Weekly Trinity journal., 1864-10-08
NUMBER 80.
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Ii fHS FfEtp, NEAR BoLrvER |
HIGHTs, Nh. Aug. IL Ien4.

Ii fHS FfEtp; NEAR BoLrvER
HIoars, MD., Aug II, lee4
DEAR JOURNAL We have been in the field
actively engaged, ever since the movement of the
Confederates towards Maryland. Our regiment
has been In the skirmish line on picket duty
and in several spirited engagements, winning for
itself from the supporting infantry and artillery
an enviable name Comparatively few casualties
are reported. We are opposed to one or two
South Carolina regiments and some Virginia
soldiers. They fight desperately, the South
Carolinians having especial hatred to any
soldiery connected with the Bay State. We have
destroyed and captured within the last week one
South Carolina regiment, excepting two compa-
nies. could mention several instances Of per-
sonal bravery, but they much similar
to those frequently recorded, shall not repeat
them But few instances of cruelty by the enc
my to prisoners are noted. We have lost Capt.
G. s. Eigenlrodt. Company Z, formerly of Ala
media county. He volunteered for pcrilous
| service. Gen. Sheridan wanted prisoners, from
whom to obtain information as to strength and
position of the enemy. Capt. Z. offered his
service. He charged with his squadron right
up to the enemys entertainments, engaging their
attention while four men, detailed for the pur-
pose, fell suddenly on picket post and captured
four rebels. Capt. Els last act was to wave
back his men from position dangerous and un-
fenable Immediately after he fell from his horse.
Information from the enemy assures us that his
body was decently buried, and his personal eff
fects saved for return to his friends He was
brave man, and though somewhat reckless, was
always regArdful of the safety and comfort Of his
men. As citizen, he was thorough gentle
men as soldier, his whole being devoted
| to his country ani his life given up readily
| for n cause to which he conseientously adhered.
| Yesterday afternoon, in n brilliant charge, we
lost StCitir +. Meader, of Dutch Flat Califor-
mia, and formerly Orderly Sergeant of Company
VI. Whether killed or only wounded, we are
unable to say. We shall most probably ascer.
tain his fate to-day, as the regiment has just
gone past me, doubtless to do some work beyond
our lines.
For the few past days the skirmsh lines have
been tolerably quiet, except when charges were
made ag inst the opposite lines by our infantry
and cavalry. Our pickets are on amicable terms
with the Johnnies, exchanging papers, tobacco,
etc, and indulging in humorous discussions of
the war in all its phases
So far the object of the enemy is undiscovered.
All we know is that he is strongly settled in our
front Possibly desperate state of affairs at
Petersburg and Richmond has compelled hint
make demonstrations hitherward, with view to
| call Grint away from his position. In this he
will f,il, as Grant says he is down there to take
Richmond and won stir until he has completed
his task.
Since my last Major D. w. c. Thompson who
brought our Battalion East has resigned COM
pellel to this cad by treatment received from
superior officers. " ,jor T has always done his
duty but unfortunately so tenacously fought
for the interests and rights of the Californians,
who made the regiment what it is as to draw
down on him the hatred Of those in command.
At Headquarters h. has always maintained for
him self high reputation. While he communal
ell the picket line on the Potion &c, from Muddy
Branch to the Monocacy, his waichiulness and
ion from thn al
commanding the Department, well as from
Secretary Stanton. While regret his deplrt-
ure We hope higher position awaits him. and
a wider field for the exercise of his many qauli-
| ications. 1t is rumored that many other officers
only await the time when the enemy shall have
turned his back on US, to resign.
Owing to the unsettled state of the regiment
have been unable to obtain accurate and reliable
information ~ to oar losses since the invasion
in July, and up to this date. shall attend to
it soon possible. Health of the fo.
hereabouts excellent, and their spirits high. -
Let folks tell you as much they wish that the
soldiers are getting tired of the war, but don't
believe it.. Ny business sends me into many
camps, and in all of them find continued
willingness to do battle for country as long as
there is fl IS Auttering over them. have been
along fve miles OF line and on all necessary oc-
casions have observed that the men were ac-
tualiy eager for fight. Rather queer business
|
scores of bullets, dealing death, and mangling
and manning hundreds, and Al few minutes after
wards the same men are talking across the lines
as though they had never been trying to Kill one
another.
Stellar E. Meader's body went by few
minutes ago. 1t was found on the field of yes-
terdiy' conflict, the skull crushed in apparent
ly with the butt of musket. The supposition
is that he fought desperately and was finally
surrounded and beaten TO death. From inti-
mate acquaintance with him, am able TO say it
was just what might be expected Of him. The
horrors of Southern prison lif. are evaded only
by DEATH This is the sixth California officer We
have lost, three being prisoners South and three
killed. Ont of the Massachusetts officers, one
Major (Forbes) was captured, through cow
ardice, one Sergeant captured, and one Captain
(Stone) killed, waile brlve.y enieayoring to
turn the tide Of battle in our favor, near Aldie,
Va. 1t will do to notice these facts plrtculary,
as ompimentary-inference may be drawn for
the California Cavalry Battalion.
The enemy 5 force in our immediate front have
withdrawn. They doubtless concluded that
losing from twenty-five to one hundred officers
4 and men daily, on skrmish line, was rather
Improbable. Or this movement may have some
connection with the fact that our forces drove
the enemy out Of Charlestown this morning
Our Brigade is now out on their heels Only
Lees utter de spsration could have driven him to
send strong force up this Valley, in order to
induce Grant to raise his siege. According to
latest adyices Grant stiff s.ubbornly maintains
his positions before Petersburg and Richmoui.
-Tac situation everywhere is fatterinz. We
have held the enemy in check in all of his un-
dertakings and beaten him in all important bat
tlcs.s Th- Lite Peace pow-wows have ended in
sn,k, al opalei tic eyes of the lukewarn to
the fact that til, oli3,r;hy of the Soath wishes
/ for settem ut of til, war, unless on the basis
/ of 1adsp.ade1-. OF the Confederate St,te,.-
Hereafter thea, all who clAmoT as to the injus.
tics OF the war against the SoHh aaad its coa.
duct as oaly political measure, matt be set
dowa as eie'n.es Of this R.plbiic, aai danger
Oh, to the p-o ,ps.sty an slcSess OF the U aion.
AMI saolli b, trs re rgorousy sss theif trsach-
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