The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-02-24

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marched again toward Loudon and seven
miles from Kingston we attacked Long
streets rear, consisting of division CON-
posed of Georgians, Texans, and Ala
bamians, and drove them before US nearly
six miles, taking several prisoners. On
the next day our Brigade entered Louden
where we took large quantity of stores
and pieces of artillery On the follow.
| ing day we marched for Knoxville, where
we arrived just iG time to join Burnside
| in his chase after Longstreet, and after
two weeks hard marching we gave him
up, and fell back to point called Blain's
Cross Roads, where we spent few days
and where we expected to stay during
the hard days Of the winter But in this
hope we were disappointed, because or
the 18th Dec'r'the rebel General returned
on US, reinforced by the addition of Gen.
Jones command from Lees army of the
Potomac, and attacked US on the right
flank, and after about hours hard fight
ing the enemy was repulsed The 4th
Corps was the on y one engaged in that
days fight. Our corps (the 23d) was in
the centre and the 9th Corps was on our
left. In this position the 9th and Esd
Corps were ordered to fortify by digging
rife pits. Just when we had completed
our Brigade was ordered to march on the
morning of Christmas day, at daylight.
We marched all day and reached the
Holston River, which we crossed on a
fiat boat, aud were pushed on without
single wagon, tent or blanket, as we ex-
pected to engage the enemy at daylight
IN the morning. About 2 o'clock, M.
we got into position ten miles from the
river Our position was in a corn. field,
and about 4 o'clock it began to rain. and
such mud and hunger never saw mixed
together. At eight O'Clock, VIC marched
out to our position, my regiment had the
centre. In two hours the fight ragged on
our left; the enemy were repulsed and
left the field, but took with them one of
our best guns-one Of the 18th Indiana
Battery. On the 26th we moved from
that position on the cambridge road to our
present position, distance of 6 miles
skirnishing on the road, the euemv's pic
kets falling back before us. As soon as
we got into position We bivoGaced and
commenced to dig line ofriAe pits, which
were finished the next morning. About
| 8 n. m. the enemy drove in our cavalry
| plckets and desuitory fght or rather
sklrmlshing commenced about two miles
in our fropt; oar forces falling back, and
the rebels advancing 10 three columns or
lines of battle, consisting of the forces OF
Generals Martin, Armstrong and Whee-
Ter; all under the command OF Lopgstreet.
Our Brigade was the only infantry within
twelve miles, the balance bciog cavalry,
about 10000 in all 1t would take me
three hours to tell you what saw and
what my regiment did on that day, suffice
1t that the Gen'l commanding was pleased
to say that "Col. Young and the 118th
won the day By timely charge by tn.
bayonet and covered themselves with
glory" Alas, Dear Robert, all fame and
glory in war is dearly bought; purchased
as it is with the noble life -bloood Of brave
men. lest one Captain and thirty-six
brave men. a piece of shell cut away
the cruppe" straps off my saddle and
slightly touched my horses back, mimic
ball passed through my horses name, and
it seems to ne that a thousand missiles
whi1zcd, shrieked and sang above my
head, beneath my horse and on all sides
of me. Many other regiments suffered
severely but not so much SO as ours
When | was peFintending the burial
of my dead noticed among the strange
dead gathered together for interment
fine looking young cavalry officer, and
upon inquiry learned that his name was
Lieut.. Finkler, of Bellefon,e, Pa, ad;u-
tant Of the 9th or 18th Penn'a Cavalry.
They fought on our extreme right, and he
was the only one killed Of his regiment. |
Up to this period we have remained
here's suffering great deal from cold,
many Of the men having no shoes, over
coats or blankets, and the route through
Cum berlaud Gap at this season is almos,
impassable for wagons. On the other
hand it will be months before our army
can repair the railroads to Nashville ori
Memphis. We are also suffering For sup |
plies fer the same reason, but manage to
live on corn meal and soanty supply OF
fresh meat. It is determined "by the
powers that be" that the Army of the
Ohio, as We are called, must carry on
vigorous winter campaign, therefore we
can only grin and bear it, | think the
Rebels cannot hold out another year, and
if God spares me to the end, shall then
sec you all.
g%Col. YOUNG was once resident of
Coudersport, and we have no doubt bat