The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-04-02

left on the field. At one point L saw an apah-
doned gun with horses dead i'll their harness,
while to the rear lay Is dead cannoniers, with
their rebel commander by their side. UneN-
pIoded shell and solid shot lay scattered where
they had dropped in many places thick as
paving stones while shattered and disabled
lnuskets, and munitions of war generally We're
scattered in wild profusion.
We remained in camp near sharpsley and
Baskerville, until October Goth when we cross
ed the Potomac at Berlin, and once more set
our feet on the sacred soil of Virginia and COM
menced another campaign. On the 22d of
November we arrived at onr old point, at
Brooks Station, in the mean time having
changed commanders, both in the brigade and
army pf the Potomac.
We remained at Brooks Station, experience
ing some very cold weather, until Dec. 9Th,
when. the brigade again broke up camp, and
marchedto the Ra~ppahannock River and Fred
e~ricksburg. On the 18th furious ~cannonading
commenced at 8 o'clock A. N. from our bat
teries planted on the heights overlooking the
city. while the Pontoons were being laid pre-
paratory for the crossing of the army.
In the meantime rebel sharp shooters had
been stationed in buildings on the opposite
side # the river, who dealt out death freely to
our p~ontooniers, while shortly after the order
was given to shell the town. The bonn
bardment which then followed was truly fright
full; from the Threats of 100 heavy guns came
a voice truly appalling to hear, and Freder-
icksburg was in the possession OF the Unlon
ARMY.
Very little opposition was made to the cross
ing of the army by the rebel batteries on the
heights. A few shots were fired ct the Iron
Brigade as they had halted by close column
in Ii ass, on the 18th, but fortunately missed
their aim, and accomplished no harm. All
the army had crossed and taken their positions
before night We bivouacked on the Bernard
estate; all became quiet, the troops reposing
on their arms, knowing full well what was to
follow on the coming day. The battle which
opened quite early on the morning OF the 18th
was on IN immense semi-clrcuIar line with
both ends resting on the river, above and be-
low the city of Fredericksburg, forming a line
of at least 6 miles while the Union army oc-
cupied the extensive level plateau between
the river and the heights. Aheavy fog which
hung over us in the early part Of the day, OBJ
scured much of the field from view. Noon
caplc, and with it a clear sky and a change
in the scene. Our army had advanced upon
the enemy, aud were drawn up III vast battle
lines, and were pouring volleys Of musketry
in the rebel ranks. A pallisade Of bristllng
bavonets glistened in the MONDAY sun, while
the volcanic bursts of fire from both artillery
and musketry was terrible to witness. From
the point occupied for a hospital, an excellent
view could be had OF our advancing columns,
particularly the left, and center, at times the
~cannonading would nearly cease; the battle
was then one of musketry, and again the mus
kerry would cease, and the cannon would
beIch forth their angry grape, canister and
shell, and then the two would combine in
waoinp the direct conflict. The rebels seem
Ell to fight with utter desperation again and
again our troops e~ndeavored to carry the bat
teries by storm, only to be repulsed with great
loss. II was pure madness to fight and strug-
Gle against such odds. The rebel positions
we're of great strength, while their their in
.fantry had the additional advantage of rifle
pits to scretn themselves from our bullets,
while every position and move OF the Union
army was plainly visible from every point.
Still our men stood to their posts and fought
unfinchingly until night again shut out the
view.
The sun set in golden beauty and as dark
ness shut out the light of day; the scene was
one Ol leTTluC utduGJ ain odDiAiiHty' W Pm
can paint it no imagination can conceive it ;
the flash of the belching cannon, and burst
ing of shells produced a brilliant %vividness
impossible to describe.
The result of the days carnage was terrible,
although the battle was not equal III severity
to that Of Antietam, yet it may be safely put
down, as one of the great battles OF the war.
As usual many gallant braves fell to rise no
M. IL ,-o-, o%ro,or nn1 " cnrolc
at the rising of the sun, now lay strewn iii
heaps of undistinguishable death. This voice
of misery resounded on every hand even the
red flags of the hospitals seemed to flap III the
night wind with a mournful sound while
within shattered wrecks OF humanity painted
and grew faint with agony. Out i'll the val
.leys, on tke rugged ridges, and down by the
babbling brooks, the dead are seen lying,
staring up with glazed eyes into the clear
winter sky, While the frost wraps a tIllny
shroud about them, and chills the ebbing life
currents of the wounded. Strange voices are
heard all along the lines, as the soldiers look
for their comrades among the fallen; lights
flicker to and fro like ignis fatull while the
pickets pace their weary beats through the
soil trampled and torn by the coatcnding ar
mics.
Alas. such is war; and such is but 4 faint
" drawn sketch of the scenes witnessed on the
battlefield at Fredericksburg. The battle was
not renewed on the ueXt day, and during the
night of the 18th the army We're all withdrawn
fully satisfied that the road to Richmond was
a very hard one to travel.
We remained in camp near fredericksburg
until the 23d, when we moved ana went lnt0
camp near the Potomac and Belle plain.
We have thus far hurriedly tracedthe course
of the I'd regiment through all their active
campaigns and battles, without enumeratlng
their losses very few regiments IN the ser
vice have suffered more. Most fearful, indeed
have been the breaches made IN their ranks
and it is with sadness that | contemplate the
many noble and brave officers and soldier;
who have fallen in the line OF Their duty, anC
whose mutilated forms are reposIng uncofflneC
in southern soil. while III some instances, the
9ommonest rites of the soldiers burial was ever
denied them. No marble points the stranger
to their resting places. But few as compared
with other regiments have fallen by disease.
The casualties Of the I'd regiment III tn
eight battles in which they have participated
were ia killed. and 1914 wounded. Many 0
the latter have since died of their wounds
while a large per cent have been crippled TO
life. Of the original felix and staff that LEI
the State, but n remain. The regiment,al
though it is now well o~fficeres, Yet il looks
and seems like a new and serange generation
sprung up of which we have no knowledge
Not a single Captain that left the State, nov
remains in the line. Those that have not fallel
in battle, have by galIantry gained promotion
prominent among which were Capt.Allen,( wh
now commands the 9Th Wis., and Capts
Bouck Mckee, Stevens and Mansfield the tw'
latter now being in the field of the I'd; Gu
present commander, Col. Luclus talrchlld Il
a man of sterling worth and ability. AS
man and officer he is universally beloved an,
respected while for GOODNESS and bravery o.
the battle field he occ upies the front rank
in the army; and 1 will venture to predict 70
him, that at no late day the American Eagl
will give place to a bright Star that will she
additional luster to his already bright path
way.
I'LL ---:& Iriof notice Of one q