The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-12-12
From the Mne,''s Journal.
FRoN TIE 55ru REG, z. ", Coz. WHITE.
Account of the Action in South Carolina
on the 22d of October.
CAMP 55TH RIG, p. V.

beaufort, .. u, Oct. Afln, lOOE. J
EDIroRs MINERS JOURNAL: - Probably ere
this reaches you you will have heard of an ad-
vance made in this department to cut off com.
munication between Charleston and Savannah
at Pocotaligo bridge, and of the retreat OF our
forces on account Of having no means of con-
veying ammunition in sufficient quantities to
our troops, and Of their subsequent return to
this place without having accomplished their
object
The expedition started from this place and
Hilton Head on the afternoon OF the 2lst. On
the 22d our forces landed and advanced about
five miles when the first fighting commenced
Twice were the rebels driven from their posi-
ions. At the third position our ammunition
gave out, and our forces were obliged to retire,
which they did in remarkably good order. Oar
artillery captured one wagon of the rebels am
munition, and fired the ammunition at them as
long as it lasted. The fighting continued from
about II o'clock until dusk of the evening
They returned last night, 23d inst. The for
ccs engaged from Beaufort were portions of the
55th and 47th Pcnna., 9th Connecticut, 4th
New Hampshire, the lst Massachusetts Caval-
ry and Rhode Island battery, under command
Of Brigadier General Brannan.
The entire loss of our forces will amount to
about 800 in killed and wounded, though ii
it may fall as low as 200, but certainly not
more than three hundred.
The 47th Pennsylvania were the severest suf-
ferers as their loss out of 600 engaged, will a.
mount to about 120 in killed and wounded.--
They pushed forward with the impetuosity of
The loss of the 55th Penna. Vols, is 20 in
killed, wounded and missing -Four were kill
ed, and one missing, also wounded
Too much praise cannot be extended to DR.
David Merritt, of Philadelphia, surgeon Of the
oo'h regiment, for his untiring and unceasins
care IN h'9istering to the aid and comfort Of
Inc poor unioFtsnates whose doom it was to be
wounded The Doeer is spoken of in the high.
est terms by all who saw him ON that day, for
his coolncss and unmistakahle Skill. and his n.
ness for the important position which he has
the honor to hold.
also take pleasure in stating that DR.. j. b.
brandt, Llewellyn, Schuykill County, former.
~ Captain inthe 50th Regiment, Col Christ.
but now assistant surgeon of the 55th, figured
quite conspicuously in caring for the wounded
Major John H. Filler was as cool as cucum-
Der. lie was constantly cracking Jokes, and
when the balls came a liStle close he was heard
to say, "Ah! rather close that time" At one
time, when the shells were coming rather too
tliick tor comfort, the order was given to lie
down. DIR. Brandt, and the hospital Steward
Joseph W. Hughs, (who, by the way, was for
mery Pottsyian,) followed suit. Soon a
shell came in quite close proximity to where
they were lying, literally covering our two he
roes with sand. The DIR. struck two or three
somersaplts. The steward says, to use his own
language, he thought ''it is all over with you
brandt" One poor fellow had his whole low
CT jaw with a portion of the upper carried a.
way, leaving only his nose and eyes remaining,
exposing his wind pipe to view, and strange to
:ay, he was quite sensible and was still living
this morning.
Among the casualties are Col. Chatfeld, of
The 9TH Conn, wounded; two Captains of the
i7th Penna., since dead from their wounds
wo Captains, one of them Captain Wayne,
Killed, and Captain Hamilton, seriously wound
ID, of tho 47th Penna.
The 55th did nobly Having attracted the
'ttention of the General commanding, he rode.
Up and inquired who they were When told,
'e said, ''fou are the boys to keep it up. Col
n" The Nth and 55th Pennsylvania fought
lde by side during the whole engagement. It
said that in point of numbers engaged il
one OF the hardest contested fights on record
uring this rebellion.