Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-01-09
Army Correspondence Delaware Ga7etie-
Fron the zih Regiment.
(EAR FALMOUTH, Va, Dec. 22d,


Frozn the 4lh Regiment.
NEAR FALMOUTH, Va, Dec. 22d, 1862.
BEr. Thogasoa-SIR With your kind per-
mission l viii eEdeavor through the medium
Of your columns to inform our friends at home
of the present state Of afairs in Companies
ard l now in ihe field. As our mail facii-
ties are so poor at present that several el the
boys have not had chance 10 write since the
day Of the battle. Gu the 10th inst. while
engaged in erecting log butts to protect US
from the chilling inference Of jack Frost, and
the keen penetrating blast that sweeps the
shores of the RappahapBocl, we received
orders TO have three days rations in haver-
sacks and to be ready to march at day light
on the following morning. 1t was Unneces-
saTy to ask questions-Fr fredericksburg and the
enemy lay before US.
On the morning Of the Ilth, at 5 o'clock
precisely, the first gun was fred at the III fatej
city, and at O'Clock the cannouading was
terrific, and continued with unabated fairy
throughout the entire day. Gen. Howards
Division succeeded in crossing the river about
dusk, and at daylight on the 18th Frenehs
Division, with our regiment in advance, made
the passage safely. passed HQward's Division
and proceeded 10 the western suburbs Of the
city. / will not attempt 10 describe tie scene
Of devastation, suffice it to say the city pre-
sented a gloomy, desolate wreck. Gen. KIM
ball ordered Capt. Jones with forty men, com
prising companies B, c and I, TO reconneitre
the bridges crossing a canal which ran between
the city ard the rebel fortifcations about
three-quarters of mile distant. On cur
emerging from Tie houses on the outskirts Of
the town, we encountered the eneny's piekets
and sharpshoatars who designing cur intent,
prepared to dispute our further progress
A sharp sIirmish ensued in which one of our
best and bravest boys WATSON g. Mccullough
was dangerously wounded, and also Sergeant
Steu1htun, of company B. We succeeded in
driving the enemy back and accomplished the
object OF the reconnaissance without further
loss.
Early on the merning Of the never to be
forgotten 18th we were informed that we were
to lead the Brigade IN the attack upon the
rebel Qualifications, and Capt. Jones (of ours)
being acquainted with the position, from the
} previous days experience, was selected TO lead
the 1st Delaware Regt. in advance as skir-
I mishers.
At fifteen minutes OF 70 o'clock precisely,
we started for the formidable works of the
enemy, and ere we reached the scene of the
previous days skirmish heir batteries oppaed
an enfiading FIRE which ralzcd US ia every d.
rection. On The first fire apr Lieut. Colonel
| Jas H. Goldman. Capt. Wallace, Tom War
uer and several others fell dangerously wouud-
/ cd, and the second laid nearly one-thrd Of cur
e.}ant little Regiment bleeding on the field.
| We still pressed IN under a wilhering shower
of shot and shell. driving the enemy's skir-
miskcrs before Us uotil we reached ridge
which partially sheltered US from the artillery
/ Ne here encountered the rebel Infantry who
were cntTeuc1ed in rife pits with nothing
visible save their heads at which We pePpered
With wilt
We here rors,ed tie lfne Of battle which
was not passed by ,he lfsh Brigade or any
other Regiment or Brigade during the entire
day, and held IL until cur ammunition was ex-
ilausted and we were relieved 10y Gen. Han
ceck's division.
1t was stated (but afterwards refGted) in the
| Washington Star. that the Irish Brigade had
10 charge over kimbsll. lis true the Irish
Brigade did attempt charge, but faj}ei TO
get an f7st before our line, and created so
much confusion that we were fearful Of panic
along the entire line
| regret TO state that Corporal George B.
florence was instantly killed while bearing our
IIegimental coloFs The old Flag Is now
d0ubIy dear to rs, it being saturated with the
blood of our uoblest comrade-w Corpi. Bopp
is missing, but there is but little hope OF his
being aliye-in fact none. Corporal Cop;nc
had narrow escape, fragment of shell
passing through his tobacco, only breaking Il
rio; Howard Lamb was Injured slightly, but
is now doing duty; Peter Acam, Of company
l mortslIy wounded (diod while carrying him
across the river) Capt Ferguson, company l,
wounded badly in the LETT arm.
The troops behaved nobIy. Our Regiment
took into the engagement ninety-cight men
and lost forty-threc killed aud wounded. Our
] Assistant Surgeon, Dr.. Morrison, is deserving
Of the highest praise. lie did everything in
his power for our wounded until struck by Il
fragment of shell he was forced TO leave the
field. Gen. Kiaball was wounded early in the
engagement.
/ forbear making any comments on the ac-
tions of cur Generals. We We're rePulsed. bat
by no fault Of ours; we held possession Of our
own part of the battlefield until ready to re-
cross Tie river and ale now ready and wiling
to follow competent Generals wherever they
may lead
Yours Respectfully
4 WM i. McDERM0TT,