New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-12-26
flames being plainly visible before the company had

reached their destination. The train arrived from
Cumberland in the morning, and all the companies
were successfully taken up. On the afternoon of
the same day Monday, the 26tb), the entire regi:
ment way set down at South Branch, and eucamped
on the slope Of the bill. OF the west end OF the
bridge.
On Wednesday, the 2Sth Col. Campbell, having
in vain endeavored to learn what was going on
below, detailed party, under Lieut.-Col b. McDer-
nit to Ieoonnoiter far east Cherry Run, within
six miles Of Back Creek Bridge; but could gain
no satisfactory accoun; Of the situation below
that point. On Saturday the 3lst, the Colonel led
$50 men to Back Creek, where he found the bridge
destroyed and further progress in that direction I'M
possible. That same night he returned to South
Branch, aud telegrapbed to Col. Miles by way OF
Wheeling, reporting the state Of affairs, and asking
il be should resume bis former position on the road
but he received no aaswer.
On Sunday, tho LIST Of june after having repeat
edly telegraphed to COL Miles, and getting 10 reply,
Col. CaInp bell sent two companies &C. and y under
command of Mai l. =. Linton to the Great Caca-
pom, to protect The bridge there against any evil dis
posed persons OF the neighborhood who, IN the alb
sence Of the guard, ght attempt to burn 1t.
On Monday, the ID, the first dispatch was re-
ceived from Col. Miles: Col. Campbell and com
maud will occupy the railroad, as before" That
same night found all the companies OF the regiment
at their old posts-so prompt was Col Campbell in
his every movement
q From the 25th of May to the 10Th of June it raned
almost continually; the Potomac overran its banks,
aud the flood completed the ruin the Rebels began.
On the 9Th the railroad bridges at Great and Little
Cacapon were washed away; these, however, were
but temporary structures, and were soon replaced
under the energetic direction Of Mr.. w. E. Porter,
the Company s superintendent of bridges. .,
From this time until the llth Of September the
course of railroad and regmental events ran more
smoothly, and freight transportation wag actively
resumed. But the vast amount of runnage passing
over The road day and night, clearly demonstrated
tie necessity Of keeping this great gut OF the Gov
eminent free from distractions, not only for the
use T.. the War Department, bpt o( tie benefit Of the
public at large; aid the energy ana ability displayed
under these mos, cscouiaging circums hnces by the
Master Of Transportation, Alr Prescott Smith, is be-
You'd all praise.
After jackson and bic forces retired from the val
ley Of Virginia, this entire region Of country was
iui. sted with gangs OF hOrse-thievos and bands oil
gueFrilas. Horses were stolen indiseDnlnaiely
from people Of every political complexion and taken
across the river into MARYLAND and Pennsylvania
where IL ready sale was found for them among
Government contractors. 2l3 horses were recap
tur,d from these thieves, as they making their
way toward the Maryland shore. These were
restored to their lawful owners wheh they conld be
found. Such as were lot claimed and proved, were
TUNED over 20 thu oomIlGndent at Harpers Ferry,
for the .eneft of tie Sovernment-aud the thieves
were sent to The same place.
The .uerulss became more aud more active ana
miscievous, destroying much private property, aud
inspiring with terror all peaceful citizens, many oil
whom they impressed aud carried 10 ltlcbuObu
Expeditions were frequently sent out against thein
and various times parties and squacs OF them were
taken Between the LIST OF june aud the lOth OF
September, the 54th captured 2l3 guer;illss. who
were sen, TO Hsrper's Ferry, ana 70 camp Chsse
in ONO.
On The llih Of September, about o'clock IN tie
afternoon teegiaphlc communication between mar
pef's Ferry and Sir Johns RIM, wes', was again
destroyed the forces under stOnevall Jackson baN
ing made descent upon the rnil'oad al North
Mountain Station, seven miles west Of Marlinsburs,
anu two miles cast OF Back Creek Bridge, Were
Company q. Capt. Long. was stationed. Col
Campbell being thus again cut of on We eaet from
brigade head cuarers, and this time without lnslruc-
uon imu.c diejeiy ieegiai he'd west 10 Gen. Kelley
reporting his situation aud asking ior orders. On
The l2,b, that officer replied that he would not take
tie responsibility Of giving ordcrs, bat would adrse
Col. Campbell to withdraw from the road-which
advice Col. Campbell concluded not to follow but,
Oh Il contrary resolved TO Id The road Sc long as
posi- .e and lot TO give il mp unless besei by an
Overwhelming force. In assuming this grave re
-por,itilty. Col Campbelis only hope OF success
Law Ia the possibility 81 creating tue impression,
9Th the enemy, hof he had q nHct i0rger force -
ana 6,s pOss thar h eeHd concentrate trom The
ahoLe line Of the road.
|. Tie enterprise was most hazardous one. NHh-
OUT a single piece Of artillery, without company OF
cavalry, With only an infantry regiment Of 9VV men,
not Union soldier in Virginia west OF Harpers
Ferry ard east Of the south branch Of the Potomac
was an undertaking that might well have appalled, a
less spirited officer. But the importance OF holding
tue road, and the imminent danger TO which tho
town'of Cumberland would have been exposed II 1t
had been abandoned, viii bc apparent 10 any one
who will look ut the map Of Virginia. Had Col.
Campbell withdrawn from the road, the Rebels would
AZ once have had all the country between Harper Il
Ferry and Green Spring, which 10 but fourteen miles
east Of Cumberland. Romney was already IN their
hands, and Cumberland wO1ld have been an ensy
prize; for Gen. Kelley had no troops to protect It,
Accordingly, on tic l2.h, instead OF abandoning the
road. Col. Campbell took a small detachment from
Company l. under Capt. Bonacker at Sir Johns Kun
and another from Company ID, nnter Lieut. Gageby,
At Alpine Station IIancock) and with these lie pro-
ceeded down tie road, in open platform cars. to
Back Crock. =,
Bot have filed the measure Of my space. The
54th Pennsylvania Volunteers must be concluded
in our next" ] promise your readers that their
story is Of increasing interest.
Msaniime-WAsTED a Brgadier shoul-
der straps for Col. Campbell. We have more than
ono BIeadier who can spare his without ceirimtnt
to the Repablic. ALrAMoST'