Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-06-20
The seventeenth Va. Reriment.

The book, entitled the "History of tie Sew
ente2nth Virgiuis Iufantry,'' from which, til,
following is an extract, is now in press, and WI
be ready for issue in faw weeks, Subscriprior
list to be found at the Office of Wise T. TO.
81 King street. Price 81 IS per copy.
| Extract from the History of the 18th Virginia
Infantry
Early the following morning, Sunday 3lst
our Division marched forward and took the Sud.
Icy Mills road crossing at the iold, and vent into
blv0uac Tor the night on the opposite bank OF
Bull Kun. Our breakfast thai morning cOnsis
ted OF beef, sliced off by US as we hurredy
passed the smoking carcass, slaughtered by the
enemy short time previous
Ratlons issued to US Oh Sunday evening" at
Sudley, consisted of two crackers and about
one fourth OF pound Of bacon to each man.
On Monday the march was continued as We
neared Chantil y, Ia long name for a small
post Office heavy thunder storm overlook
uS; soaking every man to the skim
Having scarcely tast ted food since the morn.
ing previous, it is unnecessary to say, We were
getting hungry, but we comfortcd ourselves
with the hope of being soon oyertaken by the
wagons, which, to our minds, then seemed as
desirable as anything that could happen. A
fight occurred, just before our arrival, in the
valley below Chantilly, in which Generals
Kearney, Zone OF the best and bravcst men in
the Federal army,) and-tname torgotten,)
lost their lives.
We moved into q meadow on tho right OF
the turnpike and prepared for good nights
rest. But alas for human hopes We kindled
fires, and were in the act of drying our wet
garments, when the order came to move the
ISr,n In IL (
woodland not'far off, on our right, we entered
We moved through the impenetrable darkness
march, and after going about mile We halted,
and took position as reserve, supposing our
selves about fifty yards in rear of our line.
Imagine our astonishment, as the tedious
dragging night at last gave way to the coming
morning, 10 find ourselves facing our pckets.
aud between them and the enemy Front to
rear was soon ordered and We had the satisfac
ton of hearing that Our fee had left US during
the night.
Fires were soon blazing in our midst, to the
no small enjoyment OF our rather fororn look.
ing band, who refreshed themselves for ut
least an hour, chewing the substance from the
sassafras twigs
Returning to the meadow where The fires
had been vainly kindled the evening previous,
the unweIcome tidings 1.-The wagons hav' Mt
come - greeted US on all sides, so We raised
our flies and sought forgctfulness in slumbcr
In she afternoon wagop-load of provisions
arrived as u present to the members Of
Company G., from the ladies Of their native |
place, the good old town OF Leesburg. The
Of bread, hams, cakes, pickles and |
other delicious edibIes. Was sight productive
II iudescrihable feeling to men who had not
lasted food for49 long hours.
Company &, composed Of noblo, generous
spirits, were not long 10 extending 10 the Reg.
ment whole soucd invitation to partake
With them OF the uxuries. A second invitation
vas not Necessary, as We most promptly accep.
ed and joined them in the feast, and such a
east Who can forget it ? There was even
1a aojne to wash our dinner down now judge
f it was not FEAST Can any one wonder
hat under the circumstances we review it ns
ne of the happiest cras in our soldier lie.
~ all /