The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-09-30
COL. DEM. $50 VOL. XXXIV.. NO. 80

men, much TO the chagrln OF the rebel COM
mander. "Our troops" says Lieutenant
Brockway, had safely re.crossed Bull Run,
and | then understood that it was intended
that We should hold the hill until killed or
captured, while the balance of the army re-
treated behind Bull Run. 1t was some con.
ISOLATION to know that the ruse had succeeded
and, as / afterwards learned, while oursolita.
ry gun was booming from the Henry House,
the Bucktails were cutting down the bridge
across Bull Run"
Lieut.. Brockway, with the other officers
captured was marched on foot to the Rapidan
River and from thence was conveyed to
Libby Prison as one of Popc's fclons, where
he remained until exchanged. He was
prisoner when Antietam was fought, and it
was the only engagement of the war he miss
ed in which his Battery participated. At
Fredericksburg it held an important position,
covering the lower pontoon bridge, and was
subject to heavy fire.
OF the Companys participation in the
Charlottesville fight, Bates, in his history,
says
On the evening of Sunday, the day on
which the heaviest fighting occurred Bat
terry Frelievcd Seeley's regular battery which
had lost in the days work fifty men and as
many horses. The enemy's line was only
two hundred and fifty yards distant. Cap
tain Ricketts, was ordered to hold the posi-
ton at all hazards. The horses were, accor
dinghy, sent away to the rear, and the crane
and canister was silently piled at the muz-
zles of the pieces, other ammunition being
OF little avail in so close quarters. At ten
O'Clock p. M, our pickets were driven in and
the guns were double shotted. For little
time perfect storm Of bullets were show
cred upon the battery by the enemys infant
ry; but the canister, which was poured forth
In almost continuous stream, was too terri.
bic for them to withstand Several times
during the night the rebels advanced, but
could not be induced to charge up to the
muzzles Of the guns. On the same night our
infantry threw up breastworks, and on the
following day, Monday, reconnaissance by
Grltiin Division disclosed the fact that the
enemy was heavily cntrenchcd and awaiting
an attack, Throughout the entire day."
says Lieutenant Brock way I'VE were annoy
cd by their sharp-shootors. General Wbip-
pie was shot by one of them close to our
battery. Some of Berdan's sharp.shooters
routed them, except one persistent fellow
stationed behind large tree in the forks of
which he rested his rifle. He put six bullets
in the saplng which covered one of Ber-
dams men. lie was finally shot by setting
three men to work at him. On his person
was found forty-eight dollars in gold two
hundred in greenbacks, fifty in confederate
money and three packs Of cards. \
At ten O'Clock at night the enemp advanced
in strong columns, and peal upon peal of
musketry ing out upon the still night air.
The 'zit, 'zit,' of the MIME balls, and their
'thud,' 'thud, in the ground, was inter-
Sperscd with yells and cheers from friend and
foe. Again the enemy retired. The next
morning they advanced in heavier columns
and one continued roar was kept up, from
muskcts, s,rifles Napoleon, Parrot and Regula-
ton guns. The rounds of double shottcd
canister ratified among them and finally com
PEELED them to retire" During the night
the army withdrew to the north bank of the
river.
Heretofore the Battery had operated with
the First Corps, but it was now transferred
to the Reserve Artillery, and with it marched
to Gettysburg. OF this fight, Bates says -
''On the afternoon Of July ID it arrived up
on the Gettysburg battle ground, and was
brought into position in front of
the Cemetery gate to the north of the Balti-
more Pike, relieving Cooper's battery.
Scarcely had it wheeled into position, when
It became engaged with the enemy's artil-
ery posted on Benner's Hill, across Rock
Greek, and opposite VOLTS Hill. His guns
we're siIenced, but while engaged, heavy
column of his infantry crossed Rock Creek,
md was advancing on Wadsworth's position.
A few rounds of shrapnel! threw it into confu-
'lon' and compelled it to make a long circuit
% reach its destination. Just at dusk, while
yet shelling this column, line of infantry
'eachng from Gettysburg to near Rock
Crcck, emerged from behind small knoll |
south OF the BOnnaughtown Road, where it |
lad secretly and silently formed, and ad-
'anced with the apparent intention OF Joining |
in the attack on Wadsworth, away to the |
right. SO quietly had this powerful division
been formed and moved forward, that it was |
hardly noticed until it was in motion in full
new, The artillery opened upon it with shot
md shell; when suddenly, as if upon parade,
changed front to the right, and with deaf.
ming yells charged full upon Cemetery Hill.
t was the famous charge of the Louisiana
Tigers, led by Hayes and Hokc.
The battery here occupied an exposed po-
itlon, which commanded the whole field.
Japtain Ricketts, had been advised that the
nemy would doubtless make desperate eff.
orts to take it, and was ordered to hold it to
he last extremity. lie had, accordingly, sent
lis horses well to the rear, but had his cais-
ons harnesSed and ready to move upon the
instant Of warning, As soon as he dscov-
red that this compact and desperate rebel
oIumn was moving upon his position, he
harged his pieces with canister and poured
n the deadly voleys, four discharges per
linute, throwing five hundred pounds of
eadly missiles full in the faces of the foe.
'ut these desperate men had never failed in
charge, and nothing daunted, they closed
p whore their line was blown away, and
ushcd forward with dcafening yells. The {
llantry supports lying behind the stone wall /
! front, fed in despair, and the battery on
he left with its supports was overwhelmed
he batteries on the right were 50 posted
nat they could not fire after the enemy he.
an to ascend the hill. The brunt of the
tack therefore fell upon Ricketts, But he
ell knew that the heart of the whole army
as throbbing for him in that desperate
our, and how much the enemy coveted the
rize for which he was making so desperate