Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-23
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE "JoURxALn.
CAMP NEAR HARRISON LANDING, VA. I
July Sth 1862

v A. I
July Sth, 1862
EDITOR JoURNAL,-Dea Sir In one short
week, commencing with the 25th of June, the
Fifty third regiment p. V. has passed through
scenes that will live in history, whilst Ameri-
ca shall last. | will speak of some Of these as
briefly as possible, confuing myself more par
ticulary TO such matters as our regiment, and
the company from Clearfield took part in.
On the morning of the 25th Gen. French's
brigade was ordered to the left to support
Gen. iieintzleman, whilst he would advance
his pickets When we arrived on the ground
we were placed in the front line In few
minutes or in fact before we were in line the
play had commenced. Our support was as
much moral one as any other for we did not
fire shot, but there we lay for ten hours in
the bToitiag sun, the ball and she'll falling
all around us. One of the latter fell in pool
OF water within six feet of the right of our
company, giving us complete baptism the
she'll, though, was much put oWt by getting
wet. One of the most disagreeabe features
OF the day was, that we lay literally among
the dead. Quite a number of those killed in
the great battle of the 1st fell on this ground.
Whether they had been friend or foe we could
not tell, but no grave had been dug and bat
few shovel fullS of earth had been thrown up
them. The stencil was almost intolerable
yet like other ills it had to be borne. At dark
we returned to camp but not to our tents or to
the watch. Nothing came to modest us.
Thursday all quiet on our front, but heavy
firing to the right.
Friday morning at half past two o'clock we
were called out and remained under arms I'M
til eight, when we were taken to the front and
had another brOiiiHg. The rebels amused
themselves by throwing she'll at US the greater
part of the day, but not more than one out of
ten exploded. | think they must have trail
. htaS kall tb.t n
explode are generally filled with sand. About
noon the firing on our right had become very
furious continuing until dark. Near five
o'clock Gen. Sumner rode up to Col. Brooke
and ordered him to march to the relief of our
gallant boys, who were said to be giving way
to the rebels. Gen. Frenchs brigade (com-
posed of six regiments) and part of General
Meacher's brigade, all under command of Gen.
French, were soon on The double quick--the
53d leading the van. 1t was weary march
of five miles. When we ncared Gaines hill,
where the lighting had been, things looked
gloomy enough. Thousands of men were
slowly retTeating, hundreds of them wounded
and bloody. and nothing to inspirit our men.
At the foot of the hill we were thrown into
column of division, and steadily marched to
the top. Then those poor fellows sent up
shout that told the rebels that it was now their
tnrn to retreat. Again the C ,mmand was
''o3d forward, double-quck," !" and down and
into the valley OF death" But our charge
was too impetuous for them aud they fed away
into the the fast coming darkness, leaving us
in possession of the field. 1t is during such
times as these that we learn Of what material
onr officers are made. How proud we are of
our Captain (McKiernan) and | think Clear
field may be proud of him too. Not for an
Instant does he think of shielding himself from
danger, but he is ever careful Of his men.
Still | am afraid we will lose Lin. Although
he has heart like lion and energetic as a
man can be, we can see that his physique is
gradually giving away.
We remained here in lin5 nntH nearly all
our forces had crossed over Woo bury bridge
to the south side of the Chickahominy. We
had done our work aud returned to camp, but
not to rest. Orders were given to strike tents
at once and move to the frunt-the Odd to sup
port an important battery.
Saturday, all exceedingly quiet. Saturday
night no sleep for u.s.. During one OF tue
alarms John NJ. Test, of our company, left us
and has not been heard Of since.
Sunday morning, orders TO strike tents and
be ready to commence the falling back or
rather continue what had already been going
on for some time. Richardson's division was
rear guard to the column, French's brigade to
the division, and the ODD to the brigade. Now
began our retreat. all wondering why il was so.
There was no sign of an enemy near u.s. and
battle, but without any questions, quietly and
in order we moved away. In a short time we
halted in an orchard near Savage Station.
were formed in line and in few minutes we
saw the rebels peering through the brush and
over the brow Of a hill at us. On they came
and soon let us have their leadcn salute, but
they never moved tho old 53d. We had
sharp conflict, and a number of men in the
regiment were wounded, though none in com
pany ID. But we were too much for them and
they retired. Gen. French rode up to MS
waving his hat and said Gwen done SD,
well dono ~ Gen. Sumner also came up aud
congratulated and complmcnted us very high
ly on our bravery. The troops had all passed
on TO Savage Station and we followed. There
wo halted in the road and held our position
until all had left. We now took up our weary
night march to the south side Of White Oak
Swamp.
To-day We lost from our company Thomas
Hollcn and Charles Drog. They were sick
aud VIC suppose they fell into the hands of the
rebels. Perhaps IL was during the night they
were lost Tor you have no idea what n tiresome
march this was. 1t was the fifth night that wo
had boen without slocp and hundreds OF poor
fell ows sank down oyer-powered. Just about
daylight we crossed the bridge and destroyed
IL. Here on the high bluffs we rested until
noon, when the enemy from the opposite side
OF the swamp opened on us one OF the most
terrluc nrcs oil shell that we ever experienced.
IL was really awful and came very near making
q stampede. Great nun bers of horses and
mules were completely unmanageable, and
many OF the men were scared equally as much.
saw no signs of IL, though, in our regiment.
Captain Mckiernan was making a cup Of tea,
and shell burst close along side Of him, COW
cring him with dust aud dsarranging his fire
so much that his tea was nearly all spilled.
Instead Of being the least discomposed at the
ha hn1 ha al
his tea saving part, at the same time making
locular remark. For cool hrnYerv he has