Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-12-09
Arng Correspondence,
HlstOry Of the Operatl0ns Of the 55lh. ?. Y.
65TH Pa. VoIs., FT. BURSHAM. VA,
Nov % 1864

Since every thing IS quiet, some account of our
regiment may be acceptable to you and your readers
as Bedford county is pretty well represented in it
shall accordingly commence with the opening OF
campaign Our regiment belonged to the 10th corps
which was in the Department of the South until early
last spring. When Grant was commissioned Lieu
tenant General this corps was brought to Ft. Mon
roe, forming part of Gen. Buffers army-sinee call
ed the HArmy Of the Jamesn-which was destined
to operate against Richmond from the South side Of
the James. The 4th of May was fixed upon as the
time for all the grand armies to move On that day
we embarked at Glocsster Point, sailed down the
York river, passed Ft. Monroe and continued our
way up the winding James. We landed at Bermuda
Hundred on the 9Th and pushed forward immediate
ly. Having advanced several miles we halted for
the night and commenced throwing up breastworks.
We remained here until the 9Th Early on the morn
ing of that day the whole command formed and took
up the line of march toward the Richmond and Pc
tersburg Rail Road, which was reached about 10
O'Clock without any opposition, and party i'm
mediately set tearing up the track. We again re-
sumed the march toward Petersburg. Our division
left the rail road and marched along the pike. About
2 o'clock the enemy was encountered near "oId
Town Creek" A lively skirmish continued for some
time: the enemy held very tenaciously to strip of
woods that skirted both sides of the road He was
finally disodged from this by an attack upon the
flank. A brisk fight continued for about two hours
when the enemy fell back under cover of his enrench-
ments. Night came on, pickets were posted, and
the troops, tired and hungry, parook of little sup
per, consisting of 'hard tack" and coffee, made in
tin cups then, spreading their gum blankets to pro-
tect them from the damp ground, wooed sweet Nor
pheus who speedily came to the relief of the weary
i The enemy made two attempts during the night to
force the left of our line, but each time met with
bloody repulse. In this little affair our regiment lost
considerably. Next morning it was ascertained that
a force had gotten in our We turned about to
settle with this presuming party but found that task
well done when we arrived at the scene of action,
though we marched rapidly as circumstances
would permit, the heat being very oppressive. That
night we marched into camp, and the remainder of
the troops also returned. On the morning of the
18th we again formed during tremendous storm of
rain. The elements seemed 10 be against u.s. for the
rain fell in torrents Long lines of troops marched
past US, consisting of infantry, cavalry, and fine
representation of artillery. At length we received
the word forward" and marched off this time to-
wards Drury's Bluff. 1t was ascertained that Beau
templated our design. Our line of march was the
pike, along which portion Of the enemy passed that
day. About clock, P. NJ, we came up with, and
opened fire upon, the guard with the artillery
Night approached and the rain which ceased during
the day, commenced again. Pickets were posted
and all the troops put in position to repe attacks
then we bivouacked on the open field. Everything
at hand was made use of to protect them from the
cold ground; the pslings around the garden of a Sc
cesh farmer sharing the common fate, A few slight
alarms occurred during the night and at early dawn
the troops were aroused from their sumbers, has
| tily gotten breakfast dispatched, and every
thing was ready to move onward. About 10 o clock
we heard the call attention, and we'd slowly to
the left. We struck the rail road, below Half Way
Station and halted. A accommodating party
was sent up the road, which soon came in contact
with the enemy pickets. Part of our regiment was
deployed as skrmishers on both sides of the road,
and brisk fight ensued. The enemy held an earth
work on bluff at the left of the road, from which
he opened upon us with field pieces. Our artillery
was put in position, and replied with interest An
attack was made in the rear at the same time, which
caused him to abandon his position. Our troops
| Immediately occupied the work, and shelled the re-
treating foe severely he then made a stand at the
right of the road and opened upon us from bate
ry An attempt was made to dislodge him from this
| position, and brisk engage ment was brought on,
which continued till dark. Then the forces were
withdrawn, and pickets posted. Our regiment had
+ fortune TO perform part of this duty. The night
I was cold and damp, the men were weary, and all
whose duty did not require them to keep on the
alert, Law down to seek repose Next morning, the
| 18th, an early move was made. An incessant fire
was kept up all day by the skirmishers, with deaf
ening roar of artillery as numerous dues were fought
with that arm. The enemy fell back about mile
Next day being Sunday, was pretty quiet. On the
morning of the 10th heavy fog settled close to the
earth hiding every thing from view, Our position
here proving inconvenient to the enemy, he had col
lected his forces for the purpose of driving back
The heavy fog was favorable to the attempt. Our
lines we're TO be advanced at the same time, but the
enemy took the lead. His masses were hurled upon
the right which was compelled to give way, not how
ever without inActing loss upon the assail-
ing cclnmn The left was then attacked by over
whelming numbers, and was compelled to fall back
also. Our regt. bore conspicuous part in this en-
gagement, losing heavily, especially in prisoners
Most of the regt. was upon the advance skIrmlsh
line and could not the approaching foe until the
fog lifted. An order was sent to the 10Th corps,
directing it to fall back early in the engagement, but
did not reach its destination at the proper time, con-
sequently large number were captured who might
otherwise have escaped. Lieut.. Barnhart, Co. d,
was killed Capt. Filler, Co. X, Lieuts. Lynch,
Co. A, OsNeill, Co. C, and Weaver, Co. G.,
we're wounded. Lieut. Col Bennett and Lieut.
Hodge, Co C, were wounded and captured. =
Col White, Capts. Fox, Co. A. Metzgar, Co. G.,
Lieut. 0'Connell, Co. c, Adjt. Gotshal end f1ss.
Surgeon Laurer, we're all captured. The command
deyolyed upon Capt John c. shearer. A stand was
made short distance from the field, and the enemy
gave up pursuit. We marched back to our old posi-
ton near Bermuda Hundred. Here the reg- par
ticipated in number of picket fights, some ap-
. !. IN, fI,a