The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-04-16
Army Correspondence.
Letter from 62nd Regiment.
CAMP NEAR STRAsBuRa, VA. =
March 3lst, 1852. q


er to write to my numerous friends in old
MonSoe,r l will address them all, through
your colnmns by one communication. # a I.
We have had some rather exciting
times within the past few weeks, especial
ly within the last few days, but it is i'm
possible for me to give detailed account
of all that has transpired.- d--',-=-
rs We bade adien to the railroad and Po-
tomac on the 10Th inst and have been
on the move ever since, marching and
counter marching over these Virginia val
leys, not stopping over three days at a
time at one place. / never saw a more
splendid country in my life than that
which lies between here and Martins
burg; it is a perfect Eden; the land is
i limestone, and bids fair for bountiful
wheat harvest. .-.,,r
| /. Gen Shields, at the head of this Divi-
sion, left Winchester on the 17th, for the
purpose of routing the rebels from Stras-
burg; and on the way there, our advance
cavalry suddenly came upon the rear Of
Jackson's retreating army. at Cedar
creek, with. two field pieces to cover their
retreat aud consequently drove our. ad,
vance back, wounding one man.
Our artillery was soon brought up, and
let them have 8 few Shells, which made
them scatter, but not until they had ac-
complished their fendish designs by bum.
ing the bridge, which they left in ashes, SO
as to keep back as long as possible the
Union army, which they knew was ad-
vancing. But we soon crossed the stream
on the burnt fragments, and followed
them up with shot and she'll. which they
returned occasionally, bat soon disap.
peared over the "Blue Ridge"
On the Goth, we were ordered back to
camp at Winchester, and we made the
trip in 10 hours. a distance of "a miles
You may believe there were tired meu
aud sore feet that night.
/ Quietude was restored, and we had
again begun to feel the dull monotony o
camp llfe.- But little did we think tha
this was so soon to be exchanged for th.
exciting scenes of battle field.
! On Saturday the 22nd, Ashby's caval
ry, with some 10000 or $4,000 of Jack
sons infantry, and Eve batteries of artille
ry, made their appearance q miles souti
Of Winchester--I suppose for the pur
pose of retaking the town; but this they
failed to do, for the !. were promptly me
by our artillery, and driven back 2 miles
1t Was some time before our infantry coult
be collected, as they were scattered owe
an area of some 4 o: 5 miles. However
we were all on the ground, but did no
get chance to practice any. A shari
fcannonading was kept up till dark. Gen
Shields was slightly wounded iu the lef
arm while experimenting the arrange
ments of the battery. One man and q
horse were killed This covered our loss
that day. The rebels had I9 killed
Next morning, (Sunday,) all was agair
quiet, and the 62nd was ordered back tc
camp, a distance OF I miles, but had ne
sooner got there than the order was coun
termanded. as the enemy had renewed the
attack. We got to the scene of action
about 5 o'clock P. NJ, and found th,
battle raging furiously We had farthes
1 to come. and consequently about last il
getting on the ground. and by the time
We got there. the enemy was trying te
flank US. To prevent this, the 62nd, with
battery of artillery, was ordered 70 "a
| position on the extreme left, where We
stood, in battle line over two hours, They
threg some shells at us. but We lodged
them by falling to the ground, which wai
very 'cutely done, for q regiment not YET
initiated, ....l. =
| Musket firing began about O'Clock,
and continuous storm ragged till dark.
ness closed the scene.
The, rebels made bold stand, and
fought bravely; but they had every al.
vantage, Of position, They got on hills,
in the woods, and behind stone fences, so
that it was very !dificult for our troops to
reach. them at all. Az one time victory
seemed, as it were, to hang on a balance,
Three. regiments made an attempt to play
charge on one of our batteries but were
driven back with fearful slaughter, by a
terrific cross fire Of grape and canister
from Daum's Parrot guns The Federal
troops, in turn. had to fall back once, or
twice. appder q ponderous fre, but soon
rallied and drove their antagonists, OF the
point of the bayonet. throwing them into
confusion, from which they never fully
recovered. soigs -,
b. We were called mp near dark to parti-
Icipate in The action, and we threw of
blankets. haverstcks. canteens, and every
thing thai gould be, dispensed with, and
off We went on. double quick but by the
time we got up, darkness had set in, vic.
tory perched ou our banDer and the reb.
els in fuH retreat. completely routed and
demoraiiZcd.
We lay that night on the battlefield,
surrounded by the dead. dying and wonnd-
ed. . The scenes of that bloody field are
impossible to describe
+ The rebels were shot in the head al