The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-05-21
The 1854 Penna. Vols. i'm the
Recent BATTLES. ~
CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA,
Mau 9. 1863.

May 9, 1863.
Correspondence of The Alleghanian.
Doubtless YOU have been waiting on
the tiptoe of expectation for something to
"turn up" in this quarter The mysteri-
Gus ''givings out" in homeopathic doses,
of information by the daily prcss--the
mods and winks and hearty congratulations
Of citizens at home that at last the Army
of the Potomac was about to move-all
couspired to attract public attention to
this army Within ten days time, from
the 9th April to May 9th, the army has
marched sixty miles, fought and won hard
battles, and retreated in good order to
their old position, where they are now en-
sconced, eating their rations calmly as
possible.
The 5th, 11th and 10Th corps struck
tents on the morning of the 27ti April
The 9Th corps started.at II o'clock. The
line of march was up the Rappahannock
Our regiment marched ten miles the first
afternoon, and encamped for the night.
Next morning, the 29,h, we were aroused
before daylight, and ordered to cook cur
breakfast, so as to be ready to march at
eight o'clock While we were devouripg
our hard tack and fat pork, in obedience
to this order, Gen. Hooker rode past, and
was heartily cheercd. We did not get
started, Notwithstanding our preparations,
until eleven clock. To-day we marched
eighteen miles, in the direction of Kelly's
t.
all day, more or less, and the mud ankle
deep On this days march, Lieut. Col.
Mccartney, who had been commanding
our regiment for several weeks past, or
dered us to halt and rest for a few mo-
ments, without permission from the. Bri
gade commander, tor which he was placed
under arrest, aud Col. Speakman ordered
to take the command. We cncamped for
the nigh. in a dark, thick woods.
On the 29th, we were up early, but did
not march over two miles during the day
The reason for this was, that we were then
ore mile distant from Kellys Ford, and
our brigade was the rear guard Of the
three corps There was but one pontpon
bridge TO cross en-, consequently 1t took
the troops q long time to march four
abreast over the river. At dusk ace eros
sed. The pontoons were made OF canvas,
which was infatcd-a new invention late
ly brought from Washington. This night
we received orders that we would be obli-
sed to march all night Tie boys were
up and ready at all hours, but Tor some
unex explained reason we did not move until
the day had begun to dawn on the morn
Jog Of the 30th. This day we marchc d
fifteen miles before three o'clock. on a
rough road On this march, Albion Sew
erance, of cur company, Cd fell out of
ranks, he being sick at the time He has
not been heard of since. We halted in
sight of the Rapidan for few hours,
when we again received orders to march.
There were no pontoons for US to cross on,
so we were compelled to wade it. The
water was arm pit deep to soldier five
feet six inches high The river was about
one hundred yards wide, and very swift.
We marched two miles further and en-
camped for the night.
On the morning of May lst, we resumed
the march lat daylight. Marched about
three miles and halted. Here we came
up with the main body of the army, aud
here we were reinforced bv the Isl, I'd
anu Oh WIZ iido CtOssSO a. ObA
States Ford, two miles distant.
The first shot was fired at ten o'clock
this morning. At one O'Clock we started
forward, and proceeded some two miles.
We passed deserted Rebel camp by the
way they have the same kind of tents
we have Our Generals discovering that
the Rebels were outhanklng US, we were
Immediately about-f faced and sent back or
double quick to the point where we had
last started from. No sooner had we hal
ted than tho enemy charged on Sykes
division of Regulars, but was nobly ie-
pulsed. Again we were ordered into line,
and went off at double quick towards
United States Ford Col. Allabach COM
plimented the brigade on the rapidity OF
this march, we making four miles in forty
minutes. We reached the nights near the
ford Just in the nick OF time. The Rebels
were in sight when we arrived, but retired
on our approach. We slept on our arms
during .he night.
We were engaged all Saturday morn
ing, May I'd, In throwing up breastworks
Firing heard occasionally on our right
The bslance of the day we laid behind
our stacks, sleeping en- our arms at night
in tho entren chmcnts. About eleven
o,ojooL tha he nppav scilarOeG