Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-01-06

into our men. Both divisions however advance
ed to the woods, and number of prisoners hum
dred or more, were captured by them. The fire of
artillery and musketry was incessant at this time.
Presently, h0soerer, fresh and more Uiq0rous
fire burnt forth from the goods on the Pennsyl
oania reserves, trosoang neaYlg the sohoze OF the
division into confusion and disorder This EN-
boldened the rebels and they continued to adj
o0nce, meeting Nth not mach opposition from
those troops. Their officers tried TO rally them,
bat aoGthout success
s General Jackson, commanding one Of the
brigades, was killed by a musket ball, which
struck him in the head, while endeavoring to
rally his men. His body was left upon the field,
together with that of his Adjutart t, Captain Swe-
,ringen.
a s. This unfortunate decentralization of General
Mead's division caused partial success of the en-
emy's attempt to flank our forces. "
There can be no doubt that the g fresh and
vigorous fire - which caused such confusion "a
mong the enemy, was poured into them by this
brigade; for, when We got TO the railroad, they
were in full retreat y and wounded men picked
up in front of our line stated that they belonged
to Pennsylvania regiments. Shortly after We
reached the railroad. the brigade made short
movement by the left flank. and, while executing
it, the gallant Captain Dabney, OF our regiment,
was struck IN the hip by grapeshot, which in
ficted most dangerous wound. This meritori-
Gus officer was wounded in the arm In his first
battle at Mcdowell, and. setting an example wor-
thy OF al imitation, returned to his regiment ere
his wound was ye. healed. The battle near
Fredericksburg was the second in which ne was
engaged and again it has been his fortune to-be
wounded. The most heartfelt wish of Us all is
that so valuable life may be spared TO his coun-
Try and friends. The same discharge of grape by
which Captain Dabney was struck down, tore the
skirts of Captain Bumgardnefs coat into rio
n MI cNaf and NO
sincerely echo the words Of Mr.. Clay in reply to
Mr.. Randolp h-after the duel between them
when similar obligation was stated, that we are
& heartily glad that the debt is no gre ter
The enemy having fallen back before our fire,
we remained under cover Of the railroad embank-
meut for the rest Of the DISCRIMINATING con-
stantly with the enemy. At night we moved a
short distance into the woods built fires, and BIZ
vouaced.
On Sunday morning we were moved to the
support of some Of our batteries on the right OF
our position, and had rested but short Tune
when cannon shot from the enemy came tearing
through the woods, in advance of the report, Sc
verely mangling the legs of privates HuNz ana
Drane, and slightly wounding private Alrkle--
all of Captain Bateman's company. For few
minutes the storm OF shot and shells that mad SO
fatally opened US was terrific, ana Wouid no
doubt have been longer continued mad the enemy
known the havoc they were likely to WORK among
N o incident OcCuffou " uo "Oilhy VI nosS
on Monday. save that private Mayfeld, of Cap
tain Bumgardners company, was severely wound
ed in TIE arm while returning from picket, b.
one of the enemy's skirmishers, at long range
On Tuesday morning We were driven from our
blankets before day by heavy rain storm About
8 o'clock we formed in line, and received Gov
ernor Lstcher, who visited us, with hearty
cheers, and renewed them upon being informed
that the enemy had feerossed The river. Not
long after, our pcrtion of the army took up the
line of march towards Per. Royal, and IN this
neighborhood We have rested quietly ever since.
We have been ordered to erect shelters, and are
in hopes that some further measures OF tranquil
ty may be allowed us.
The Act of Congress g to relieve the army of
disqualified, disabled, and incompetent officers,
was read to us, under orders, few evenings
ago, on parade. and General Early seems deter
mined to enforce it in his Division. II this law
be executed fearlessly and impartialy, great ben
eft to the public service may be expected there
from.
Should 1 write to you again, will promise to
make breyity my study.
Yours, &c.
MILES.