Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-07-15


70 GAe Editor of fhe N. Y Triduns:
Sir: In your issue of May p, 1854, you publish
ed communication, signed y. W, from cor
respondent with the 10th Army Corps, dated Near
City Point, Va, May lG, 1864, giving an account
of the enemy attack on lines near DruryS Bluff
Va, on the morning of that day; which contained
the following paragTaphs
aCol. White, commanding the lat Brigade in Gen.
Amesa division Of the 10th Corps, was pierced with
fifteen bullets, while endeavorng 70 encourage the
k5sh Pennsylvania, which behaved badly"
AS vour paper has been the instrument of spread
ing this SANDER throughout the country, we feel that
we have right TO ask that you Ihouid publish the
contradiction. In the first place, Col White was
teken prisoner unhurt, Snd "as EoA Giercec with
leon receiying the paper containing ~. VS."
communication, Capt. John G. Shesrer, then com
usndine the regiment, addressed the following com
municateas to Brigade headquarters;
HEADQUARTERS 55TH REGIhENT PESSA. Vols.
May "a, 1864.
Lieut. e. W. Caruthers, A. A. a. General
Sir. In behalf of the officers and men OF the 55th
Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and in justice to
she MANY relatives and friends who are mourning the
loss of our dead companions who fell in the engage
neut near this place on the 10th inst, have the
honor to request that the statement which appeared
IN the Kec York Daily Tribune of the DIST inst,
the signature Of y. W., to the effect that the
b5th Pennsylvania behaved badly in the fight on the
18th, be examined into by the General in command
Of the division to which we're at that time attach
ed and if found incorrect, as ali well know il 70
be, that it be officially cont-adicted.
am, Lieutenant, very respectfully your OBJ dt ser
want, }. z. SHEARER,
Captain commanding 55th Regt. p. V.
This communication, having been forwarded TO
Gen. Ames, was indorsed by him as follows Res
pectfully referred to Capt X. O. Greenleaf, Provost
Marshal, for investigation and report. Aftcr hav-
ing examined into the matter, Capt Greenleaf made
She following report:
Office A. A. Provost Marshal Sd Dipssion 1861 A. c,l
Mar WIRE BoTToN CHURcH, VA, June l 1854
LIEcT. CHAs. a. CARLETON, A. A. A General.
SIR have the horror TO acknowledge the receipt
OF the request of Capt. John c. Shearer, command
ing 55th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers refer
red to me from Division Headquarters, relative to
che behavior of that regiment during the engagement
on the 18th Of May last, st DrurY's Bluff In reply
win state the position ofthe 55th Pennsylvania Vol
nnteers and the 4th New Hampshire Volunteers, be-
ing portion cfthe LIST Brigade, and under command
of Col r. White. When the enemy opened fire on
the morning Of the 10Th, five companies of the 4th
new Hampshire Volunteers were at the front, on
fhe advanced picket FIRE of the brigade protected by
= rnesp thrown up the night previous the remain
ing nVe companies being IN their camp, short dis
lance N the rear The reserve we're Immediately
ofosred to fall IN, and marched forward in line Of
Dattie, under the command Of Col Bell, to support
tne advanced line, which was done without loss, the
fog at TINS time being very heavy which doubtless
prevented the enemy from poticSnp the advance Az
the nre from Their batteries went over u.s. and fell
near our camp. Immediately afterward the 55th
pennsylvania oiasteers marched forward in our
rear. the regiment being formed in two lines of bat
tle, their night resting IN the rear of the
advanced picket line
Here they halted, and the men were ordered to
lie down. At this time the fog lifted and the enemy
noticing their position opened upon them with solid
shot, shrepneIl and she'll Being on the right of the
4th N. II. ", the enemys fire passed over nv com.
pany and was received by the 55th and also on the
the center and left of the 4th N. III, ", causing
large number of casualties In both regiments A |
section of Langdon's Battery which had been sta |
toned in the edge Of the woods oug left opened
nre on the enemy. The 55th were then ordered to I
change position, battalion closing up the 4th
= Il. y; the other marching by flank to the left-
soon afterward an order came for me TO report to
Col Bell when received order 70 march my COM |
psny from the rfe-pits by the left hahk, which or
Ger was complied with. In leaving passed in the I
rear ofthe 56th who held their position in good or
ger Here my own personal observation Of the 55th /
seases, and can report that what saw of them url-
Ger hre would not justify any one IN accusing them
~ PAD behavior. From the-ststements made to me
W LsL Bell and the line officers Of the 4th NJ H. /
" they are unanimous in the opinion that no regi-
ment could have done better than they did under the
seEsre IRE to which they we're exposed.
Aapt Langdon, OF tie lst United States Artillery
nose batteries we're supported by the 55th previous
= the Enth as well during that day, confirms the
pnion OF me foregoing officers and, in his our own
%nguage, made the gtatment sT wish for no better
iNskiHsns 2 support n3 battery thanthe 66th Pa Il
SaA 1he lo0scf Killed, wounded, and missing OF