Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-09-14
CAMP OF THE 84th Regiment, z. V.
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Near Petersburg, Aug. 20, 1864. J
Mr. Row This evening while enjoying
few leisure hours will contribute few
lines to your interesting and patriotic paper,
which is greeted quite cordially as it makes
Its appearance weekly among US. srrr
On the 18th OF this month we broke camp
as Reserve of the army OF the Potomac, and
moved toward City point, at which place
transports were III readiness TO convey US to
some point that was considerably debated
among US. Some said we were bound for
PENNSYLVANIA to drive the Rebels from the
soil Of the Old Keystone State. Others
would have it the old 10th corps was to take
Mobile, while all agreed that the whole
movement was rather mystitication.
We were soon crowded on board the old
steamer .'Matamora" and gaily we steamed
down the James river, with bands playing,
fully persuaded we were on our way to a
battle ground nearer home. But such hopes
were quickly dashed, when about midnight
we rounded to aud moved to Deep Bottom,
where we had skirmish month ago.
Found the 10th corps engaged with the
Rebels, and after getting our troops landed,
and in position, our Brigade t2nd) of the
Sd Division, I'd Corps, supported the eaval-
ry on the Charles City Gross Roads And
after driving the army through an almost
interinable and impenetrable forest, threw
up temporary earthworks aud returned to
the starting point of that morning. On
Tuesday Aug. 10, we were early in line of
battle and made two distinct charges, one in
the second line of battle, the other III the
front In the former strong line of rebel
works were captured, the 'Johnies' leaving
so quickly as to drop knapsacks, haversacks,
and even their guns. The second charge
was made on a ravine IN which the enemy
had sought shelter and were reinforced by
fresh troops This ravine was carried and
quite a number of prisoners taken, but as
We were unsupported, and fresh troops con-
tlnually hurled upon Us, we were compelled
to fall back to line of captured entrench-
ments, amid an awful fire of musketry. AS
we fell back in skirmish line taking advan-
tage of every obstacle to retard the progress
Of the rebels, Sergt. Cha, les Hall was in
stantly killed by rifle shot III the mouth
His loss will be a great one tor the company,
as was universally admired for his bra
very and good soldierly qualities. He rep
resents another victim TO this unholy rebel
lion. Our hopes are that the important
movements now in progress will culminate
in the destruction of the military power of
the traitors, who hold sway in the South,
and restore to its future greatness the whole
country we hold most sacred.
1t is with sorrow and Indignation that we
read the sentiments Of great many of the
people of your county, and we hope that
the principles disseminated by your paper
may find lodgment In some of their minds
We consider that we are fighting to preserve
every one who Is not a member of the army
from the desolation of war, and 1t is small
encouragement TO US, that the very persons
who by our re enlistment are allowed TO re-
main at home should do the utmost in their
rNF
and throw obstacles in the way Of success to
the Union cause.
/ send few resolutions demonstrative of
the respect and sorrow felt by the death Of
Sergt. Charles Hall
TRIBUTE OF RESPECT
At meeting of the members of Co. K,
S4th Z. V, the following resolutions wers
unanimously adopted:
Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God to
take from our midst Sergeant Charles Hail.
who was killed during the late battles in
Deep Bottom, Aug. 10, 1864 therefore
Resolred, That we bow in submission to
His Divine viii in severing from our social
circle one to whom we were bound by many
ties of friendship.
Resolred, That in the death of Sergeant
Charles Hall, our company loses one of its
most active members, a brave and accom-
plished soldier, and q social companion Of
the first order; who died facing the COM
mon foes of our country and of liberty 4,
Resolred, That we recognize in his death
another martyr to the holy cause in which
we are engaged, and that we are more firm
ly determined that our cause is just and
shall succeed.
Resolced, That we sympathize with his
bereaved relations, who viii mourn his early
death.
ResoZved, That the above resolutions be-
published in the Clearield county papers.
SERGT w A NELSON,
Corp w B. HEsfPHILL,
r. i. YOUNG
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