Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-07-08
HEADQUARTERS Born REG. r. P
In FRoSr or PErERsBuRG, VA.
June Is, 1861.

Mr.. EDIToR:
Thinking short communication from this quarter
might interest some Of the readers Of your valuable
paper and more especially those who have friends in
this regiments shall give short sketch Of the oper
ations Of the regiment since our return from Cold
Harbor We reached Point Of Rocks on the Apo
nlattox on the evening of June, 18th. After landing
and taking supper, we spread our tents upon the
ground, and covering ourselves with our Indian
Der blankets we were soon enwrapt that sweet re-
nose which none knows better how to appreciate
than the weary soldier.
At2 o'clock A. NJ, June 18th we received orders
to be ready to move at moments notice. At day
light we took up the line of march crossing on the
Pontoons to the south side of the river and moving
in the direction of Petersburg. Onr Division, the
md moved direct toward Petersburg, while the first
moved off to the left The object Of thswas not then
understood BY u.s. but was aft erwards fully and salts
/ factorily developed. Skrmishers we're thrown out
and we moved forward slowly and cautiously our
| Brigade taking the advance. We came up with the
enen,y's skirmishers at O clock A. H., and drove
tbem about two miles, or until we we're within range
of the enemys batteries and in sight of Petersburg
Here we halted and lay in line Of battle until near
| sundown. when the First Division commanded by
Brig Gen. Brooks came around our left and aanking
the euemy's right, drove them from their works
The whole Of their first line then in our posses
sion. Fifteen pieces of artillery, two hundred and
fourteen Prisoners together with three four coors
and quite = number Of ANAL arms were captured
Night SEQ in aud all the troops Of the 18th Corps
Bivouacked for the night except the 50 T v and
! the 23rd Mass Vols, which were dep,oyed in front
Of our lines as piekets The next day Jupe 10th,
| everything was quiet until near snndown when we
received the order to advance and engage the enemy
We rao9ed forward until within two hundred yards
the enemy second line Of works and held our posi-
ton under heavy fire till 10 o'clock NJ, when
we were Withdrawn and dwent into camp for the night
The 2nd Division rested on the 17th On the night
Of the 18th the enemy evacuated his End line our
front and left
AT early dawn on the 18th we again received or
ders to advance But orders come generally few
hours previous to moving. So was this time; we
did not ret started till about clock A. NJ, moved
slowly' and halted at intervals sti following our
skirmishers and still looking for decisive orders
Such orders came at last we were ordered forward
in a charge under the most terrific ire Our brave
boys fell thick and fast, but they still pushed stub
borngy on, and established new line nearly guar
ter Of a mile nearer Petersburg. Here despite the
heavy fire of the enemy, We went to work and en-
trenehed ourselves and held the position. The loss
of the 55th in thar charge alone 95. The other
regiments engaged suffered proportionally At day
light the next morning June 10Th we were relieved
by fresh troops aud moved back to the End line
where we remained until O'Clock P. NJ, when we
marched back across the Appomattox and rested on
the goth On the 21st we reerossed the river aid
moved up to the front where the regiment Is still ly-
ing. Nothing of Importance going on ia front now.
We are in full view of Petersburg. The City is ct
our mercy, and could be blown to atoms BY our bat
teries but Gen. Grants object does not seem to be
to destroy, but to capture.
Enclosed send yon a list of the Causialities Of
Co. II. since coming to Virginia and also eongrat-
ulasng order issued by Gen. Stannard, Previous to
his taking leave of this Brigade take command Of
! the Eirst Division.
Yours &C.,
| JAS. II. MILLER