The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-02-20
Letter from the 10Th Reg't, P. Y.

X. GvCURTIN.
Letter from the 10Th Reg't, P. Y.
tN CAMP NEAR FLEroHER's
Feb, 6th, 1868.
Nix. EprroR:- Isl
As we have no correspondent and are
attached to New York Brigade, the service
we have done as a regiment has never been
made known TO the public. Our regiment is
composed Of men from the counties of Bedford,
franklin and Fulton, and left Harrisburg for
the field of action, more than one year ago,
with nine hundred and sixty men, comman ded
by Col. Thomas A. Zicgel, of York, Pa, us
gallant an officer as ever drew sword. lie
led ns from Maryland junction to Front F.oy-
nj, after the tamoue Stonewall, a distance of no
less than one hundred miles, after Which we
marched back to the town of WarreutDn, Va,
at which place Providence saw fl TO call from
us onr beloved commander. The command theg.
devolved upon Lieut.. Col. Mc.hlen, another of
Pennsylvania bravest sous. At this time we
were in q corps commanded by Gen. Mellow
eli, and in the Army OF Virginia, all under the
command OF Major Gen.. Pope, who soon put
the army in motion in iile direction Of Rich
mond, by way Of Gorlonsvle. Gen. Banks
then being in the advance, came suddenly upon
the enemy and engaged him at Cedar Mountain.
At this time the l07 iii Reriment lay at small
village called Culpe pper, about five miles from
the field OF action. Here we were most agree
ably surprised by The arrival Of our new COM
manler, Col. T. L. Mccoy, Of Harrisburg, who
arrived in time to lead us TO Gen. Banks assist
ance. We didnot arrive on the field until dusk.
The enemy soon commenced shelling us and
here our loss was considerable in wounded
We calculated to renew the action in the morn
ing but to cur great surprise the enemy had
gone in tbs direction OF Gordonsvlle. We took
up ont line of march and pursued them closely
TO the north bank of the Robson river, lay
there several days (Which was in the montilsof
August and then took up our line of march a.
gain and came back to the north bank Of the
Rappahannock, where We took position and
held the enemy in check for three days.
All that time Il continuous artillery fire was
kept up between the two opposing armies. BY
and by, the enemy oufnanked us on the right,
which caused us to fall back in the direction of
Manassas. The Rebel General Longstreet, at
this time, was marching upon us with seventeen
thousand men, by way of Thoroughfare Gap.
Our Division, commanded by Gen. Ricketts,,
was then ordered to oppose Longstreet's passage
through the gap. We again took up our line
of march and came upon the enemy's advance
at a'smalI village called Hay Market, three miles
on this side of the gap. But we soon sent him
reeling back whence he came and held possess
sion of the Gap until ordered to fall back, which
we did in good order. The following day
brought on the battle of Bull Run, in which
our regiment lost more than one hundred of IL
numbers, in killed, wounded and missing. Capt
John T.. Dick, of Company III, here lost his
life The command of Co. II then devolved
upon Lieut.. George w. Il. Black. The Army
Of Virginia and the Army of the Potomac then
formed a junction and fell back upon the delen-
ses of Washington, but was not permitted to
remain long there. For the enemy commenced
the invasion of Maryland, which caused the
battle of South Mountain, in which our reg-
ment suffered severely. They charged upon
the enemy and drove him in confusion from his
position, killing their Colonel and killing and
taking many of their number prisoners. One
member of Co. III, took four prisoners himself.
They then retreated back to Antietam, at which
place we again fought them. Our regiment o.
pened the fight at day-break. In this contest
we lost many brave soldiers. Among those
who fell seriously wounded, was Capt. G. w.
Z. Black, of Co. II, but we are glad to know
he has since recovered from his wound. After
the battle ceased our regiment lay some time at
place called Mercersville and then took up
our line of march and came to Fredericksburg
and in that battle lost in charge sixty-threc
men, killed and wounded The Pennsylvania
reserve corps claim to have taken the only fort
ifcation taken at that battle but this is incor-
rect. The 10th Rcg't, charged and took the
woods; also drove the enemy from the Railroad
and held it for some time Support did not
come to us and we had to fall back. At this
time our regiment cannot muster over two hun
dred men for duty. This shows loss of more
than two thirds our number in one year. THIS
is 4 correct account and we have never received
the honor due to us. Nevertheless we think
history will give good account Of the 10th
Reg't p. Y.