Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-12-09

sey and 55th Pennsylvania regiments, commanded
by Gen Stannard, as brave and good an Offices as
ever led troops We embarked at Bermuda Hun
dred and on the morning of the 3oth our regt land
ed at West Point, and marchtd to White House
Landing on the Pamunkey river. On the slst we
drew an additional supply for our hayersacks and
started for Cold Harbor. The march was hard
one The route was strewn with oyercoats, wooden
blankets, and extra clothing of every description
the men becoming fatgned threw away these articles
TO tighten their burden. About midnight we big-
ouacked along the road, having continued the march
until became necessary to halt and allow the troops
to rest Early on the 1st of June the march was re-
sumed. The day was very hot In the afternoon
we came up with the trains Of the Army of the
Potomac Further on we came up with the 9Th
corps. At length our ears were greeted by the
thunder of artillery which indicated what was going
on in front About FIVE O. clock we heard the FIRE Of
the skirmishers, the engagement having commenced.
We pushed rapidly forward. At dark the action
ceased The enemy lost heavily in prisoners. On
the night of the I'd the regt. was depIoyed along
road amidst drenching ran for the purpose of pro-
tecting wagon train passing thatway. Early upon
the Sd we went the 'double quick' across corn
field. Our ranks were thinned with fearful rapidty
but the survivors seemed not heed the loss of their
comrades so desperate was the conflict. Having
gone far enough to accomplish the object of the
moYe-the advance of the right to straghten the
line-we halted, lay down, and opened Ere, that
seemed to cool the ardor of the enemy, and held all
the ground gained This advance was made in FIVE
minutes, but proved fatal to many The loss in en-
listed men was 80, killed and wounded, Many were
borne away with lacerated limbs from this, their last
field, death having ended their suferngs. Capt John
A. Livingston, Co. III, and It, Bleaney Adair, Co.
T, were wounded It, James Fl, Miller, Co. H,
was wounded slightly, but did not leave the feld.-
Shortly after this engagement Gen. Stannard was
put in command of the 1st division. The remainder
of the time we were in front of Petersburg the du-
ties were arduous. An ineessant fire was kept up
by both parties, upon the skirmish lines Night and
day nissels of larger dimensions were thrown from
field pieces and mortars. The 18th corps was pres
ent in reserve at the sprnging of the mne the 3Oth
of July in front of the 9th corps. On the 25th of
August we were relieved by the 10th corps and came
to the north side of the Appomattox encamped near
the spot we occupied upon first arriving here in May,
at the location indefinitely termed ''near Bermuda
Hundred Here we enjoyed a shortseason OF rest.
The brigade was changed while here. The three
Massachusetts regiments and the 9th New jersey
went to North Carolina thus leaving our regt alone,
the seth New ork was taken out some time before.
After the enemy made the raid upon Union line
stock our regt again went to the south side of the
Appomattox, guard against any further incursions
of the kind. On the 2Sth of Sept. we returned to
the north side and commenced fitting up our camp.
Here the 148th and 15Sth New York Vols. were bri-
gaded with us; Colonel, since Breyet Brig Gen. j.
Jourdan, Of the 15sth, commanding. Orders came
to be ready to march at o'clock, A. NJ, the 29th.
We we're relieved and marched back, expecting an
opportunity to partake of soldier breakfast. We
halted few minutes, and the boys addressed them
selves to making coffee, the sine qua for meal
in the army. We were soon called to attention and
marched towards the front; heavy firing commenced
early and we knew what was coming. We were soon
upon the field. Our brigade sent forward and
became engaged quite early. The enemy was driv-
en- from two lines Of intrenchments, and charge
ordered upon the third. This line consisted of sew
eral redoubts connected by breastworks. The charge
was gallantly made by our brigade but was unsuc-
cessful the enemy being too strong for the assaling
column Capt Shearer, whilst gallanty leading the
regiment was struck in the shoulder by mimic ball.
and was compelled to leave the field. The command
then devolyed upon Capt j. S. Nesbit. This officer
was nobly pressing forward unconscious of the
wound received by Capt. Shearer and his absence
from the field. The troops continued to advance
until ordered to fall back short distance, and hold
the ground that had been gained. This was done in
good order Capt. Nesbit's clothing was pierced by
several balls yet he was unhurt. As soon as he be-
Al Al 7 j
he assumed control, and was giving directions to
those around him, when he was severely wounded.
Capt Geo. III. Hill then took command The enc.
my kept up fire of musketry and artillery through
out the day, most however passing over us. Gen.
Stannard received musked ball in the leg but did
not leave the field until dark when the brigade was
relieved and marched into the ntrenchments. The
regt lost heavily in this engagement, being exposed
to CALLING fire from early in the morning until dark.
We remained in the intrenchments until our troops
abandoned Cold Harbor, which done the 18th and
18th Our regt was the last of the brigade to leave
the PITTS the General having selected it for the rear
guard At2 o'clock A. NJ. the 18th, we quietly
marched out of the intrenchments and left the spot
which proved final resting place for number of
our comrades We marched to White House Land
anu tllat GFShlus tAc abeaIiiSt EAe1
Port" The evening of the 18th we landed at Point
of Rocks, on the north side of the Appomattox,
drew rations, and were ordered be ready to march
at 2 clock a. NJ. next day. Early on the 18th
we were on our way toward Petersburg. The enc
my picets were encountered about y o clock and
driven in. We pushed forward and soon found our
selves in front of strong work. upon high bluff,
from which fire of grape and canister was opened
upon us. The troops upon our left had more of a
circuit to PERFORM and were not yet up to cooperate
with us against these works. Accordingly we halted
and awaited the arrival of Brooks llstl division.
Gen. Martindale commanded ours. The enemy kept
up an irregular fire all day. doing some damage, but
his practice was poor, many shots falling far off the
mark this was greatly in our favor About O'Clock
every thing was ready for another attack, the troops
upon the left having swung around, and batteries