Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-02
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE JOURNAL. /"
SMurH's Mills, June 18th. 1862.

Smiths MILLS, June 18th, 1862.
EDITOR RAFrsMAN's JoURSAL-DEAR Row
L have received the following account Of that
53rd Regiment took an active part, and have
been requested to have it published, believing
that it would prove interesting to your readers.
1t will be recolected that company ID of said
Regiment was raised IN Guelich and Decatur
townships in this county and Philipsburg Cen
ire county, and commanded by J. s. McKier-
nan of Janesville. The report is from a prl-
vate letter from said Captain, and is as follows.
''On Saturday the 3lst OF MAY we were ON
the qai Uire all the forenoon. as the firing in
dicated a battle SO that we expected the
order to march every moment. About noon
The welcome order came, and we moved at
once for the scene of action, leaving knap-
sacks. blankets &c, in camp. On arriving at
the Chlckahomlny we found the stream much
swollen, and experienced great difficulty in
crossing, waist deep, through strong current.
Cold and wet we arrived on the field OF the
late battle, for the enemy had fallen back
aud We lay upon our arms, that is the rezi-
ment, for Co. d and another company were or
dered forward on picket, and we Law so close
to the enemy that we could hear them moving
and talking, some of my men decIar-
ed they could hear them sn0re.
In the morning just at daylight one of
my men passed few yards beyond the lin.
into the woods when Zz-buZz-cafne two
shots, passing close to his head. He started
to run, but rejecting that the danger was past.
he turned and called out ssyou had better ding
a few more of 'em up here" scarcely were
the words uttered when we received a voIIey
We were then ordered in, and found the regi-
ment in line. The firing was in front aud we
were marched by the flank left IN front. as
we supposed to turn the rebel flank. The
wood is very heavy with dense undergrowth
and We had got but fairly into il when We
were surprised by the command-sEHalt -
Rest 10 The men thinking that they were in.
a place of safety. (frOm the order and many
OF them being weary and sleepy from the last
nights duty, three themselves down and
soon fell asleep. In less than fifteen.
minutes, however, the enemy opened
heavy fire upon us, and being unprepared,
sprang into line and opened fire, just at this
moment an aid riding along our front and
finding himself between two fires, wished to
pass to the rear and instead of ordering the
ranks to open, called out stFall back men, fall
back" This was mistaken by many who
heard it as order to retreat and, found
myself deserted by my whole command ezcspf
fourteen men. Never before or since have
experienced such sensation-to die where
we stood rather than retreat or surrender.
er our confusion, You never would have re-
ceived this from me. The men discovered
their mistake, however, and in two minutes.
rallied to their support and for four long hours
were under Calling fire,-behaving nobIy.
The order of fighting was this, the men would
fire then fall fiat and load, then crawl little
nealer, spring up aud deliver their fire. when
down they would go again-crawling and re-
peatng the operation. Three times were the
Rebels reinforced, and three times did We
drive them with the bayonet like frightened
sheep. The 53rd was the only regiment in,
Richardson's Division that was under fire du-
ring the whole time of the battle. Generals
French, Ric hardson and Sumner personally
complimeDted and thanked our Colonel for
our gallant and good conduct. The regiment
lost about one fifth of its number, in killed
and wounded. The loss in company ID was
two killed and seven wounded, out of forty
five men taken into action. The killed are
John ID. Glasgow and Madison McMuIIin
Wounded, Corporal E. 2 Fulkerson, leg am
putated, Pat. Connor, leg amputated, 4. NJ
Mahood, in the leg, l.. j. Murphy, in the wrist,
John Beal in the neck, John CantwelI and Ja-
cob Miller slightly.
During the fight the Colonel ordered me 10
lay down, and | got down on my knees, when
thought struck me that if | should be hit
it would be in vital part, wishing to see nv
men and to be seen by them / sprang to my
feet and remained all through the fight. NY
feelings during the fight were something like
those Of under the influence of opium
light and buoyant-I felt as If walking on
glass, and if L should step lightly. Since
the battle we have been in the midst of alarms
and as the General wished to make an advance
he thought it best to fell heavy piece OF tim
Der in our front which would make fine hold
for the rebels TO dispute the movement.
Accordingly on the Sth our regiment stack
ed arms and shouldering axes marching out
and leveling that forest OF tall pines. Gen
Richardson told us that the more trees we cut
down the more lives would save, so We
worked with a will. We were guarded by
three regiments and a battery, though the
rebels fired on us a number of times no one
was killed. 1t rains one half the time here
and we were without blankets, overcoats, or
any other shelter from the 3lst of May till the
9Th of June, when they were brought up. /
do not know when we will be in Richmond
but L hope it may be soon. | have written
this account because the newspapers do not
speak of the 53rd having done anything
shonor to whom honor is due.'"
A ROARING ORAToR.-.sMr. President,
shall not remain silent, sir, while have a