Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-04-01
INTERESTING INCIDENTS AT THE
BATTLE OF SHARPsBURG.
CoMMENDABLE CONDUCT OF THE LATE J
HARVEY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. RENDERED
BY MEMBERS OF THE sroNEwALL
BRIGADE BAND,

GREENyILLE, March 18th, 1891.
| Mr.. EDITOR Please allow me space in your
| valuable paper to note an incident of the late
| war; which occurred at the battle Of Sharps-
| burg, in which our late friend and comrade
| j. Harvey Burdett, was the principal actor
! He belonged to the 5th Regiment Band Corps
The Regiment had participated in the three
days battle at Second Manassas, marched from
| there to Frederick City, Marylsnd. thence to
Martinsburg, from there to Harpers Ferry.
| where we succeeded in capturing large body
of Federals, and on the next day marched to
Sharpsburg and engaged the enemy in skirm
ishing the first day. and on the morning of the
| second day, just at daylight, about City of the
enemies guns opened on US terrific fire OF
shot and shell, which lasted about thirty min
utes. AS soon as the cannonading ceased we
we're ordered forward, and when we arrived at
the top of the hill we were met by two lines OF
battle which opened volley OF musketry up
on us SO destructive that we were ordered
back. having lost heavily in killed and wound
ed. We fell back about eight hundred or
thousand yards to the edge OF piece of woods.
The enemy believing we had retreated, soon
came ov5r the top of the hill, in full view IN
the open field. Va held cur fire until they got
within thras hundred yards when We poured
voIey after volley INTO their ranks, aud they
soon reiterated back across the hill, and we
folloWe ed close after them until we passed a
little over the top of the hill, when we were
again compelled to fall back to the edge OF the
same woods-this movement being repeated
as often as three times. Finding 1t useless to
follow the enemy any longer, we resolved to
hold our position at the edge Of the woods.
which we did until dark having lost in killed
and wounded about half our men. A little af-
IorI r-,I,-1
skirmishlng, Harvey Burdett, who was one of
the Band Corps, came to 10 and said If would
give him permission he would go out to the
front and try to get some of cur wounded of
the field, saying that he could not stand to
hear those poor fellows begging for help. 1
consented that he should try 1t. but cautioned
him to make as little noise as possible. He
then took several men from the Ambulance
Corps and couple Of stretchers. and in few
minutes came in with two wounded men, not
withstanding the enemy's balls were flying
about them whilst they were on their errand
of mercy. He then increased his force and
went back again aud ventured little farther,
and met Yankee doing the same thing,
whereupon he entered into an agreement with
him to exchange their wounded. by each CIV
ing the other the names OF their regiment, each
party agreeing to bring the wounded and dead
of the others egiment to the top of the hill
where the exchange was made. In this way
we succeeded in getting not only our wounded
but our dead ALSO by midnight. Such an act
of humanity and bravery, though only from
an humble private, should not be overlooked
in history.
feel that cannot close this little narrative
without making special mention OF the valua-
BILE services rendered our regiment, by our
Band Corps. They were ready and present
help on all occasions in taking care of our
wounded in time of battle, and rendering such
assistance at our field hospitals as was neses-
sary and practicable, and on all occasions
where it was necessary for troops to remain in
breastworks. tn ey assisted in cooking rations
for the regiment, and carrying and distribute
ing them after dark, which was the only time
they could get to our line with safety. and on
many occasions they would have to cook all
night.
l will also mention the names of our good
old Captain Commissary. Captain Waters, and
Commissary Sergeant William Houser. who
were always known 20 do their duty, and who
were men in the right places.
q. j. WILLIAMS,