The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-07-30
From the 5sd Penna.
CAMP NEAR HARRIsoS's S LANDING, VA, !
July II, 1862.

July II, 1862.
FRIEND MAC: Owing to busy times
and i'll health, | have neglected shook
ing" you with regard to matters and
things on this "sacred SOIL" until the late
exciting events are becoming rather stale,
the nine days having already passed by,
and we suppose the great public has once
more resumed tranquil state To 60
back and give you slight sketch Of Our
wanderings will require but few mo
ments. Friday June 27 changed the
dull monot3ny to which we for so long a
time had been subject. On the morning
Of this day We had at an early hour been
"toted" of to the front, and kept under
the brOiliDg sun until near nigbt-fall, no
other incident transpiring in our imme-
diate front than the firing of few shell
which mostly passed clear over and be-
yond us, aud an occasional pnfruitful
demonstration on our 'picket lines" As
the sun was moving down the western
horizon We were ordered to the support
of Porter and Mccall, who were hard
pressed on the right. Moving at a quick
step, we arrived on the field just as twi-
light was ebbIng away into the dark
shades of night. For two miles back We
had met hosts of wounded and stTagglers /;
a sight none the best calculated to IN
spire courage IN the hearts Of those who
were expecting soon to engage IN the
deadly strife going on in the front. As We
peared Gaines house situate on a hill, the
enemy's missiles began TO shrek over our
heads, many of their shot and shell pas
sing beyond our batteries and striking in
the immediate vicinity of our advancing
column. Broken masses of men came
surging in wild disorder over the hill and
to the rear, and 1t was only by the most
strenuous efforts that our ranks were
preserved unbroken. Many of those
coming of the field cheered US, saying we
were Just in time to save another "Bull
Run" others more sanguine, contended
the Rebels were whipped and only needed
a slight touch to utterly annihilate them.
Marching steadily over the hill we de-
ployed at "double quick" into line of bat
tie, forming obIiqpeiy across a deep ditch
skirted by a rail fence and a slight under
growth Of brush. 1t was now about 6 o.
clock 2. N. and the firing of musketry,
which had been fierce, gradually became
beautifully less and receded very percep-
tibLy !; an occasional missile from the eu-
emy's batteries, posted on our right, still
fell in much too close proximity to create
pleasurable emotions. Soon firing in our
immediate vicinity had ceased altogether,
and the men were allowed to lie down Oh
their arms.
About l o'clock \. u. CT the 28th, up
to which time everything had remained
comparatively quiet, orders came to with
draw; this we did in quick time; our own
regiment being the last on that portion
of the field and bringing up the rear
until we arrived at our own camp at day
light, st about three the "Secesh"
made a vigorous attack along our whole
line, and for short time the cannonading
was immense. Of course rs it seemed
heavy on the centrs-our position-ve
wished ourselves IL supporting distance
of "Oid Dick" as the boys familiarly
term Gen Richardson. For q period of
perhaps an hour and a-half the iron bull
dogs belched forth fire both hot and
heavy, then once more quiet resumed It's
sway. Arriving at our quarters We has
tilY threw ourselves into position and
soon were N the arms CT Morpheus. Not
long, however, were we permitted TO en-
Joy repose before we were once mere
ordered to the front, where we aC8in lay
behind the works in the bgolliDg sun. At
abont noon commenced to move cur heavy
ordnance to the rear. AL the afternoon
and night was employed IN sending away
the ordnance aud baggage trains. At
about 2 clock Sunday morning the work
of destroying all stores not worth moving
commenced. At daylight the last long
lines of troops began TO move moving
4 distance Of perhaps three mues 20 Al
lens farms, We formed Ia line Of battle
and awaited the onset ofthe enemy. Not
long had we to wait. At about S O'Clock
A. NJ. the enemy made a fierce dash
attempting to break our lines, Our own
regiment was formed in front Of Iettet's
Battery, resting on some buildings which
we were ordered TO hold at al hazards !;
and we did hold them. In this engage
ment our loss was severe and that OF the
Rebels must have been heavy. We had
to repulse the enemy second time before
he would be content. Then We withdrew
at "quick step and marched to Savage
Station. Here, again, the men formed in
line, and again the enemy threw himself
fercely on our rear only to meet with a
severe repulse. We moved from here at
ahout | o'clock of Monday morning, our