in
jured hut still glorious and mighty Repub
lie. So long as one of the 49 Ii rein tin I.is
name will tie honored and respected.
OFFICERS OF THE FORTY NINTH.
The wounding uf Col. Irwin caused the
command, through the rest of the engait
j meut.. to rest upon Lieut. Col. Hulings. an
officer well qudified to fill the vacancy
already mentioned Here permit me to say
i that the 49tii Regiment, P. V\ have the
; honor and pleasure of hoisting that all its
: officers from Colonel to Captains, from
Captains to Corporals, are tuen of nerve,
and in every way well qualified to discharge
any and all duties incumbent upon them
Perhaps, hy some, I may he considered
somewhat partial; yet the dictates of my
conscience prompt uie in stating that we as
a company have every confi fence and more
than ordinary respect for the offi.-ers in
command ot Co. A, Captain Wakefclas
a man all must love; as a brave Captain
and unflinching soldier, he commands the
respect and admiration of all Lieutenants
I Hiland and Thompson are the right kind
of men Orderly Sergeant James M Wis
is H young man, richly entitled to promo
tion; lie commands the respect and esteeeru
of all who know him. # Soon we expect to
see and have the pleasure of saluting him
as Lieutenant. None is more wor'hy ot
filling this po->t th HI the young gemktunn
1 have just reiere ito But lam consuni
ing too urich rime, ari l must return totne
battle fiel 1 ol Fredericksburg m orier hat
I may conclude my story concerning eveote
which took pice during our
vi-ir s icrii i>F THE KAPPAHANNOCK
ti i vi II g, a* I •cif ys l ite i. g-iine-l udjesenf
ground to estatilndi our line of i>attie, no
general engagement took place until Sun
d .y, the 3d day of \| i. Between three
and t-nir o'clock tn the tit irniiig we were
formed iu Hue of bailie, LUVl lite pre-
fiiew series—Vol. XVII . No. 14.
vinu- n ghts 1 in up >n our .r-r.-, ready for
my emergency At daylight the heavy
-it ■?•:iir commenced on our right Soon
it iiegan to te noisy in ttie eeuier. where
we were p stt*d. Ati i tn a lew minutes llie
thunder ol the cannon was heard on our
K it, a itinuucing With loud and deep tunes
hat a general engagement h .d > umeticcd
Ihe see IK'S and honors ot that and the
hollowing day huffl ■ all description and *ail
only t> t'-tiin ite 1 hy an overruling power,
during which tune, hid all the terrific
thun iers ol 11 ei en in 1 i;i the n >isy eie
uieiits of earth been collected and come in
collision they could .-earcely stirpes- the
deafening roil' ol c union and musketry.
Idut where is the 4 dtli? I liave said they
were in line of h.ittle, and, at this period
ol the conflict, encaged in supporting :i
ha'tery, lviug under a most treuicndous
shelling, which la-ted about thiee hours.
M'Pl* KTISG A BVTTKKV.
For the int'.nniM u ft! oe, it any there
he. who are not acquainted with the in >de in
which a battery i generally supported, it
may not he out of place to sty a tew words
in explanation. F-.r this purpose the regi'
inent. brigade or di*i-ioii. a- the case may be,
are generally f oun d in rear of the tiattery,
and when operations cnnuii-nce in the way
of shelling, which, by the way. is n"t eon
fined merely to the hur-ting of shells, hut
have an abundant mixture of- solid shot,
grape and canister ant. on sons occasions,
a small sprinkle of railroad ir 01—anv aod
everything cap ahle of punching* h deiiir mgh
the head or h >dy. N>t only sm) 'tunes, hut
frequently legs and arms are ampui t'*-d by
those awkward missiles, with mr the u I d
surge .n To iv .id -oh ui-ll i,e all i'h IS
p .ssi'.le w•' general.v lav tl if <*n the g iod.
an I fit" •I..sMr you ling tn tiler -'i t •:
t'-r. 0 i rising tt our f*et otfi •-'s g ■ er
ally -aiisti • i 'hit •• i-n mm hu-oh*y •! r
d--rs iu tins restie,-tpr onptlv. for "e ioi .
wear the ha lge ,f otf io-nce in air -in
organ- ; e-je -ia'.ly if it i- wet tn I ui t i .y
The in in wh • t.hen lis * eleiu -o .e. ;
ii i badge visible In-, it i- p i u. i • j-. c l
orders.
ST RMtSG "F MvHT's nv.I.IITa
I hiring our-tav ii tin- |-i a - . to - ir
and hei.u.l Fred-'icK-iiorg - i! to i I'M • I
w-'K wa- ii, ii. ..gre-s \J ,rv - ! -
h-* tak ti 1' I- em t'v : m-* v -
ing and eh rging khetn wh It it rn •in *r
bat'l'll *K th ■ f i- L ; r ' oili at"!
!>''■! - 1v! ;. !'. K '
IB nierß war! ire 1 ftViCV I •" f
! tit. I ... t. a ilv, .1 I:, ippe ft . -
o _ . . . : , .
d-ai a Ui" c-aitinu i -i- li
an I cmi-ter. mini'- aod oiu ' '• i
shot an 1 siieli was n oir-d '■
those i>ra',i men yet tt*ey >■ '
Vawning gaps of fallen c > il'a les • ■ -• i
c| uti hv their snrv Viir 111! vat 1 lid -.n*
ward they m ve they ca-t n • lingering i >uic
to the rear, where lit; in promiscuous con
fusion the dead and dying, re-em ,ii*ig io so
P" a ranee an extensive, ungathered del i of
wh" IT. whose shaves hive not yet been . Itecl
ed. 0! *ser and clo-er they c one. n. urerand
ii-arer th y approach the death dealing in -ri
ster ; fil'iy paces and shey are in the works.
Forward hrave hoys—doU'le quick the goin
in ind—th-'ii the usual terr ti ; veil of victory,
vengeance or death is heard above HIP dm of
halt le, and hand to hand the com hat cm fin
ues; hut tills ill ii" ->f warfare cum.. I last
I..jijr—.„ie of the parties uiu-t yield. Tne
cla-hing of bayonets. the d II an I heavy
s and of muket huts. a they -ink deep into
the heal- t-f their victims the sharp crack
of revolvers, the rattling rp #rt of musketry
can lie en lore I n i longer, for their lives tle-y
B*e or surrender—thus ended the smruimg
of Nlarv's Heights.
THE FIGHT AT SALEM HEIGHTS RETREAT.
A p irti >n of" i.-ur hrigtie w eigag-d in
this fearful work. l>uriithis twoe, the bat
tery win h we were supporting, ha i succeed
eI in silencing tnoae of (he in lr >nt
,if us. We were then ordered t.i S item's
I leights. Bum* three miles beyond Fredericks
burg. on the pi ink mad. wlier heavy
fighting was ratting N 'thwistanding the
brisk manner in which we in iruhej t > tiiat
point we w~re late to enjije in the fidit
tint evening. as the enemy had been driven
back and the fire ha I griiutily ceased. hut
only to tie renewed on the following "lay. May
4th. This, like the preceding day, was al*
in xt with nit a pirralM for obstinacy and
hard fighting. Tne • u-ketry wa desperate
in tlie extreme O wing to causes in we fuily
and satisfactorily explained in <<ffi rial rep wt
of our General than I arn aiiie to give, [
have but to any. order* were given to fall
back in the evening, and during the nig t
all the troop* re'cros-ed the river in safety,
where we lay for a few days in mud and
water On summing up the action* of the
49th Regiment. P V. in this engagement. I
have hut t> say glorious boy*! you have
manfully d<>ne your part. N • word* of untie
can do justice to your unfiin. hing courage
and bravery; suffice it to say. that you were
tiie first to cross the river, you fired the first
and last gun—!eing tiie leading regiment in
crossing, and th* rear guard when re or .ssing.
marches and cucvter marches
B it here 1 Sol inv-ell in niucii liS - n!ty.
My letter ha*already been more lengthy than
interesting and iny ta*k not haif concluded.
Y-t n-cessitv demands that I reserve the
hardships and fatigue w- endured >ti our
march from Fre f*r> ksourg to Gettysburg ;
our conduct in th it engage nem ; ..ur return
hv way >f il igerstown. 'Villia nsp.irt and
Warren ton, thcuce to Raccoon P ird >'n the
Ripidan; our ret* "grade movement fr in
then-e by wiy of Uuipeppcr to CentreviUo
II rights; our fwwird movement fr<mi that
plate to NVarrenton. ih*n-.;e to Rappahannock
Station at which pla te we ht i ah tr;. en
gig on "i*, in w'ai" ti w ■ , tii i\ i j
brie Goya, hit wi bg! :• • - j • e
Pi Br oi iy Stall oi. Ir on i s .i, -...i tine.
Ml oe R.io. etc.. South of tiie Kipultn en
£1 -ging 'h° Pti-inv at thee |, i n. ; fiu . !v
I-Ilf M'jrtl t ■ -Itir f irni: . •
•I V >'~l i All I b-'s f ■
it) the utoljfj wi Uie ~t.hu, n w iwu, aw* kmi