The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-04-16
Written for the FnRKNAN.l
THE S"NHITE DIAMONDS At CHAN
CELEORYILLE.

On Friday morning, May 1st, 1868, the
Second Division of the Third Corps broke
camp and took upits line Of march along the
road that wound up the north bank Of the
Rappahannock. The roads were rather bad
but the day was fine and the gallant White
Diamonds" kept on through the romantic
pine woods in buoyant expectation and high
spirits.
After we had been on the march Tor a few
hours, the faint and suIlen roar of heavy
cannonading resounded in far-oG thunders
through the forests; and still louder grew
the bOomings with every mile, till at last we
could distinguish the sharp and rapid expIo-
siOns OF shells.
The afternoon was warm and suItry when
We reached the pontOOn bridge, which was
already laid for our crossing, and we kept
on across, toward the evcr-increasing din
whose mighty thuuderings oere now making
the weikin ring.
While climbing the steep bank Of the river
on the southern shore. many Of the troops
began to throw away their extra baggage,
such as axes, heavy frying pans, and other
such encun beriug articles; for the near ap-
proach of battle requires activity and free
dom Of movement, and the soldier thinks not
of property or pecuniaTy value in that su-
preme hour When all we're over, we formed
in columns Of companies with every regi-
mental drum corps at the head OF its respect
i've regiment, and, to the merry music Of the
fife and drum, We advanced up into the crash
and roar on ahead.
We soon came up with brigade formed in
line Of battle, and its General seemed to pos
/ sess discretion as well as yalor, for he ha !
himself well fortified all around with a good
breastwork, while lie stood in the midst, Civ
ing commands That same General came
out eventually to be one of the most dashina
and efficient officers of the Federal Army
Our coming was doubtless very welcome to
this brigade, for presume it had stood the
| peltings of shot and shell for some time be
/ fore our approach, while our advance farther
to the front pushed the opposing troops back
( and gave them 4 rest for a time.
The rhymthical din Of the field music gave
US no chance to think of danger, for every
/ thing seemed 80 much like field day abou
{ camp, except now and then the wicked burs
/ Of a crashing shell in the woods through
which we marched.
Our division advanced up with perfec
confidence and easy step-colors flying an,
heads erect faces flushed instead of pale
and thus VIC continued till after dusk, whel
at last we reached our destination, where W,
camped down in close proximity in the wood
with orders to light no fires. This order
however, vas not strictly obeyed, as one .
two lights sprang up directly; but the te
merity of the infringers soon brought troubl
to the brigade in the shape of kissing shell
which struck down almost into the fire
This summary hint had the desired effect, fo
the fires were non est in a moment, and "
camped in peace for the rest Of the night
The troops slept on their arms all nigh
for we We're right close up on the "Johr
nies," who were liable to awake at any IN,
ment and give us a haze in the dark. A
remained quiet, however, till the morniu,
which dawned sun-shiny and pleasant-li
orally "as Tie flowers OF May''-when y
marched up the road and Joined the troops
the front which had been skirmishing aroun
the Chancellor House the night before. OF
regiment was soon selected to 20 out on Il
skirmish line, where two of our men we
killed One, a new recruit and good ms
j he was too, was shot right through the whi
J diamond on his cap. He was a married ma
{ shoemaker, believe, and left little far
lily to mourn his long absence.
During the fOTenoonI 1 took range aroul
, through the Chancellor House, which b;
! been well battered with shot and shell t
previous evening. I found there the debl
Of a good library, and was presently deep
+ engrossed in the Lady Of the Lake" " viii
l found on the floor just then rack
2 struck up among the small arms, which
: 'errupted my reading, 30 I seized sever
books ana @Tired r7v conpsrv