Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-06-08
TOWANDA, BRADFORD COUNTY, PA, JUNE 8, 1865.

| (fortified,) capturing or killing the most OF
them advancing rapidly until we reached d
the obstructions in front of the enemy's
forts halted to remove them, the Pioneers
working with a will and the officers and
men assisting in removing them, III the
! mean time being exposed to murderous
fire of grape and canister and musketry at
short range, the men and officers falling on
every side the distinctions having been
removed, the men pressed forward plunged
through the bitches filled with water,
| climbed the ramparts, and in a few mo-
ments were in the enemy's works engaged
in hand to hand contest, the 205th and
2llth coming gallantly forward and assist
ing. The enemy was steadily driven back,
and three of their forts were at once occu-
pied by our troops and held several guns
captured which were soon turned upon the
enemy while retreating, doing good eXecu-
ton. Nearly thousand prisoners were
captured the fighting continued incess-
emily all day, the enemy Immediately turn
ing all their guns from their rear works
upon our troops, now occupying their
lost works by great eXertions gunners
were procured from Fort Sedgwick who
soon turned the cnemy's guns upon their
rear works with gosd execution, checking
the enemy's fire, thus enabling our troops
to hold their position. Eight unsuccessful
charges were made during the day to re-
capture the forts and were repulsed each
time with great slaughter, the eighth charge
was partially successful, the men holding
the left getting out of ammunition, were tenn
porarily thrown into confusion and were on
the eve of losing the ground and forts thus
taken the right Of the line unfinchingly
held their ground until reinlorcements az
rived, when the line was at once reestab-
lished, the enemy abandoned all further
hopes of retaking the works.
This battle may justly be considered the
most sanguinary during the war, and re-
suited in the overthrow of the enemy at
this point. might mention innumcrable
instances Of personal daring and bravery
of officers and men but the space allotted
here would not permit, but suffice to say
the brave boys (the rank and fle) of Co.
B, have their full share Of honor awarded
them Lit. A. r. Case, lst Lieut. of Co. B,
reached the ramparts of the fort and while
in the act of cheering the men forward,
fell pierced through the brain. Capt Jas
\. Carothers, Co. |, lst Lit. Dodd of same
company also fell mortally wounded while
leading their men forward and encouraging
them by their heroic example. "All honor
to the fallen heroes" Many other officers
were wounded; the loss of the regiment
amounted to over two hundred in killed
and wounded. Our noble Colonel, R. c.
Cox, having command of the Brigade the
most of the time, he was always in front
and where the bullets few the thickest, he
was found directing the battle and encour-
aging the men, and to him belongs the
honor of the great success. However,
will not forget to speak of the services
rendered by the 205th and 2llth Regt's,
p v, commanded by the gallant Col L. A.
Dodd and Major Mauret-of individual SER
vices of other officers and men the space
allotted here will not permit to speak of, it
is but due to them to say that all endeav
ored to perform their duty and are rejoic-
ing in the glorious victory.
On the morning of the Sd Of April, the
whole line advanced, swept everything be-
fore them and entered Petersburg in tri-
umph resting a short time we returned to
our old camp and eat hearty meal, the
first for nearly forty-eight hours, dropped a
few tears to the memory of the absent
ones, packed up and marched about ten
miles in pursuit of the enemy and en-
camped, when the command was soon
wrapped in their blankets, seeking their
rest for the night all 50 greatly needed.
Thus ends a soldiers experience of two
days / have the honor to be your obedi-
ent servent j. A. RODGERS,
Capt Co., B, 207th p. V.