The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-03-26
Written for the FEEENASl
A Private View OF Taking a Battery.

A Private View OF Taking a Battery.
On the morning of the 18th Of July, 1862,
the ''White DIAMONDS" were aroused very
early among the small hours, and ordered to
"get on their things" for nocturnal expe-
dition Of some sort.
1t was bland summer weather in the "Old
Dominion" and as we moved out through
the misty woods in the star-lit darkness It
seemed rather pleasant than otherwise.
Our camp was on the outpOsts at Harri-
sons Landing and as we presently took the
road back to Malvern Hill, we rightly con-
cluded that the boys in grey in that locality
were to receive a visit.
We had TO keep our tin-cups from jingling
and ths cavalry boys had to restrain the
clangor of their sabTe-scabbards, as the
movement was Intended for surprise AS
we marched silently along in the crowded
road our columns famed by the damp night
wind we had ample time to think of what
might be in store for us on ahead yet step
by step we kept nearing our fate, whatever
1t might be. The subdued noise of the tramp
of thousands, the mingling tread of the
many hoofed squadrons and the rumblIng
noise of the cannon wheels, all sounded like
IL
halt our Lieutenant Colonel fell i'll, which
created quite stir in our ranks for awhile,
as we had to wait while the surgeon ran
sacked his budget for drugs to soothe the
patients r9belliOus stomach. Such trouble
seemed Just then, however, TO be in a meas
ure superfuous, as a Kissing shell from the
hostile line might at any moment knock off
the head of his patient and render his drugs
of no avail.
/ On, on we trudged through the dim night
shadows, till at last morning began to dawn;
! and lovely morning it was. The peaceful
farm houses slept in rural quiet, and the
shrill call of chanticleer greeted the morning
twilight. The river flowed not far away in
/ its embowered channel. 1t seemed fearful
thing to be advancing on to such fearful
work amid such scenes Of peace, for some
were living, thinking and acting and walking
along that road who would never again see
the sun two hours high.
We reached the foot of Malvern Hill about
sunrise, the infantry marching in the middle
OF the road and the cavalry on each side. As
soon as the 'JohnEies'' caught glimpse OF
our appro ach they bid US good morning in
the shape of shells, rape-and-canister, and
the dear knows what all, for tin-cans came
rolling down the hill, and little round pieces
of wood, such as you would roll tape on
red tape" | presume Just then q man
came limping back from the front and beg
ged my help on his way to the rear. He
seemed unable to walk, so l gave him my
arm to support his tottering steps out of the
range of shells. l took a few steps to the
rear with him. as that was part of my duty
being a musician. Seeing that he sooI
ceased his limping, allowed him to proceed
on his downward course to safety, and turn
ed nv face once more to the front. Tht
troops had just halted, and l soon caught III
again to my own company, who were stand
ing in the middle of the road with fixed bay
onets The shells, grape-and-canister, ant
other kinds of missiles, were coming dowI
the hill diagonally across the road, Man
had been wounded among the men who wer
l standing there which fact was plainly visibl
by the blood trickling down some of thei
faces, by limp arms, torn jackets, totterin
steps and limping gaits. The surgeon ha
started a temporary hospital on the lei
| of the road, behind the fence, and there h
l soon mad his hands full
We started on up the hill again toward IL
belching battery above us. Just then she
came rushing across the road, dOdging
t by falling fiat on the ground. The screecl
S ing compliment rushed over us at the heigl
: of couple of feet, knocking into flinders
c its fierce course panel Of rail fence alon
: side. Just then an aide rode up the ros
, with the utmost indifference to all sorts
{ missiles, and rebuking some of the men {
f his way for their dodging proclivities,
!, asked, What are you afraid of?-the She
- won't hurt you" The next shell that can
T along struck down in the road two of &
e Eleventh Massachusetts, which was in q
2, road ahead of US. The two men were strut
, dead on the spot, but no one seemed to q
J. tice the occurrence. The troops now we
e UP the hill on the double quick with trail
II arms, and the battery was soon silenced al
k captured. The cheers Of the victors resoun
d ed in the ears of the departing "JOhnnies
/ and all the danger and trouble was pa
9r Officers and men were jubilant over the ST
le cess of the reconnaissance, but little disa
ID pointment was felt that they had not ca
N tured the supporters of the battery.
1t We were soon back in camp again, fall
e in for our crackers and Coffee" and car
b. life was the same as ever.
v The above is n true personal experieT
n of Hooker's reconnaissance on the 18th
tn July, 90. A. d. H