The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-05-27
MAY a., 1864.
CORRESPONDENCE.
CAMP lsr AIx. CAVALRY.

CAMP lsr Me-. CAVALRY,
NEAR HAnRIsoN's LANDING, May IS, 1854. )
FRIEND BurLrR: Thinking few lines from
us now might DO interesting TO your readers,
will try to give, very briefly, an account Of the
eight days fighting and marching Of this rsgi-
ment and Its casualties. as near a. can.
On Wednesday, May 4th, at daylight, We
crossed the Rapidan river at Ely's Ford and
marched to the cross roads. three miles beyond
Chancellorsvillc; next day tho regiment alone
made reconnaissance to Fredericksburg and
ascertained that no enemy Was there then We
marched to Todd's Tavern, on the road to Spott-
sylvania Court House, where We met the enc
my and skirmished lightly that day and the
next, keeping them in check until reinforce
ments came up. On the 7th We marched out
and gave them battle. They msneuvrei cum.
ningly to get in our rear, but undiscovered the
trick in season to fall back TO very strong po-
stion, where We punished them severely. hav.
ing but q few men wounded In the regiment,
two Of whom belonged to my oompony-John
F. Lord Of WATERFORD, left eye shot out, and
John H. Goodrich. Alfred, In right shoulder
slightly. Next day We advanced on them again,
and after much skirmishng and msneuvrine
our regiment, the Cd Pa. and 10th N. Y, dis.
mounted and made one Of the most splendid
charges through very largo piece Of timber
that I have ever seen. We routed them com.
pletely and they left. In this charge We had
but few men wounded; We killed two or three
and took some prisoners. John p. Stiles oil
shapleigh, in my company, was shot through
the thigh.
One corps of infantry was now with US and
all the cavalry corps, and on the morning oi
the 9th the cavalry corps, under Gen. Sheridan,
started on o raid in the enemys's rear and to-
ward Richmond. We passed down the Freder-
icksburg pike to the heights, and then Of to the
left Of Charlottesville, skirmishing with the
enemy's cavalry all the way. Our division
halted for the night at the North Anna river !;
the lst division went on to Beaver Dam Station,
burning two engines, three trains Of cars and .
large quantity Of stores and arms for the rebel
army, and rccapturing three hundred Of our In.
fantry with their guard Of one hundred, That
night .hc enemy brought up two pieces Of ar
tillery. and at daylight they ran them right up
and sounded reveillo for us In rather an un-
pleasant manner but 1t was very short, for We
were soon mounted and captured both pieces.
The next day our regiment had the advance and
some very brisk skirmishing at one place tho
enemy made spirited resistance, wouudlng
Lieut.. Col. Boothby very severely In the right
arm. and wounding several Of Co. g but o
charge was made and wo so scattered them that
they didn't trouble US again that day. That
night We halted at Louisa Church, fourteen
miles from Richmond, and next morning our
regiment was ordered TO take the rear. I was
ordered to take one battalion and picket the
rear towards Ground Squirrel Bridge until the
column was well out, but had not long to pick
ct, for met the enemy advancing on US In line
ofbattle. Iquickly reported It to Col. Smith.
and threw out skirmishers to meet them. had
hardly time to get the men In position ere they
were upon us and poured deadly volley into
Capt. Halls Co. H, killing one and wounding
several Col. Smith soon came up with the rest
of the regiment, and oil were dismounted but
every fourth man, and st It We went They
were determined not to be stopped, but when
the lst Maine gets dlsmounted and In the woods
they are at home and are hard to be driven |;
but the main column having advanced, we were
ordered to follow. The 10th N. Y. was ordered
out to support US and help us to retire. but
when they saw our men, who were all dismount-
cd, coming out Of the woods quickly, and the
enemy after us yelling and shooting, they
thought VIC were being whipped, and they broke
and ran like towards. This lct US In very
critical position indeed, and In danger OF being
all gobbled up together, for as soon As tho enc
my saw our support running and our men
all dismounted and In an open field, they
charged on US with the greatest fury you can
imagine, and mono but tried soldiers and vetcr-
ans could have saved themselves. II was the
most dreadful moment Of my nearly three years
experience in war, and can hardly sec how
any of US escaped to tell the tale. As soon a.
some Of the men were mounted, my company
being in the advance, threw them right for
ward on to the enemy, as II were, and dread.
full work commenced. Col. Smith, with the
bravery of o lion, ordered charge with the
rest of the regiment, and led the way himself !;
but unfortunately, not oil the companies under
standing that they were to charge. only tho hrst
line Of two companies did SO, companies L and
NJ. saw in moment hc would bs repulscd
with 90 small number, and sent Ssrgt. Willis,
Of my company, to order the next line TO charge
quickly but, poor fellow, think he must
have been shot, for no order reached them to
charge, and he has not been seen since.
AsI expected, tho Col. was rspulssd with bis
little party, but not till he had smptied two pis-
tolls among them, and many lay bleeding and
dying. Capt. Vaughn, Co. NJ, never came out
and what his fate was no one knew. but - no
was very brave man Il is supposed hs fought
till no was killed. The Col. had bis horse
wounded In two places, and MAJ. Thsxter, whom
I forgot to mention charged with them, had his
horse killed under him and ws had 70 rally I'M
der terrific fre To save him. My company.
which Was dsployed - skirmishers, and light
ing 30 terribly when the COL charged, also
charged With him and suffered most ssvsrsly.
My brother, ssrgt. Q. NJ. Chsdbourns, was
mortally wounded, shot through the bowels.
and lcit on the field, but not until . most dss.
psrate effort was made 10 save him. for all
loved him as brother. hs was 20 noble. gone
rous and brave. Sergt. Hill. his msssmsts, |