Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-02-17
The Third Delaware.
Interesting Letter. from The Front.-BGnie
al Hatcher's Run.
Por the Journal Statesman.
HArcHER's Run, VA, Feb. 0, 1865.
Mr.. EDIToR:

FVf the Ieurhh stAtehmAn
HArcHER's RUN, VA, Feb. 0, 1865.
| Mr.. EDITOR:
Knowing that those hav.
ing friends and relatives in the Sd Della.
ware will be anxious to hear how we Jared
in the fight at Hatcher's Run on tho 5tll
of this month, will endeavor to give
them some information in regard to it
On Saturday evening, the 4th inst, We
received orders to be ready to move al
daylight next morning, and by sunrise
the 9th Corps was in motion, our Brigade
the Bird of Cd Division, in the advance.
We moved i'll o south-westerly direction,
bearing little to the west, but met with
no opposition from the enemy until we
reached Hatcher's Run, when tho Rebels
were found in strong force and well forti.
hed on the opposite side OF the creek,
which at this place was about forty feet
wide and from ten to twelve feet deep,
with steep bank running up from it, ON
the top of which the enemy had entrenched
himself. The order was given to cross
the creek and charge the works, which
was done in gallant style, some of the
men swimming the creek opposite the
works under a heavy fire, while others
went further up and crossed where the
water was not so deep; and in half an
hour from the time the order was given,
the works were in our possession, with
about thirty prisoners we then advanced
about three miles without meeting any
opposition (the enemy having fallen back
rapidly and halted for the night; but
about midnight we were ordered to again
take up our line Of march changing our
course, however, more to the left, bearing
on the enemy's right flank, we continued
to advance in this direction until about
8 O'Clock, A. NJ. when we relieved part
Of the second Corps who had thrown up
temporary works on piece of high
ground commanding the position, with
the creek in our rear; about noon heavy
skirmishing commenced and about 8 2.
| ID. the whole of the second Division was
formed in line Of battle and advanced on
the enemy on the double-quick, through a
thick woods, some parts of which was an
almost impossible swamp, we drove him
handsomely for about O mile, but owing
to the nature Of the ground offering so
many obstacles our lines became broken !;
we reformed and met the enemy who had
now formed in line of battle and was ad-
vancing in good order, but the boys sent
them back in disorder and followed them
for mile and half; our ammunition
now being nearly exhausted and our lines
somewhat broken by the obstacles en-
countered in the shape Of thick under
brush, swampE, &c, we were ordered TO
fall back part of the sixth corps COM
ing up to relieve us, when by some mex
cusable blunder, they opened fire on our
men killing and wounding several we
then fell back to the position we occupied
in the morning, and still occupy. Below
is a list Of killed, wounded aud missing of
our Regiment, / should state that our
Brigade is composed of the following
Regiments; 4th Del, l57th Pa, l90th
Pa, l9lst Pa, 3rd Del. and Cloth Pa,
in all about 1900 men, commanded by
Brevet Brig Gen. Gwin. The third has
fully sustained its reputation in this last
series Of engagements Our color bearer
was shot through the head and killed
instantly, falling on the flag and staining
it with his life's blood.
Names of the killed, wounded and
missing Of 9rd Del: Major James Il.
Baily supposed to be wounded and q
prisoner Manuel Eyre, Adjutant, slightly
wounded, William d. Sparks, I'd It.,
slightly wounded, John S. Booth, color
bearer, killed, Co. F.
John II. Ross, corporal, slightly woun-
ded, Co. G.
Samuel P. Jones, private. slightly
wounded, Co X,
Curtis Fleetwood, private, slightly
wounded, Co. A.
Daniel Hagar, private, severely woun-
ded, Co. E.
Samuel Abbott, private, severely woun-
ded, Co. A.
Edward Rossman, private, severely
wounded, Co. II.
Hugh Armstrong, private, severely
wounded, Co. c.
Jacob Hanna, private. severely woun.
ded, Co. G.
John Ackman, private, missing Co. A.
Frank Ennis, private, missing, Co. K.
George.Wilson, private, missing, Co. b.
VIM. Condor, private, missing, Co. @.
Alex. s. Dill, private, missing, Co. H.
John Algie, private, wounded, Co. /.
You must please excuse the manner in
which this is written, as we ore laying out
in the woods without tents or conyenien-
ces Of any kind. l am sitting on the
ground writing this with my knees for my
table, and had to beg the paper and
borrow the pencil. The weather is very
cold but the boys are cheerful. God
grant that this cruel war may soon BIZ
ended hoping that our friends at home
are enjoying the best of health.
remain yours fraternally,
L. J.. II.