Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1863-05-22
CORRESPONDENTS.
CAur OF 9th MAINE Vots.,
NEAR White Oak Church,
Va. Nav 10th, 1868,
AIEssRs. SAWYER & Burr

! Va, May 10th, 1868.
( MEssRs SAWYER & Burr
Sirs-As many of your readers have frien''
( in this Company, and, as the las: few days,
have been to us days always to be remem
bercd. | thought, that, perhaps few word'
from me might serve either to confirm, or
to dispel the worst fears of many anxiout
friends.
We left our winter camp the 2sth ult.,
and marched to the RlpEahannock. When
/ within mile of the river, we took pontoon:
for three bridges, and carried then down
and at daylight had them hunchel, ready
for the use of the troops in crossing, at the
point where General Franklin threw his
! force across at the time of the former Fred
ericksburg battle.
As we very much fatigued, our Division,
(Lisht Division, 9th corp,) was not required
to cross that day. But on the lst inst. VT
were ordered over, and took our position in
front, doing picket duty that night. The
next day the rebel sharp-shootcrs opened fire
on our pickets. instantly-killing E. X. Phil
fps, and mortaly wounding, and since died
Alvin 4. Dow Of Hancock, both OF Com
pany b.
Saturday at midnight, We vera ordered
forward, and taking "A circuitous route, en-
tered Fredericksburg at daylight, the enemy
opening on us from their works on the hills.
| But soon we were in position, and our guns
began to reply Our position in line was
well to the right being in front Of the same
works that Gen. Hancock $ division charge
upon without success, three times during the
first battle. Soon Col. Burnham, who WAS
in command of the Division. was ordered
with bis command to charge upon and take
those same heights 1t was hard looking
sight. but when tho word came, we went
forward with u will.
First, there was plain some twepty-f
rods in width, then came a steep hill, on the
side Of which, about halt way up, was a
breIstwork, well manned. while on the sum-
nit. was another line with embrasures, con-
tanning seven guns, connected with breast
works filled with infantry.
We were ordered to hold our FIRE and de-
pend upon the bayonet alone, and well was
the order obeyed, for although our men be-
gan to fall before we were half across the
Elain, not shot was fired in return. until
We had gained the first line Even then we
did not halt, but rushed on to the main
work above. In another moment our Flag
was on the heights, AMI thus with cheers,
announcing to or friends below, our success
But now come the moments of anxiety, that
those who have never been placed in similar
circumstances eau have no conception of.
In the charge. the Companies became all
mixed up, each one striving to b. the first to
reach the hill Consequently when it was
over no one knew whether his particular
(, ip9Fs - ar and ,,nll
have seen the easerness with which the hand
was graspei, with those who had not been
parted but a few moments, you would then
'eaize that soldiers, like other people, do at
times have tender feelings
hen order WIS again restored, we found
that our loss had been quite heavy Major
ilaycock, and Captains Young of C mpany
q, BAllinscr, OF c.. c. and Gray OF Co. \ ,
being anon, the killed, apd Captains Buck
Of g E, Roach Of c. X, and Lieutcnan.
Mckinley Of Co. +, severely wounded.
OF the enlisted msn | will only give the
names Of those in our company. as YOU will
without doubt get tall particulars ere this
reaches you. Company B, had none killei
bat the following were wounded Wm
Honey, Amherst, ball through the body.
probably mortal W. S. Wes;. f lsworta.
do; Billings Madl0x, Ellsworth, wrist
shattered; Corp. L. W. Sylvester. arm
broken and Confusion Of side, T. c. Sum
ncr, arm. There were several Others slightly
wounded, but they are again on duty.
Alter taking the heights, We pursued the
enemy some three miles, accounts of which
and OF the endeayors made u dir Jdge them.
you will learn from other sources Let il
suffice for me 70 say, that it soon became
evident that We must again recross the river
or II taken prisoners, and even that chance of
escape WAS doubtful. Finally Colonel Burn.
ham was ordered to cover tie retreat and t.
hold the enemy in check, even at the sleri.
hee OF his whole force, which seemed alnos,
certainty. Soon the enemy were upon US
IN force, capturing our pickets without firing
gun. But We were not SO easily taken
and On their opening FIRE on US, we returned
It with interest, checking and driving buck
their advance Then rs we hat held them
as long as was necessary, and, as u hold
1t longer would ensure our destruction, We
began to retreat u the bridge. which the
engineers had thrown across Blnks Ford
W &c gained the bridge and cross d over with
out loss TO our regiment. excepting a few.
among whoir were, j, Ii. Christie, c. NJ.
Hastings. j. Gillispie. j. Brown and j.
Given, OF Company b, who sirayed away
and were probably taken prisoners.
ihs next morning We marched to Rich
ard Ford, about nine or ten miles up river.
which We guarded for two days and then
came back here and went into camp, The
most OF the troops are in their old camps
but We were not So lucky, being cucamped
on an open plain.
THUS ends this campaign, and to us i, has
been an cy;ntful one for although. | hone
we have brought no disgrace On old Maine,
1t is with feelings Of adness that We con.
template our loss. Knowing full well tia,
many home is this day filed with those,
who mourn the loss Of fathers, brothers, aud
sons. With respe.t
Yours &c, Co. B, 9th.
from the Maine Ilth Rc.iu,o,,,,