Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-05-27

IN CAMP NEAR y a., I
MAY II, 1864. !
DEAR INQUIRER:
Having few hours leisure time from the fatigues
of the march, and entrenchments, / wish to use
small space in your columns for the general inforna-
ton of the friends of fCompanyE, 10th p ", of Bed
ford as it is impossible for each to write to his own
people; and also, shall hereafter do, to give You
list of the casualties in Co from the late battles
we have fought in Virginia,
The 7eth Regiment sailed from Port Royal on the
Goth Of April and landed at Gloucester Point Va, on
the I'd inst, where the 18th Corps and the whole of
the 10th from South Carolina, had already been in
rendezvous. We lay in camp there until the night
of the 4th when all was ready; surplus baggage all
turned in, and sent to Norfolk for storage, taking
nothing in the field but shelter tents and the
sary ammunition, &C., we embarked and sailed for
City Point on the James river, while large force
marched up the Peninsula to West Point and White
House Station.
The expedition in force arrived at City Point Oh
the evening of the 9th and debarked during the night
and on the morning of the 9th both Army Corps un-
der Gen. Butler advanced in force toward the Rich
mond and Petersburg Rail Road. We halted and
entrenehed our position about four miles from the
Rail Road, without any opposition.
On the morning of the 7th Barton's Brigade of
the 10th and the right division of the 18th Corps, adj
vanced with but little opposition, until within mile
OF the Richmond and Petersburg Rail Road, when
Brigade of the enemy under Gen. Borden who we're
guarding the road engaged Gen. Burnham' brigade,
and severe action was kept up until Barton bri-
gade, on Burnhams right, pushed forward down
from the heights and when within 200 yards of the
R. R. emerged from the wood. The enemy turned
upon brigade and with two pieces of artillery,
from the high hills beyond, poured most fearful fire
upon us, as Burnham's brigade had halted on the
heights to shell them. ct with undaunted spirits
our brigade pushed forward, after crossing deep
mill race and amid deafening yes, planted regimen
tai coors on the road some fifteen minutes before
the 4sth and ll5th N. T., came up, and amid most
terrible fire fFom the nfuriated "Rebs we lay down
guns and taking hold of the ''ties" we uptnrned
the track for some 400 yards while Yank was up
each post of the telegraph cutting the wires, and
thus we cut off their rear communications complete
y while the of artillery told the excited enemy
that the Yankees and Butler were only nine miles in
rear Of Richmond.
We had a severe musketry fight with them, after
destroying the road, and pushed them back, when we
also fell back. Our whole loss is very slight. The
76th lost killed, SO wounded and missing Of Co.
Z Rone were killed Corporal Levi Agnew was Sc
verely wounded in the left fore arm, breaking the
unay Privates John Seader, severely in shoulder;
G. Caldwell, foot; Johnson shoulder; Semon, leg;
Preston Miller leg; Peterman, thigh
Their friends can rest assured that they are well
cared for, having been conveyed to City Point and
sent on a steamer to Fortress Monroe, none having
fallen into the hands of the enemy
Yesterday our cavalry advanced to within seven
miles of Petersburg and our forces on the right some
four miles beyond the Rail Road and destroyed the
road for some eight miles and hold their position
the centre having severe fight at the road with Nc
Gruders forces We advanced to within four miles
of Fort Darling the south side of James River and
shelled the woods in front, but met no resistance
We have secured our position by entrenching and
slashing the tmbers in front and can now operate
from protected base.
We have heavy force here, cavalry and artillery,
passing to the front by Divisions, having Just ar
rived We have also glorious accounts from the ar
my in front of Richmond and are in the most exalted
spirits.
All is quiett to-day in front except desultOry firing
Of artillery, but in few days we will be on the adj
again, and from every view of matters, we are
confident that in avery short time we shall have
dealt staggering blow to rebellion, and hope ere
long to meet the triumphant armies Of the north and
west in the city of Richmond
Our address is 18th Pa. Volunteers, Co. e, I'd Bri.
gade, I'd Division, 10th Army Corps, City Point Va.
III. RAWLINs,
Sergt Co. E.