Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-23

vate J. Arthur Taylor, Company +, sth Regt La Vol,
TO his father, W. Il. s. Taylor, ESD, Second Auditor
Confederate States.
Private Taylor enlisted when he was sixteen years
old; has been in constant service with the Army Of the
Potomac over two years has been wounded FIVE times
and has been in thirtyfve battles besides skmishes
CAMP NELR HAGEssrowS, ND,
July 9, 1868.
M Dear Father You no doubt wonder at my long
ssuce but believe me- i. was no faul. OF NINE for We
have been almost constantly on the march since
crossed the Potomac. As you know, we have invaded
The enemys country and fought desperate battle on
hi, sol. When We entered Pennsylvania, We found
every one in the greatest state Of excitement. The
first lay in Yaukeedom we,passed through the of
Wa5uesboro', aud it was right touching to how
frightened the women Were-sone could be seen cry
ing and wringng their hands while others could be
at distance standing in crowd, looking at US, with
every appearance OF fear, very much in the
ner as the wild beeves of Louisiana gather round per-
son creeping through the grass in hunting ducks.
We eamped near the town, and some OF the boys
in the country in search of something TO eat
in Sbich they very successful for the people
;, frightened they told the boys they might have eve
ryhing they had it they would ony not destroy their
property IL seems they told by the authorities
Of the Safe that il came over there we would
tu-n everything We could lay our hands on.
cannot tell you the exactTOhte that took through
Pennsylvania but passed through number of little
towns among them Gettysburg where we captured
some two hundred mlitia) Berlin and YORK. At the
last mentioned place We remained for day, aud one
brigade of our division went TO the Susqu hanna river
a. 4 forced the Yankees 70 burn bridge mile and
Quarter loag. After having destroyed all the public
property we could, we started back for Gettysburg,
Whe found ourselves face to face With Gen. Meades
army.
la the first days fight list july the Yankee lines
we're north Of Gettysburg, but from this position they
driv bae wit de
and Hoke's brigade ordered advance together
upon the battery, which was supported by very strong
force. I'D
Tue 9th Louisiana ran up and took two pieces Of can
non while engaged the inf ntry aud they certainly
made better stand than them make before.
Toe Yankees stood until we were within thirty yards
of them. Hoke's brigade which little ahead of
US ran up TO fence about forty yards from fence be-
bind which the Yankees Were and opened FIRE upon
them, which returned with spirit though they
intended to dispute the ground.
Just then our brigade came up, and without hating
leaped the fence and pushed after the Yankeea They
raised up like flock of backbirds when not
thirty yards from them We poured terrible FIRE
into their ranks and you may be not few OF them
fell We chased them through the town, srd then halt
ed and reformed our lines
On the south side Of the town the enemy took DO
son which, IsuppOse Of the strongest natural
positions in the State All day Of the I'd Of July our
different corps pressed the enemy on all sdes. About
dusk OF the same day, our brigade, with regiment
Of HoSe's brigade, was ordered TO ciargs position
which have doubt es strong any around
Vcksburg and defended By eighteen pieces Of
noa General Hayes gave the order to forward and
th~ boys started forward with yell
We had FIVE or six fences to cross, aud when got
to rhe bOaO Of the hill from where We started, we
cotld look up and see the Yankees far above ~ pour
ing down a fire from both artl cry and musketry We
pressed on until to stone wall behind which
the Yankees we're, aud here we bad hand.to hand
6sbt the Yankees side and on the other side
Of the Wal-knocked each 9th down with dubbed
guns aud bayonetS. This is the first 6ght in wbi;h
felt certain Of killing Yankee. Some zen or 6feen
Yankees were behind the stone WALL shooting boys
as they came up on the opposite side of the road.
succeeded in getting across the road without being
by the E.nkees and level ing my the wall within
tSo feet of a Yankees head, tired, and the Yankee
fell and some ten fifteen more sprang up and imme
diatelV surrendered.
/ will make this as short possible. We took the
n and the artillery bat hlving no support we're oblg
I'd to IA back Our regiment lost ts dag but brought
GU. Yankee hAg in return piece of which enclose
ia this letter Please send il and also the letter, 70
mo,her, shen you have read &c.
In the Two days fighting our company l,st twelve ia
wounded one killed aud one missing. Col Lewis vas
killed. Lieut. Col Desanc shot through the left wrist
remain your Afsctonate son. 8u
p AKTHUR TAYLOR, Sd -. %