Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-05-20
OUR ARMY C0RRRsPoMDEH0R;
The Battle Of the Rappahannock.
rHE wIsCoNsrN sHARPsHooTzRs.


OAAF N8Ak o1ON6MAn . ~
- May 9th, 1868.
l now sit down to write to the readers
Of your paper an account OF the doings Ut
Berdan's Sharpshooters in the late battles
and skirmishes on the Rappahannock ID
the recent attempt of Gen. Hooker on
Fredericksburg. On the 18th OF April, IN
the afternoon, the long roll was sounded,
and soon after the two regiments OF sharp
shooters composing the I'd Brig, Sd Div,
Sd Army Corps, under command OF Col.
q. Berdan, lett their. old camp with eight
days rations, knapsacks, overcoats, and
so rounds of ammunition, and marched
ill long after dark some miles to our left,
resting near the Rappahannock below
fredericksburg. Weather damp and
cloudy. The next morning, 29th, we
heard firing below ns, and from an elevat-
ed position, our troops OF the First Corps
conld be seen engaging the enemy, who
were posted in rifle pits on the other side
of the stream. These they were eoon
made to yield, however, with a small loss
on our side compared to theirs, as l learn.
The famous Iron Brigade took part in this
affair, and understand many members OF
the Old Second figured conspicuously on
the opposite bank, chasing up and captur-
ing retreating rebels. Rain in evening.
3Oth.-In the morning, which was rainy,
we were mustered, according to military
custom, and in the afternoon were march
ed off width our division, commanded by
Brig. Gen. Whipple, to the extreme right,
resting four hours, from to 6 a. IA.
May lst, when We crossed the Kappa
200 rebel prisoners passing US en- route and
who recognized the sharpshooters as they
passed by, greeting US with remarks about
Yorktown, &c. Went forward towards
the front, from whence heavy firing could
be heard. Posted in the afternoon for
while on the flank OF the road as skirmish-
ers. 200 yards from same, to prevent a
break from that quarter by the enemy
among our mule trains, ammunition and
ambulances. Our provender and amnu-
milton, by the way, was generally carried
by pack mules, thereby doing away with
many numbering wagons. Towards even
ing the division was moved to the front,
and were, on their arrival, stationed in re-
serve near General Hooker's headqosT-
ters Heavy artillery firing and some
musketry Immediately in our front. While
here our boys witnessed charge of rebel
cavalry on our batteries from road in
the woods, which was considerably spoiled
10 effect to them, however, by rapid dis
charges from our field pieces OF canister,
etc. After dark we laid down several
hours, although the ground was damp and
our overcoats and rubbers were LETT be-
hind in the woods, under guard. About
IL p. M, however, we silently moved
back to where our things were, and rested
till daylight.
The next morning, May I'd, we were on
the road early, and advancing about
mile, rested in the woods in line of battle
ing up earthworks and digging pits. Were
then ordered off without knapsacks, which
were left with a guard, and proceeded
along the Fredericksburg and Gordonsville
turnpike some distance, passing the Sd
Wisconsin on the way. The sharpshoot-
ers were then ordered to advance as skir-
misbers over brushy timbered hill, and
not long after they sighted the enemy be-
low them in a field near road,
in which latter were several transports
hurrying off. These escaped us, owing to
the time consumed, alter some sharp
firing, in waiting the result of a rebel flag
of truce. With this came a Major VINO
surrendered, with forty others. Then
advanced again and captured q caisson.
cau.iu g a rebel battery to leave in hur-
ry; killed one horse and captured several
others; while private John Ross appeared
soon after. very cody driving up a fine
horse and buggy with its occupant by his
side, prisoner. John is a German, q
good soldier, aud likes to go out "on
bickets." 1t was his first fight, being q
Camp Washburn recruit-a good one
Our boys then got position along tie road
tor some distance, and occupied Themselves
shooting across a field at the enemy, in a
piece OF thick woods opposite, whenever
they showed themselves, or were disposed
themselves to shoot. Our centre was
situated about d rebel foundry, which
bad been used in making secesh shot and
she'll. On our left, Sergeant Lye, of Co,
u, In charge OF ten men, moved over Il
creek to feel the woods opposite, but
were soon obliged to retire, the enemy
coming out in force; our boys in this had
many close calls, and got considerably
soused in the creek on their return. They
behaved well, however. On our right,
about fifty sharpshooters getting body
of rebels In a railroad cut, caused them to
surrender under the muzzles of their
well aimed rifles. They numbered about
800, and belonged, with the forty odd
| taken before, to Georgia regiment, (23d
l believe,) aud were all, 50 they said, that
was left of that regiment except their
Colonel, who must have skedaddled or
otherwise disappeared The whole num-
Der was 365, nineteen of whom were Off
GERS. These fellows were not bad look
iLg Set, and were well dressed, nor did
they look very hungry, although as they
passed Us on the road they stated that
they came over to help Us eat up our
"eight days rations," which showed con-
clusively that they must bsve been pretty
well posted in regard 10 our affairs. In
fact, sometime previous to our moving,
| they would inquire over the picket lines,
''When were we coming over with our
eight days rations 2"
A daring feat occurred while we were
| posted here: An aid to one of our Cen