The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-05-03


the birds, Gas designed, had flown, Rich
mond was evacuated, and we all flew
after them. We pressed on fast, only
pausing to rest little and pick up the
dcserting Johnnies, of which the woods
were full. The road we travelled was the
one the main cody Of the enemy moved
upon, and his route was marked by great
numbers of his horses and mules dead
along the road, and great quantities OF
accouterments which his tired aud de-
serting soldiers had thrown away. The
roads too were strewn with tobacco for
miles, mostly 10 leaf; enough and of a
quality to call out the admiration of the
most fastidious smoker and cheWer. Thus
We moved on in their immediate rear, the
cavalry trimming them on their flank
and taking large portion of their wagon
train, until the morning of the 9th of
April, when after marching two miles we
came up with them near little hamlet
called Dratonville, when commenced one
of the most singular running fights of
the whole war. 1t was the fortune of
this Brigade, and particularly of this
Regiment to take a conspicuous part in
it. The older portion of the Regiment,
(and many of the men date their service
from or near the commencement of the
war,) was recruited in Philadelphia, and
brave and devoted men they are. Our
Colonel. Biles, was wounded IN the action
Of the 25th of March, and We were led
by our senior Captain, Giller At them
we went following their skirmishers,
much of the time at a double quick and
always close on the enemies heels, until
he succeeded in planting his battery on
one OF the many high ridges the country
abopnds in. Here we were obliged to
pause for few minutes, when the COM
mand forward boys, charge them out" ;"
was given, and on we rushed. We had
to pass over one entire small ridge, across
a hollow, and up an extended slope to
their breastWorks. Nearly the whole
way We we're exposed to a CALLING fire of
shells and musketry, and many a brave
fellow was struck, particularly while pass.
ing over the last one hundred rods to
their outer line Of works. Our Regiment
was Immediately in the front Of these
works, Reaching these we paused
moment for breath exchanged few shots
aud rushed for partly demolished rail
fence, a few rods in advance, and giving
US better opportunity to dislodge them.
The Johnnys tried flank On our left
under cover of some buildings, but a few
vollies of our we'll directed muskets soon
convinced them that that was impracti.
cable, when with yell, such as has often
carried terror to Rebel breasts, We rushed
upon them, and succeeded in securing
their works and a large number of pri>
oners. They got away this time however
with their battery. Our loss was quite
heavy, but believe but one man from
Potter county was killed.
Our stay here was short We formed
our line again and soon encountered
their skirmishers. Being slightly ele.
waited above our skirmish line and badly
exposed, part Of the line delivered its fire
on the enemy, when fairly breaking from
all control several regiments, ours among
the foremost, rushed after the fying
Johunys, and 10 few minutes we had
their battery, its accompanying train and
quite a number more prisoners. Here,
after reforming we retired for little rest,
after most exciting chase of perhaps
six miles. We were close upon the main
portion of the enemies train, still left by
the cavalry. The right of our Division
took up the chase in our stead, and in the
evening He had the satisfaction of seeing
the whole of this train in our possession
with upwards of 5000 prisoners. I am
happy to say, that while all did well, the
new men, especially from Potter, were no
way behind their comrades, and were so
noticed and commended by our CON-
manding officers.
| should like so describe to you the
scene and contents Of the captured train,
but space will not permit. [ will only
say, that it appears that hoe cake aud not
hardtack appears to have been their
bread by the number of old fashioned
bake-kettles and spiders found there and
in their deserted camps. They would
number thousands in all.
The 7th we were in line nearly all day
with sharp skirnishing continually going
on, but Lee evidently declined giving
battle More of his train was DESTROYED
and the taking of prisoners had ceased
to excite any curiosity. Dead horses and
mules of their trains were lying along by
hundreds, cases of ammunition met the
eye everywhere, and burned caisons and
cannon with damaged carriages were to
be seen every fourth of mile. The
chief feature on the Sth was the coming
of vast numbers of Johnnys, and the sur