Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-12-15
From the Second Delaware Regiment.
CAMP sEAR STEVEasRURo, Va, I
neramhar 9th 1962

bereuuef ctnf Aooo.
FRIESD EcKEL Presenting you would like to
hesr OF the whereabouts and doings Of the 2nd
Regiment Delaware Volunteers, shall devote q
lev leisure moments from soldiers duties to
pen you lev lines. As once WAS said Of an
army, 1--WE have marched up the hill, and then
marched down again" We marched from our
very muddy camp near Brandy station, at day
light on Thanksgiving morning. crossing the
Rtpidan about 3 o'clock. Our Brigade led the
way, wading the STRAIN and took possession Of
the heights beyond, the rest Of the troops pass
Jog over The pontoon bridge that was put down
Immediately after We we're over Some amusing
scenes occurred, Que Captain Was particularly
unfortunate, be having got up behind the Ad-
jutant and Ms they had nearly got over the horse
tell, giving both a complete soaking, which you
koow was not very comfortable OF this season Of
tue year. Short men suffered the most, as the
water would come to the waist Of a man feet
s inches. Our sleep that night was not of the
most comfortable kind, cold wet clothes not OPP
Grating narcotic. The next morning we
we're on the trail II the rebs, coming up to
tn,ir skirmishers at RObertson's Tavern, where
ZONE exciting scenes took place between our
lines, but not much less on either side. Early
next morning we advanced about q mile aud
found the rebels in an exceeding strong posi-
ton and formed our lines for the attack, but
did not make it. The next day our Corps made
flank movement, passing down to the enemy's
/ right. About O'Clock our Colonel received
orders u depioy US skirmishers and get as near
the rebel lines as be possibly could. 1t was
| trying moment when the order was given 10
4" forward and especially when the Brigade
commander told our Adjutaut he had better dis
mouut as We we're going into ere. We advanced
steadily for about Two hundred yards, and just
AS We arrived upon the crest Of u bill, the shril
voice our Colonel rang cut on the clear air,
"double quick" and the next moment the rebs
were pouring in the shot and shell to Us at short
range, and besides their sbarp-shooters opened
on " but on We went until we got to about one
hundred yards Of their works. 10 our extreme
establishment, we had on that advance, lost but
tive men wounded, private Jennings, Co. r.. and
McCabe Co. A. We laid there all night. and it
WAS bitter cold we could not but ihink that any
poor fellow who might be wounded and have to
10y upon the field sich nights, would certainly
freezs TO death. We could hear the rebels AT
work all night, strengthening their position and
bringing up artillery we could but think Of the
morrow when the terrible charge would be made,
aud thousands would lay wetering in their blood
on that hill side As the gray vi the morning
appeared, we could see through the mist our
dark columns standing stern and grim, ready
for the command TO "forWar1." Those stern
old warriors had stripped off all superfuous
weight, had written their names upon paper aud
pinned them to their coais ready for the bloody
carnival, 10 do or to die. There stood the ia
nous "a Corps With thiriy-f'e pieces Of artie
ry rpwning down upon them FROM the heights
above About sun-up we were relieved from
our cold aud dreary duty, and took our position
in the column, The day wore on, and still nc
battle aud III tue night we withdrew, aud 10 my
humble opinion, wisely. Tue next night We fell
bacs aud re-crossei the Rapidan The people
: | Al oil harnuaa did NM Hvht
Meade think did rigut in not giving battle, tht
slaughter would haye been terrible, without any
decisive results. lie has clearly demonstrated
10 my mind that he is fully capable to maneu
vre large army, uni knows when to delye
battle or decline IT. The army is satisfied Il
fight under Meade.
BLUE Hen Chicken.