Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-06-18
@ correspondence.
WRITTEN poR THE COLUMBIA DrMooRAT.
Grants Virginia Campaign.
EXTRACTS FROM A DIARY.

May sd.-The long expected campaign
really opened to-day. After dark the tents
were quietly struck, and the various Corps
marched to the Rapdan. The utmost vig-
Hence was observed to prevent the enemy
from discovering the movement. *
May 4th.-Our Corps, the Second,
crossed at Ely's Ford without opposition.
Had our passage been disputed much loss
must have ensued, as the southern bank Of
the river completely commands the North
ern. Lee was either surprised, or consid
cred it unadvisablo to attempt the defense
Of SO long a front. We marched over the
Chaneellorvile battle ground, and by a
wonderful coincidence encamped on the
same spot where one year ago to day, we
we're in line of battle, engaging the enemy.
The spot was full of interest. At this point
our Batteries had been massed, the horses
sent to the rear, and preparations made to
hold out to the last. Here Gen. Whipple
was killed, land SO many desperate attempts
made by the enomy to break our line. A
few hundred yards to the front was the
Chancellor's House, and over the whole
field was scattered the usual debris of
battle field. Our intrenchmcnts had been
lcvelled by the enemy, after Ho oker's re-
treat.
May 5th.-Commenced our march at
daylight. The weather was intensely hot.
Passed a furnace and some ore mines,
which bore evidence Of having been recent
ly worked. About noon the enemy were
met, and it soon became evident that be-
fore moving further ace must fight. Tho
ground selected by Lee was in dense
chapparel, which covers this country for
miles, and is called the Wilderness. Thick
underground not only presents the ordi-
nary mapeuvres Of troops, but couceals
the enemy. Success or dieasters at the
different points cannot be noted, com.
mands cannot be rapidly communicated
and in fact the only way to get along is te
bush-whack on a grand scale. In this
} the enemy are evidently our superiors.-
Heretofore their Infantry has proved supe
rior to ours, while they confess the infe.
riority of their artillery. This probably
, induced Lee to select the Wilderness as ,
) battle ground. thereby depriving US Of The
use of our most efficient weapon The
l artillery of this army numbers 900 guns
Q of caibers from 10 Founders up to 32s.
The lines was hastily formed on th'
Brock road, cutting at right angles lh'
Orange plank road. With instructive
c haste the pen commenced throwing VI
n entertainments, using for that purpose, ,olt
logs, planks from the road, in fact any
, thing that would stop bullet. Genera
Hancock held the loft, Scdgwick the cen
the, and Warren tho right, Burnside sly
o ing around loose as the boys expressed
it. AS Sedgwick's artillery had not ar
\ rived, our Battery, IF. lst Pa, arty.
Capt. Ricketts, Commandlng,) was sent t
report to Gen. Getty commanding Di
f vision of the 9th Corps, 1t was fount
that in advancing, only section could b.
used at time, and that must adv ance il
y echelon, and l may truthiully say chat
I. never expected 10 bring man out Of tn
: engagement. Our skrmish line was onl
e so yards in front. AS the minute ham
4 of the watch pointed to 4:30 p. M. th
4 command "march' was given. The onl!
4 signs of the enemy at the time. were fe'
4 rebels about 400 yards in our front stan d
ing out boldly in the road. An advanc
of few yards showed their presence, an
the silence changed to deafenng roar @
n musketry. We advanced stsaiily abou
n 900 yards, wheL ] deemed it proper t
+ unlimber and commence firing. Scarcel
had | done so, when the whiz Of she
d over my head showed that the enemy ha
b masked a section Of Napoleon guns in tn
G road only 400 yards in front of me. Her
= was tangible enemy, aad We replied
l. At first they had it all their own way, br
" finally one of my guns blew up Timber
IT and in another moment we had killed
0 number of their men and Eve Of the
t, horses. They then hailed canister anon
Y us, but our percussion shell proved sup
d rior, and their guns were hastily will
rs drawn. For moment there was lul
st and then the rebel line charged, Slowl
A they pressed our men back, yet yelling a
e. tho time like demons. contentod myse
= with firing shell until the head of co
n umn entered the road in my front at Il
II double quick, their men cheering al
ae waving their colors. Now was the tin
for canister, and well was i. used. II