Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1864-06-28
Eagagements Of the 5lst P.V.

Engagements Of ths 5lst P.V.
The writer of the following interesting
details Of recent actions, was Steward Of
the Insane Asylum at Harrisburg, ioined
(thro' the Recommendation of DR.. Christi
Co H., 5lst P.V., and by his merits has
risen from 9th Corp. to % Lieut.. We
extract from letter to his first Captain.
Camp Of the 3lst Penn. Vet. yoi-l
near Cold larbor, Va June Q, 'Gi.
We FIRST mot the enemy in the Wilder
ness, May G. We got on the field early
in the morning and kept moving about
until about noon. Then forming 10 line,
We advanced through the woods short
distance the enemy opened on US We re.
turned the compliment, drove them from
their works, and held them for a short
time. The Brigade on the left failing
to come up, We had to fall back short
distance to protect our flank. We ad-
vauced again in the evening, aud held our
ground rntil afte. dark, when we were re-
lieved. The loss of Co. II, was Harrison
Bower, Reuben Baker, Henry G. Moor
mick, Peter Smith, George Van Gezsr,
Frederick Smith, (since dead) wounded.
We next met the enemy a. Spott,ylva-
MIA C. H.; May II. The fighting com,
menced at daylight and We were under
hot fire all forenoon. About [. p. NJ,
we wore formed into line with orders to
charge. We advanced 10 good style until
we got to within a few hundred yards Of
their works, when they sent in the canis-
ter by the Wholesale and their infantry
opened at tho same time. The men took
refuge behind hank, and opened lively,
but our left flank was exposed aud the
first thing We knew 9 Brigade of Rebels
came up in our rear through the woods.
They were soon among US. Our men
commenced to fall back. The Rebels Or
dered them to surrender: some did so,
others did not, and we got up a regular
hand-to-hand fight. They wanted me to
halt, but could not see the point. One
big fellow asked me to stop, and when he
found l would not mind him, fired, but
happily missed. 1t was very warm
place and l was glad when got out.
The loss of II was, George W. Foote,
j ohm Oldenderfer, Isaac M'Murtie, and
George ". Carey, wounded. Missing
Lit. Campbell, Hugh Mcclure, David c.
Brewer, Harrison Hause, Daniel NJ.
We,zell, John Harts, VIM. Miller, Jacob
Smith, Isaiah Smith, Simon Gass. l do
not think Campbell was hurt.
We reached the North Anna on the
evening of the oath, but did no. get en-
gagged, as We had battery to support.
On the morning of the 9th was put
in charge of thirty -four men on picket, in
an open field within $50 yards of the
Rebels works. They made US keep low
all the time. About IL, A. NJ, orders
came for me to send in the picke.s one at
! time. | sent in few, when the Rebels
found what we were at they watched US
close, and as man would rise to 60 four
u five hundred rifles would crack at once,
Until they wounded John Erdley and .
nan belonging to Co. E. The men then
said they would rather be taken prisoners
han run the risk. l told them they were
oon to be captured unless they went.
several more went, but the rest would not
tart. So essayed it myself, snake fash
on, crawling along, but they soon discov.
red me. got up and ran until it became
90 hot, and dropped behind log until
hey quit firing. Then l ran again, and
'as soon sheltered by a bill, and got back
afe. l lost Erdley and Yoder, sud about
2 men Of other companies, some Of whom
'ere wounded. think they were all
aken prisoners. l never wish to with
raw pickets in daylight if they are in an
pen field. We marched from there four
lilies, took up line, and dug rife pits.
On the evening of June lst, the Rebels
lade an attack on u.s. We bad some ,
oops on our left, but they run without
ring gun. II and E were on the left
the limo, the 3 left Companies *. G.
y being farther on tue right. Tho
ebels made break for the gap. When
Q saw it, 1t. Foster and !efs-faced our I
'mpanies and deployed them in the gap, !
't the men behind trees and logs, and
icy opened on the Rebels in foe style. !
few moments, the Rebels halted, and
o. H. K. G. and b. came up and We held
10 line. 1t was most interesting little o
lht Wm. Lepley was wounded.
June Sd, ws were formed in line about n