The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-05-04

coming in contact with piece OF shell, the
consequence of which was the utter demorali-
zation of said head. The campaign OF 'o2 tor
our corps terminated with the battle OF Bull
Run 2nd At this battle the brave and Ia
mented Col. Cantwell fell, nobly doing his du-
ty. OF our company we had 10 wounded
John Arnold, Timothy Fisher, and William
Martin were killed.
"Brave boys are they gone at their country CALI
And vet, and yet, We can net forget, that many
brave boys must fall
Charles Deitrick was severely wounded IN the
arm, hand and ankle, the latter caused the
amputation of his leg, from the effects of
which he died. Peace be to his ashes.
After making several minor marches, we
went into winter quarters at Stafford Court
House, Va, where we had fine times-in fact,
we were gay and festive, guarding hard tack
and living on soft bread and potatoes; the
Regiment doing Provost duty.
April 9th, '63, we again took up our line
of march, crossing the Rappahannock and
Rapidan, fighting the battle of Chancellorvile,
where our mutual friend, Lit. Beer, fell. He
was noble young man, AID made splendid
officer always stunning wrong, never finch
ing from right or duty, he manfully sacrificed
his life for his country. There were no other
casualties the in company. but all nobly did
their duty. Immediately after the fight we
returned to Brooke's Station, and remained
encamped there until June 18th we then
started for Gettysburg, arriving there July lst
Our Regiment was in the advance, and was
among the srst to open that terrific battle.
Lieut. P. c. Meredith and Asa Hines were
killed, and 16 wounded. Before the fight the
company nun bered 33 fighting men !; but 10
of them were left for the next three days
fighting that had to be done. 1t was indeed
a sorry sight TO see those few standing ready
to avenge their fallen comrades. There being
no commissioned officer left to our company,
the 1st and Sd Serg'ts being wounded and the
I'd Sergt, Vim. H. Moores killed, the command
fell upon me, L 5eing the next senior officer,
How we'll did my duty, others are to judge.
Our arms were crowned with a glorious VIC
tory, and the inexorable Gen. Lee Was forced
to retire. We followed him, foot sore and
weary, with that little band of Is, four of
whom were barefooted, marching through mud
and over stone, feet bleeding at every step,
but nothing daunted. All were anxious to
crush the rebellion, and we pushed forward
with zeal not often equaled One day
marching So miles through rain and mud,
took the shoes from the feet of three dead
men and gave them to my boys. We overlook
the enemy at Boonsboro, Md, and had skir-
mish with them, as also at Hagerstowni fol-
lowed them to Williamsport, on the Potomac,
they had crossed, which made further pursuit
of no avail, and we retraced our steps. Then
is when true soldier hates to march, but we
had done a good work, and our country will
reward us for it.
We finally arrived at Warrenton junction,
Va, and went into camp, after marching 40
days, enduring all manner of fatigue and hard
ships, fighting the hardest battle of the war
Before the fight the Regiment numbered about
$50 men present, of which 1863 were killed
and wounded Is officers wounded and kill
of 25 present.
September 25th, we were ordered with the
corps to the Army of the Cumberland, with
"fghting Joe Hooker" in command. We ar
rived at Bridgeport, Ala, Oct. I'd, and remain
ed here until the 9th, when we were ordered
to break camp, and open communication 10
Chattanooga via Wauhatchfe and Lookout Va
leys. On the night of the 28th we again en-
our Virginia friends, and [ need not
assure you we that received them with out
stretched arms. They were whipped and
forced to retire. failing in their object, that of
capturing our wagon train. Fatigue duty
wat next in order till the 22d day of Nevem-
Der, when we broke camp and started for
Chattanooga, and participated in the battle of
Mission Ridge. Immediately after the fight,
we took part in the march to relieve Burn
side at Knoxville, distance of 1t6 miles
were gone 27 days, drawing only 3 days "a
tions in the 27, and living the balance of the
time on captured flour and sorghum molasses,
wearing raw-hide shoes, &c. This was, be-
yond doubt, the hardest march of the war
We returned to camp at Lookout Valley, De-
cember 18th, 1868. Who would re-enL.st af-
ter this severe campaign? Who ? Compa-
ny K, all but one, and he had not been in the
service two years, but was anxious to re-en-
list.
We were paid at Louisville received about
$4,000 in "greenbacks," which entirely rid us
of gray ones, for we got new clothes and start
ed on our way home.
s'Be ever so humble, there is place like home
Where all arrived safe, and enjoyed thirty
days better times than man ever did before. =
Feb. 24th we returned to Camp Chase,
where we drew new Camp and Garrison equip
age, and started for the front. All in good
spirits and anxious to finish the rebellion: We
are now lying at Bridgeport, Ala. The old
1lth Corps, with whose history we have al
ways been connected, is no more; it now
forms part of the Goth Corps, under Gen