Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-12-12
SATURDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 12, 1868


/ line at Orchard Knob notes the time by
rapid and vigorous firing. of which have
forgotten to ask an explanation and which
omission l leave to Others to supply.
employed the time by examining the hospi-
tails in rear of the lately assaulting party,
and finding, to my disgust only one rebel
and not single Eastern casualty to record
But alas, found at the old log hut which
was being used as n hospital and in the
side at the foot of the hill, many brave
heart that had grown suddenly silent to the
praises which comrades were murmurinr
. over them.
/ On leaving the valley and the hospitals
returned to the point on the right of the
ridge, where Lieut.. Gallender's guns were
I posted. Here found that Colonel LOOMS
brigade had, discaining the protection of
the railroad bank, rushed forward. and was
now skirmishing with the enemy for the
possession of an abrupt ledge of rocks,
which, outcropping from the hill side,
afforded secure position to an attacking
column, at point not more than fifty yards
from Fort Buckncr, which, let it be noticed,
was near the crest of the west side of the
hill, up which Loomis was now moving.
The brigade eventually gained possession
OF this by halt past one o'clock, when
second brigade. Col Matthias. moved upon
I its left and rear. This brigade got into
/ position without any serious skirmisliing.
| But while this force was moving up, the
enemy had continued to pour into Looms
not only continuous. though harmless fire
of muskctry, but had devised and put into
execution system of warfare worthy of the
ancients. THEY btyda Mrotriag stones And
| this. too, with such an effect, that they soon
| grew to be as great a terror to our boys as
gunboats were formerly to the rebels. These
stones-huge in size-partly thrown down
the mountain, would leap over the outiuttng
rocks and fall upon our men with great
force and doing much damage. The men
ut length, unable to bear this fire. demanded
| to be led against the fort, and did rush
forward, but met with such heavy fire
that, in their temporarily disordered state,
they were unable to stand it, and. breaking,
turned and fled only the color bearer of one
of the regiments remaining in position.
Here he continued, waving his flag, until
the brigade, having met in descending the
advancing brigade of Gen. Matthias, it turned
rallied, and again marched in good order
to the position formerly held 10y it, and
rescued their colorS from the enemy, who
was making charge for their possession.
The Colcr bearer remained unhurt. The
two brigades now laid down again, when
the enemy began again his fire of stones.
but failed this time to break the line. though
the troops were much harasscd by this novel
eXpedient to dislodgc them.
Not content with the strength of the
column which now lay resting on the hill.
General Sherman ordcrod two regiments of
Colonel Raums brigade of John f. Smiths
division to move up to the left and rear of
Matthias brigade, in order to support it.
These regiments, S0th Ohio and 18th Iowa.
moved forward and took up strong posi-
tion about half way up the hill. He had no
sooner gotten into position than Loomis
and Matthias moved from their position, and
began to advance up !hc hill, with loud
shouts Of encouragement. The enemy sprang
to their guns, and. from six pieces ofartillcry
ana long line of muskctry, Il heavy and
destructive fire was poured upon them
Instantly Raum, though out of breath in
climbing halfway up the hill, pushed for
ward in support Of this perhaps, premature
assault. The hill at this time titfully flashed
and harad with flame, and the columns, the
flags the h9urce of both toe and friend be-
ing plainly visible, there was presented the
most magnificent vision of war which has
yet been VouChsulcd me. | cannot and
dare not attempt to describe it. If the
reader can imagine two hosts thus strug-
Cling, his imagination however weak can
not fail to draw II sublimer picture than my
pen and, however bright that imagination
may he. i. cannot fail to fall far short of the
sublime reality
Through half hour of slow. toilsome
ascent diG this continue. The enemy con
tlnucd without iutCrmission To pour canister
and mUsket balls into the column whose
success they appeared so much TO fear. Our
men tOilcd on slowly, making but one wild
dash at The guns, from which they came
back maddenod with rage at their failure
From their line the fire leuped upward to
almost meet that of the enemy they were
approaching. Success seemed within our
very grasp, and when
1t was a partial Tepulse, but that momcn-
tary episode OF the battle will reflect undy-
ing honor on the army of which those rcpul-
Sed troops formed part. ! know not the
cause.-The rebel artillery may have been
concentrated on him, but Matthias broke
broke in utter confusion, thought, as ! saw
1t, and the men came rushing down the hill.
LOOMS still stood; Raum still moved for,
ward. BusMathias did not lly To the foot
ot the hill. just as the rctrcutiug troops
reached and were passing Raum's line, an
officer sprang forward among them, seized
the standard of one of the regiments, and
stuck it in the ground ! saw him wave his
sword once over his head and point up the
hill, could not hear hi, voice, but the
men did, and as il by mage which will
be forever a mystery to me-that routed
column turned turned instantly, and in u
single second was marching up the hill a.
firmly and strongly formed as was that Of
Raum, and apparently forming part of il.
Fot man went farther than where Rum's
brigade was met, and there all turned and
rechargcd, as il it were movement they
had been practising for years.
Aud then this whole line pushed forward
again certainly the most wonderful display
of human nature under thorough discipline
/ | have ever beheld oE imagined. Both
/ Loomis and Matthias mark YOU, had broken
once Yet now, after halt an hours fight,
: they again returned 10 the light by the side
OF liaum. IL i Ia me, writing IL, perfectly
| lnc0mprehensible, aud turn 10 nay noies lo
see II my memory Is not at fault but no
/ the wonderful achievement is there IN black
and Nhilc--thc very hour marked aud noted
/ anG ius. beneath il j. siill more wonderful
achievement la the last charge and fepul'r.
/ IL Was just az quarter alter I've oelork
/ that the forces then Ia line made a last granl
charge at the rehel works, nity yards in
iiunt at them. The line was perfect nov
thangh the stream ui wounded that slIas
] -. |. L.. 4. sa.sfff.I Tho