Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-10-22
lMPoRrANr WAR NEWS.


eral Hancock, comprising his entire division,
together with Dana's brigade, from Sedgwicks,
and under command of Col Lee, of the Twen-
tieth Massachusetts, regiment. together with
four batteries, two regiments OF cavalry and
one battery of flying artillery. They left
Bolivar Heights. and proceeded out the Win
chester and HArper's Ferry turnpike towards
Charlesto xn. in the following order:
First, the Sixth New York Cavalry. Colonel
Devisn. and battery OF Flying Artillery. un-
der the command Of Lieutenant Colonel Nc.
NIckers, First B ,tfsiion next. the Fifty third
Pennsy lvaria Volunteers. and FIRST Minneso-
ia, OF the Third Brigade, under Colonel
Brooks; following these were Tompkins'
Rhude Island Battery (six pieces.) tn. remain
der Of the Third Brigade. under Colonel Look
next, Captain Thomas, U. 5. A, with six pie
ccs following came the Second Brigade, un-
der General C.dweh; Captain Pettit's First
New York Battery, with six pieces were next
in order following them the FIRST Bri-
gsde OF General Dana from General Sedg
wick s Division, under the command OF Colo
uel Lee, and joining us afterwards. was hat
talon OF Cavalry OF the Third Indiana.
In this order they advanced until just after
crossing Halltown, which is some four miles
from Harper's Ferry, A battery of the rsh
els, comprising not more than four pieces,
opend at short range upon our advance. their
range being so shor; as To fIil to Reach the
parties for whom il was intended.
The Fourth Regu ar Battery, under Lieut.
Dicker.ou. promptly returned their fire, and
| with such effectiveness to completely ST.
lencs them in something less than halt AN
hour, ,althongh falling TO force them at once
| To retire. The infantry regiments, under the
command of Generals Caldwell and Meagher
and Colonel Brooke, and dctachments from
other regiments. under Colonel Lee, were
then drawn up in line of battle in columns, by
division, on each side of the road, the batter
les, under Captains Petit aud Thompson
keeping along the turnpike aud 'ssing to the
front beyond the line Of battle thus formed,
front of the infantry.
Soon after. the line Of infantry posted on
the right of the road commenced to send out
their stirmishers. and, as they advanced with
out molestation, gradually the infantry adran
ced, and as they proceeded, SO did the batter
les, cavalry and infantry. until the whole COL
umn was again in motion, aud carefully feeling
their way forward, the enemy retreating to
wards Charlestown.
We lost in killed, Mr.. Elmore wound ed,
Richard Cogan, right leg amputated; James
C0rkill left hand. and face. by she'll; Peter
Campbell, shell in head, and Mr.. Patrick and
Mr.. Carpenter slight. The Adjutant of the
First Minnesota had his horse shot from under
him. could not learn of any other casual.
ties. Ali the above belonged to Co. A.,
Regular Artillery.
The battery lost four horses, by solid shot
from the enemy. who seemed to have early
got the range of it.
Up to this period the cannonading continued
and we left this scene tor front, only short
distance ahead
The road at this point and beyond quite
rolling, a succession of short hills. with a
dense wood in front, hiding from our view
Charlestown. In this wood the enemy were
posted. Our troops at this point, were under
the immediate command OF Gen. Hancock. Of
W Williamsbnrg renown.
Shortly after our arrival at the top of hill
within two miles of ChLrlesfawn, the fire OF
the enemy Stacked, and our infantry drployei
as skirmishers extending each side of the
road, while the main body nassed and proce
Regular Cavalry. At this point we retrsced
our steps to Harp"r's Ferry, for the purpose
Of gaining the train so as to send tais much
of our success.
No doubt. our troops. very shortly after We
left the field, took possession Of Charlestown
The enemy opend at short range, Company
A, Of the Fourth Regular ARTILLERY, answer
ing, the third shot OF the enemy, killing the
above mentioned men. Our fire seemed TO
bewilder the enemy, but they stood their
ground well, until compelled to retire by the
skill of our batteries. Tompkin's Rhode Is
land Battery occupied commanding position
and did terrible execution.
Gen. Meagber's Brigade behaved nobly.
CHARLEsrowN. Va. via WASHINGTON, Oct.
boldly out TO the front OF the village. Rebel
cavalry pickets were seen occupying the next
hill hey ond the town. General Lee is at Win
chester with large force. Jackson is AT Bun
ker Hill with his corps. Hill il also there.
Stuart's cavalry are on the Shenandoah.
A large force is also stationed at Keesfown,
six miles away. Oar troops are drpioyed out
in front. Csldwell's igade on the right front,
the Fifth New Hampshire on the left. the
Sixth Regular Cavalry on extreme front of
the village. Cavalry. infantry and artillery
are scattered through the town. The Sixth