Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-09-24
Letter from the sunbury Gunrd,.
NEAR BERRYvrLLE, VA,
September z, 1864.


NEAR BERRYvlLLE, Va,
September z, 1864.
DEAR WILvERT
For several days after the army had
advanced up this valley, the men were bu-
silly engaged in building intrenchments and
fortfying their position, two miles west of
Charestown. During the entire night and
the whole next day were the boys at work
with the shovel and pick, carrying rails, &c,
building breastworks for the protection of
the regiment, and scarcely was the job fin
ished the bright spade put aside, when fall
in" was heard, and the 47th was moved to
another place to build other earthworks.-
This they done chcerfully, knowing the
work was necessary and that it was for
their own protection. The position beld by
our army, at that point, was excellent, and
SO well arranged MAS our defcnces that an
attack made on Us by the enemy would
have been disastrous to him, and adde 4,
another name to the list of onion victories.
The enemy knew this, and after finding out
Shcridan's strength fell back towards Win
chester, keeping his head quarters at Bun.
kcr Hill. Our forces on last Saturday morn
ing, then broke up camp, following them to
within one mile of this place, where sc
found signs of the Johnnies. The Sth corps.
Gen. Crooks, commanding, was in the au.
vance who rested in line of battle, with
arms stacked, for couple of hours, While
pickles were being posted After the pickles
had been established this command weni
into camp, and had Just finished pitching
their tents which WAS about four clock =.
NJ, when heavy SkirmiShng WAS heard on
the picket line. The wnoit command was
rapidly turned out and formed, and moved
to tue support Of the picktts, who had been
driven iIOm behind some intrcnchmcnis,
which they bad occupied.
From tue correspondent Of the Baltimore
Amcricaa, / learn the following facts OF the
fight:
The GG,h Ohio and 9th Virginia were
formed aud charged tie enemy, driving
them out OF the entertainments. dvspc-
rate struggle now ensued, the rebels being
determined, it possible, to regain possession
OF these cIitruuChmcntS, With this object
in view they nIasscd full two divisions Ut
their command and hurled them with their
accustomed tcroclty against our gallant lit
t.e band, who were supported by both Tho
burns and DuNali'S division. They were
handsomely repulsed every time they chang
cd. the conflict lasting long after the sun
mad set, aud artillery firing being kept up
until 8 o'clock.
Our loss was about three hundred killed
and wounded; that of the enemy, from
good information, was at least Onc-third
greater, besides fifty prisoners and II stand
of colors.
While the fight was going on, the 9th and
18th corps were pushed forward and took
up several lines, but not being needed, did
lot share in the punishment given the re-
bcls. On the next day, Sabbath, the pickc,s
had hard work and done "A great deal OF
liring with the enemy, \ mcmhcr OF Com
pany c., to which belong, told me he fired
nlty-lhruc rounds at them. What punish
ment was inflicted | cannot TELL on tie part
| ul the Jonunics, but to our men, know il
was small two men Of the 4,th wounded
! 10y the same ball, and they slightly.
! On Monday the 47th was out on Il recon
noisance. Four companies were in adyanc,
| as skirmiShers, who soon were received 10y
shower of bullets from the graybacks, This
! did not, in the least deter them, for they
gave as good as they got, and with the re
gimcnt pushed on driving the enemy betor,
them. The main portion of the regiment
! dare not fire, for il they did, the shoutin;
| OF our own men wuuld have been the cnnse
qucnCc, 80 they stood the whizLing OF buI
lets about their ears, us well as could b,
expected uHter the circumstances. In thi
work two members of Co. c., were wound
ed. David Sloan, flesh wound in right arm
from II minnie ball, and Benjamin Mckillip
IN right hand These wounds are slight
but at the present time somewh hat painful
not so much so, however, as tn prevent then
enjoying that great luxury OF soldier
sleep. Capt. Oyster was struck by II bal
staggering him, but otherwise doing n
injury. In his being hit there is circun
stance connected, that | cannot help bl
giving you, even you may put 1t down as
Rsh story, though tor the truth the whol
company will youch. The ball struck hli
un the back OF his shoulder, made hole Il
his vest and shirt and none m tho coat Tw
members OF Co. h, were wonnded-one Z
them has since died.
The whole army have been buslly engage
in digging intrenchments, aud throwing u
breastworks, and now occupy very slron
position. Whether there Mill b1 an engag'
menl here, og what the movements are
be, can form no opinion Tor II there Was
General ever kept his thoughts, Sheridan
the one, aud II is an imposslbllity TO IN
out anything until II Is completed For M
terlM % write ON, Que Is confined % hls oM
brigade, and there Is 80 much samcness
that, that II would be but repetition
, send II 10 you, II were Ia take down u
! Thousand aud one rumOTs that daily cou
into camp, | could all columns OF the Ame
iola, weekly, but as | prefer iae,s, | boz
you viii lac satisfied u send you news seal
: occasionally.
! iwTose "a you few days ago of the pr
motions Ia Company G., but ioI teas they al
not frsch yon, ! srhd them again DAM
, uyslef Caplain William NJ. iiendncks, 1
: Lieutenant ani Christian =. bsafd, ~
: i.iruisnant they are Nvll llksd, gad
4 lhelf aca pDalliuns gigc saiisiaciion, VIZ
J. thr sAoepllin ~ lAe s0undrd, lhe boys a
: apli, pyliecily eonienisd siih thar loi, on
that ihsy hase . gfrss hsaasiing iuT q
! gafaksts ihsl b. dgr a. ihrm tiesr, a
! raid. all bs forthcoming Ia . lgs dal
|, hhA frsiigfts ~ loaftEli, isniily And u
Il uttpils, 1 irnlain,
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