Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1871-07-07

from the Richmond Wing of July, 1863
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We have been handed the following letter
from private j. Arthur Taylor, Sd, Company
F. 9Th Regiment, La. Vols, to his father, w.
Fl. S. Taylor, Esq, Second Auditor of the
Confederate States.
Private Taylor volunteered when he was
sixteen years old has been in constant service
with the Army of the Potomac over two years;
has been wounded five times, and has been in
thirty five battles, besides skirmishes
CAMP NEAR HAGERsTowN, Nd,
July 9th, 1868.
MY DEAR FATHER:
You no doubt wonder at my long silence,
but, believe me, it was no fault Of mine, for
we have been almost constantly on the march
since we crossed the Potomac. As you know,
we have invaded the enemy's country and
fought desperate battle on bis soil. When
we entered Pennsylvania we found every one
in the greatest state of excitement. The first
day in Yankeedom, we passed through the
town of Waynesboro, and it was right touch
ing to see how frightened the women were
some could be seen crying and wringing their
hands, while others could be seen at distance,
standing in crowds looking at US with every
appearance of fear, very much in the same
manner as the wild beeves of Louisiana gather
round person creeping through the grass in
hunting ducks.
We camped near the town and some of the
boys were soon in the country in search of
something to eat, in which they were very
successful, for the people were so frightened
they told the boys they might have every
thing they had if they would only not destroy
their property. 1t seems they were told by
the authorities of the State that If ever we
came over there we would burn everything
we could lay our hands on.
cannot tell you the exact route that we
took through Pennsylvania, but we passed
through number of little towns, among them
Gettysburg (whcre we captured some two
hundred militia), Berlin and York. At the
last mentioned place we remained for day,
and one brigade Of our division went to the
Susqnehanna river and forced the Yankees to
burn bridge mile and quarter long,
After having destroyed all the public proper
where we found ourselves face to face with
Gen. Meade's army.
In the first days fight list JULY the YAM
keo IueS WeIe uOItD VI OettySOuTS, OuC ITOtD
this position they were driven back with great
slaughter. Our brigade and Hoke's brigade
IN. Carolina) were ordered to advance togeth-
er upon the battery, which was supported by
a very strong force. The 9Th Louisiana ran
up and took two pieces of cannon while we
engaged the Infantry, and they certainly made
a better stand than l ever saw them make be-
fore. The Yankees stood until we were with
in thirty yards of them. Hoke's brigade,
which was little ahead of US, ran up to q
fence. about forty yards from fence behind
which the Yankees were, and opened fire upon
them which was returned with spirit as though
they intended to dispute the. ground. just
then our brigade came up, and, without halt
ing, leaped the fence and pushed after the
Yankees. They raised up like flock Of
blackbifds when we were not over thirty
yards from them. We poured terrible fire
into their ranks, and, you may be sure. not
few of them fell. We chased them through
the town and then halted and reformed our
lines.
On the south Ne Of the town, the enemy
took = position, which, suppose, was one Of