The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1868-08-20

a success in the initial contest of the cam
paign were excellent.
The rebel Notifications at Newbern
were attacked and carried on the 18th of
March, and here again Colonel Hartranft
bore conspicuous part. The contest was
severe one, and the loss on both sides
serious. The army of Burnside remained
! at Newbern until the conclusion of NJ
Clellan's disastrous campaign on the Pen
insula, when large portion of 1t was
shipped to Newport News, to join the
Army of the Potomac
Early in August the force at Newport
News was transferred by transports to
Acquia Creek, and thence by railroad to.
Fredericksburg. where ReRe's nivisiefz
arrived on the 4th of that month. Here
they joined the army under Pope, and
thence participated in all the battles and
| skirmishes of his unfortunate campaign.
The service during the three weeks of his
command was arduous in the extreme
From Fredericksburg to the old battle
ground of Bull Run the movement was
almost continuous struggle, and when the
second battle on that renowned locality
took place, Col. Hartranft found himself
posted on almost the same ground that he
had fought upon in July of the preceding
year. His regiment was posted on the
left Of the Centerville road, protecting
Graham's battery, till the retreat COM
menced. When the brigade left the field
it was divided, one regiment only march
ing with Gen Ferero, while the other two
were ordered by another road under COM
mand of Col Hartranft. On this, as on
the former occasion, when everything was
confusion, Col. Hartranft remained cool,
collected and self-reliant In this action
his regiment lost eight killed and wounded
and thirteen missing.
Again at Chantilly Hartranft met the
enemy, and again added new laurels to his
fame. But these struggles did not over
| come the enemy. Tired, footsore and ex-
hausted as our men were, they took up the
line of march once more, on the 9TH of
September, and joined the march of the
Grand Army again Under Mcclellan, up
through Maryland to South Mountain and
Antietam. The engagement OF South
Mountain, though apparently but pre-
lude to the greater contest of Antctam,
was distinct In its character. 1t was fought
Oh Sunday, September l4th, ana ;t5 result
transferred the grand battle from the little
mountain pass to the banks of the stream
beyond.
Colonel Hartranft commanded his regi-
ment as usual, leading it to the attack up
the side Of the mountain with his accus-
toned bravery. That night our men oc-
cupled the important position they had
carried, sleeping on the summit of the
hill, whence the ground sloped away to
the valley of the Antetam
| Two days occupied in short movements,
and the morning Of Wednesday, Septem-
Der 18th, found our army confronting the
rebel host Soon the intrepid Hooker, on
the right, was engaged. On the left Burn
side waited orders till nearly noon, and
then was directed to storm the enemy's
position on the opposite bank Of the stream,
crossing his men over the narrow stone
bridge that spanned the creek in his front
The position occupied by the rebels was
one of wonderful natural strength The
road on the East bank wound up near the
stream for some distance before reaching
the bridge, and troops marching on it at
this point were exposed to terrible flank
fire. On crossing the bridge it met an alb
rupt steep bank, and detected nearly at
right angles, up and down the West bank
The bridge was therefore entirely COM
ample time for preparation, and their ar
tlllery was posted to sweep the causeway
from end to end, while the rifemen.
screened from view behind trees and rocks,
or in well prepared rife pits, waited the
attack, to open a most destructive fire
Thus posted were the enemy
But the orders came to 'Take the
Bridge" AT about II O'Clock Burnside
ordered an attack. First two regiments
essayed to cross this bridge of DEATH
They struggled forward little. distance,
terribly cut up by the fire in flank, paus-
ed, staggered, and came back 1t seemed
impossible that mortal men could cross by
so terrible path and live, Again the
attempt was made by fresh troops, and
again they were repulsed by the terrible
fire. Still the bridge must be taken.
Then General Ferrero rode up to Har-
tranft, who lay with his regiment behind
a knoll short distance from the stream.
and said to him, General Burnside directs
you to take your regiment and cross the
bridge" Amid the cheers of his own reg
iment, and the shouts Of those who wit
messed the attempt, Hartranft led forward
his regiment, alone, and unsupported
Avoiding the unsheltered road below the
bridge, they reached the wing walls of the
structure, and lay few moments skir-
mishing, holding the ground thus gained
A regiment was hurried up to support
them, but the situation was a terrible one
On all sides men and officers were falling
Hartranft led his men to the charge, and
they dashed gallantly into the storm OF
leaden hail The little stream of heroes
were fearfully thinned as they struggled