The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-01-23
CAMP NEAR FREDERICKSBURG, Va,
January 9TH, 1862.

Mr.. EDrToR:
Having a few leisure moments and ho-
ping letter from one of Bedford County's SONS
now in Dixie, will find place in your columns,
| embrace the first opportunity to state few
facts concerning the battle of Fredericksburg.
and more especially relating to the conduct and
bravery OF Company X, of the 1881 Pennsyl-
vania Regiment. On the 18th of last month
we left camp and soon found ourselves on the
banks of the Rappahannock in full view Of the
two contending armies. TO me it was an un-
pleasant sight, but aitsr some time of serious
meditation the scene becane more familiar
| Orders were soon given to move forward and
cross the creek on the pontoon bridge. While
crossing, we were shelled terribly, but without
any serious effect. After marching back and
forth through the city for some time, to get our
regiment in front, 0or we are the sd battalion,
but when it comes to fight we are the first) we
started for the bloody work assigned to u.s. and
at y o'clock A. NJ, we were drawn up in line
Of battle in front of the enemy. We were
scarcely formed when the order was given to
l33d to unsling knapsacks, charge bayonets,
and forward! Onward we went, charging at
double quick, in mud up to our ankles, over
dead men, dead horses, fences, &C., until we
arrived within seventy-fve yards of the enemy,
when we halted and general engagement en-
sued. During the charge our men were expo
sed to most rakng fire from the front, also
from the right and left, but nothing seemed to
deter us. Having arrived at our first point,
we concluded to move little closer to the en-
emy, to have fatr understanding. We did so,
but Ill so doing, we lost a great many men, al
though we held the position for two hours,
fighting our best. The Second Brigade of our
Division, by this time came to reinforce u.s.
They charged through our ranks, fired and fell
back, which caused retrograde of the whole
Division to the position we first occupied
Here we lay in the mud all night, without blan-
kets, having lost them in the engagement. At
daylight the engagement was renewed During
the whole day we remained in this position, un-
der heavy fire, but without SERIOUS loss At
8 A. NJ, we marched back to the city and slept
as best we could, in the streets. At z. NJ,
we recrossed the river and marched back to our
old camp, through mud and rain, where we
have been ever since, feasting on Uncle Sans
| hard tack and picked pork. The health of the
company is as good as can be expected under
existing circumstances.
Allow me to say that company X did its du-
ty, both officers and pr;vates. and well deserves
the praise of its country, No braver men fell
in battle than yon will find in our list of killed
and wounded. We deeply mourn their loss,
but hope it will be their eternal gain.
LIST OF KILLED
I'd Scrg't, d. f. Steel, shot in head
Private Gopher p. Shaw $ =
WOUNDED.
Corp. James Weaverling, in the hand.
Private, John McClelland, in arm.
Josiah McClelland, in head.
And'w G. Shroyer, in foot, leg and
side.
:. Henry Riley, in thigh and finger.
8 Henry Mu.pper, in arm.
g Harris Finley; in neck.
% Herman Klallre, in breast.
i" Thomas Barkman, in head.
g Henry Border, left arm shot off, at
the shoulder.
g Robert Campbell, in arm.
MISSING.
James A. Croylc.
Levi Steel.
l neglected to state that Henry Gibson, Co.