Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-07-18
Letter From Capt. Clark.
CARLISLE, Pa, July 2, 156;

DEAR SIR; Onr brigade marched from
our camy near Harrisburg at daylight on
Wednesday morning, under the command
of Coloucl Brisbin. We marched at such
speed as every old soldier in the brigade !,
said they had never excelled, considering
the heat ofihe day. When we arrived at
Carlisle we stacked arms and proceeded to
the Market House for refreshments. We
had partakcr Of nothing when a terrific
cry was raised that the rebels were enter
ing tho town. A rush was mrde for arms,
and in few minutes they opened upon
the town with solid shot, grape, canister,
and shell. Our artillery replied. The
shells burst over our heads, and we dodg-
cd Of course. Then came an order to
make for the houses and fire out Of the
windows. At this time everything was
confusion. In getting into the houses my
company became good deal scattered al
though 1 c&cltcd myself to the utmost to
keep them together. What was feared
,43 Il cavalry charge through the streets.
Soop tue enemy, whose strength we did
! /, tl3 90 not now know, sent in a flag
e. ..uco, demanding surrender aad Civ.
iHs five minutes for considerations and il
hot acceded to, at the end of five minutes,
the town was to he sholcd. Gen. Smith
who was in command, replied that Gen.
Lee could commence shslliIg as soon as he
pleased. AID then the ball fairly opened.
] had tried a little shelling in the open
field and must say prefer it to the shell
ling of town.
Besides shells they fired solid shot. l
had several Of the boys with me in stone
house Immediately in the RAJ &c of the fire,
and while discussing the probability of
tic wall resisting the fire, pop came a
shell directly opposite where he sat. We
:hcn lett the second story and went into
The hall of Il first foot, where, although
tho music of the shot and shell was COM
paratiycly new and By no means agreeable,
! went to sleep. About midnight The fir
ing cea'cd, and | set to work to hunt up
my company. I succeeded pretty well
getting the most ofthcm into Judge Waits
residence which his family had abandoned
The picked firing during the night was con-
slant, but no attack was made, aud in the
morning the enemy had fed. They burnt
the barracks bOforo they left. Our plan
was to await a cavalry charge and fire on
than from tho houses. About midnight |
suporntcnded the cutting down Of Judge
Watts shade trees to give US Il fair chance
to fire. and to make an obstruction in tht
street. Had they advanced through the
streets they would have suffered severely
think. The fact that they did not advanc,
was conclusive evidence Of their weakness
Our force L;re consists of two brigados
Gen. Kupo's and Col. Brisbius. Ou
rcgmcnt is well commanded. Our Col
and Lieut.. Col. are cool and undisturbct
under fire and will attach the men to them
Where we will go Lext do not know
but think wo will leave here Tomorrow Of
Saturday. Yours, in haste,
Il. +, CLARK.
We print tho above letter from Capt
CLARE, though not written for our pa
per-wth especial satisfaction. 1t vii
be road with interest by his many friend
in Columbia county, as are all such pru
dent communications from our brave vol
unlecrs. May they all live 10 return il
safety to home and friends again. l-ED
Col. Dem.