Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-08-19

Y one' ana the loss on both sides serious tn
e army Vi burnside remained at Newburn nm
e I'll the conclusion of McClellap's d;sas,r,,,
9 campaign on the Peninsula, when larg,
t portion OF it was shipped to Newport New,
TO JON the Army of the Potomac.
Early IN August the force at Newnor,
news was transferred by transports to Acouia
; Creek and thence by railroad to Frederick
burg where Reno's Division arrived on the
4th OF that month. Here thev Joined the
army under Pope, and thence participate6
IN all the battles and skirmishes of his nm
fortunate campaign. The service duripo tho
three weeks of his command was ar5,ors -
'ne extreme. From Fredericksburg to the
oiu oattie ground of Bull Run the move
heh' was almost continuous struggle. and
when the second battle on that renowned Io-
cailty took place, Lol. Hartranft found him.
sell posted on almost the same ground that
ne mad fought upon in July of the preced;pg
year His regiment was posted on the lef,
OF the Centreville road protecting Graham's
battery, till the retreat commenced When
the brigade left the field it was divided one
regiment only marching with Gen, Ferero
Whlie the other two We're ordered bv ,po,bor
road under command of Col Hartranft n,
'his' as on the former occasion. when every
thlng was confusion, Col Hartranft remain
ed cool, collected and selfreliant Tn this |
action his iment lost eight killed and
wounded ard thirteen missing
Al fHaptill,,
ana again added new laurels to his fame
but these struggles did not overcome the
enemy Tired, toot-sore. and exhausted as
our men we're, they took up the line of
march once more, on the 18th of Sentembar
and Joined the march of the Grand Armv
again under Mcclellan, up through Mary
land to South Mountain and Antietau The
engagement of South Mountain, thonpb an ,
but prelude to the greater con q
test at tantietam, was distinct in its character c
1t was fought on Sunday, Sertember 14fb q
ind It's result transferred the grand battle 7
rom the little mountain pass to the banks of :,
he stream beyond i
colonel Hartranft commanded his regi II
aent as usual leading il tn the attaai- -...,
d bravery. That night our men occupied "
he important position they had carried, i,
Ieeping on the summit of the hill, whence r
he ground sloped away to the valley of the :, =,
Antietam.
Two days occupied in short movements. :;
nd the morning of "Wednesday, September =;
7th, found our army confronting the rebel
Snnn - ,,tra,;l HnnI-ar h,
ight, was engaged. Or the left Burnside !,
'aited orders till nearly noon, and then was T
irected to storm the enemy's position on :,
he opposite bank of the stream, crossing
is men over the narrow stone bridge that
panned the creek in his front. The posi- ;,
ion occupied by the rebels was one of won a.
erful natural strength. The road on the :.
last bank wound up near the stream ;,
Or some distance before reaching the =
ridge, and troops marching on it at this a
oint were exposed to a terrible flank fire.
IN crossing the bridge it met au abrupt IL
teep bank, and DETECTED. nearly at right k
ngles, up and down the West bank The al
ridge was therefore entirely commanded by r;
he rebels. They had had ample time for b.
reparation, and their artillery were posted Il
0 sweep the causeway from end TO end, "
1hiie the rife men, screened from view be al
ind trees and rocks, or in well prepared n
ifle pits, waited the attack, to open most s,
fire. Thus posted were the en- Il
my. h
But the orders came to Take the Bridge" Fl
1t about II o clock Burnside ordered an at r;
ack First two regiments essayed 10 cross b
his bridge of death. They struggled for a
-ard little distance, terribly cut up by the n
re in the flank, paused, staggered and came l.
ack. 1t seemed impossible that mortal b
len could cross 10y so terrible a path and =
We Again the attempt was III ade by fresh
roops, and again they were repulsed by the a
errible fire. c.
Still the bridge must be taken.
Then General FeTrero rode up TO Hart
anft, who lay with his regiment behind
noll shoro distance from the stream, and
aid to him "Gen. Burnside directs you to
axe your regiment, and cross the bridge. :
Iartranft never questioned the orders of his .
uperiors. 1t was his rule always to obey.
Amid the cheer of his own men, and the 4
houts of all those who witnessed the at :,
empt, he led forward his regiment, alone. :,
nd unsupported. Avoiding the unshelter h
d road below the bridge. they reached the =
wing walls of the structure, and lay a few :,
skirmi>hing holding the ground :,
lie gained. A regiment was hurried up to e
upport them, but the situation was terri
lie one On all sides men and officers were {
alling. Capt. Bolton, of Hlrtranft regi- s.
nent, was shot through the cheeks. Two Il
,ther officers were killed. Hartranft led his C
men to the charge. and they dashed gallant "
Y into the storm of leadcn hail. Lieut.. Col. I.
Bell fell mortally wounded the little stream u
II heroes were feariully thinned as they e
struggled forward, but by words and exam
pie Hartranft urged them on-The Bridge T
vas carried >
That night, as his men lay on the ground e
hey had won Hartranft went through the t,
-ecimeut and took the names of all those / r