Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1863-02-13

tara correspondent Of the Phiiad. Ia
qatrer, gives the following account of the
part taken by the SD Reg Peun'a Vols
In the Fredericksburg fight. Capt.
Church's company, it will be remembered
Is in this regiment.
The regimental colors Of the gallant
53d Regiment 2. v, led by its indomita
Bile Col, John X. Brooke, aided by Mai
Duh, aud acting Adjutant Lieut.. Ander
soa, was seen u move forward alone t.
within fifty yards Of the notorious stone.
wall, which had become a sheet of living
fime, belchiug the leadeu missiles Of
death to those approaching Here the
regiment halted by order of the Colonel,
and returned volley for volley. 10 very
short time their ammunition was exbaustel
md it was found impossible to relieve the
regiment. After firing their sixty round.
each, thoss who were left deliberately took
the remaining cartridges out Of the boxes
Of their untOriuuate comrades who had
fallen and used them against the enemy
NJ succor could reach them.
The Sixty frs, and S.x;y-fourth New
York Volunteers pressed forward to with
in one hundred yards Of where they stood,
but could not reach them. They howeV-
er, supported most nObly the Spar'als
who were then holding their p sl!lon at
charge bayonet. While in this position
the Colonel discovered Rebel regiment
approaching his flank. Cool and discree,
under all circumstances, be deliberately,
though bis men had fired their last round,
ordered the empty muskets to be brought
60 bear upon the approaching column,
which was within forty yards Of him.
The Rebels, seeing the movement, aud
supposiug that a deadly fire would be
poured into them, fell in love with the
principle 'that he who fights and runs
away will live to fight another day
made good use of their legs aud disap-
peared behind the stOne-wall as soon as
convenient.
So desperate was their position that aid
could not reach them. Thy held their
position at a charge tayone, for the un-
preceien,ed time of five hours, without
firing shot The Sixty first aud Sixty
fourth New York were about one hundred
yards in thoir rear, and for two or three
hours stood in the same position, nor
were they relieved until tae sable mantle
of night closed iu upon the most sanGuin- |
AIRY struggle Of the war and of modern
times.
Col. Brooke certainly merits, if any
man does, reward at the hands of his
Governmeut-for his
manly bearing and soldier-like conduct on
the field of baltic. In thirteen pitched
battles, besides numerous rifiug engage
neDts, be has led his regiment.
The Fifty-third entered the fight with
hree hundrei officers and men, aud out
# that number brought off one hundred
nd forty five, losing over fifty per cent
If her strength.
Col Brooke answered the fig of truce
ent by General Lee for the burial of our
lead. Whilst in command of the working
'arty engaged in digging the graves for
heir comrades in battle, Rebel officers
athered round ani entered into conversa
hem acknowledge the bravery and gal
antry of our troops, ani one of them was
,eard TO remark that if ever those men
lad reached the crest of the hill there
would have been no such thing as standing
sainst them.