The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-06-11

ttmeai DeSiueet my WHO Kept all my
letters written during my three years.
service, which prize very highly
now.
At daybreak, Sunday May 8, 1868,
VIC entered Fredericksburg, passing
along a street running parallel with
the river, until we reached the north
srn end of the town. CHANGING up to
IT at the Heights, we saw there were
the forts sure enough, but to all APP
peraGces not rebel in them, there be,
ing cut one solitary head peering out
of one Of the portfolios. Our boys be.
gan to say the forts were deserted.
Finally we deployed line Of skirm-
ishers. The ground in front was swami
py and marshy, terminating further
down to the left in pond which was
crossed by plank bridge. As our
skirmishers advanced the solitary
head disappeared, and in its stead
horses were discerncd, driving up and
wheeling around, and cannon thurst
their ugly noses out, and soon shells
whistled overus. The boys then said
"Ah they're over there.
Our skirmishers were withdrawn
and a battery with us exchanged shots,
for while, then all became quiet
again. Our regiment was then moved
to the left square or so, In the shelter
of the houses. Presently we received
orders to unsling knapsacks. and take
the caps off Of our pieces. The boys
looked at each other with serious faces;
there was deathlike stiffness, an omi,
nous silence; everything was IS quiet
MS Sunday should be.
The 6ist Pa. was on our right In the
next block. They received the order,
Forward, by tho right flank, double
quick which they did, left in front.
The sgd closed in behind and follow
ed, and the ADD N. Y. was to follow us.
Everything was quiet; not shot was
fred out Of the rebel forts until the
head of column (61st) was well on the
bridge. Then they opened with she'll,
shot and bullet, causing tremendous
slaughter. Our regiment being yet
behind, and on higher ground, / saw
it all. The head Of the column crumD.
led and Melted the boys fell on the
bridge, and off the bridge into the
water on both sides. distinctly saw
Col. Spear fall at the head of his regi-
ment. How did see all of thisl The
6lst wayered for moment--a moment
only, but in that moment, with the
column pressing behind, there came
jam on the bridge.
OH carnage and slaughter. A with,
ing, shiieking mass, shell and shot
poured in, moving down the brave
boys. A shell moved down a rank of
four in front Of me. Striking a stone
foundation it exploded, ana a piece
few back and moved down others.
'Twa one terrible momentary struggle,
then the way was opened, the column
began to move, bullets striking the
water like hail. Over the bridge we.
rushed and up the hill, scrambling and
chasing into the forts. Hard to tell
indeed who was the first man, but ]
can safely say the 61st were the first
men, while the S2d was with them
, shoulder to shoulder.
The rebs went flying in all direc.
lions, though some made brief stand
at house in rear Of the fort. My
diary says two cannon were captured.
,, we'll remember one, on which the
First Lieutenant Of Company H, sgd
Pa. Owen Tompkins), placed driver
and started it to the rear. saw reb.
ell Gan officer l judge mount and ride
of with two horses right from out our
very midst. When called on to halt he
cocly took of his hat, waved 1t def
antly, and galloped off. Truly it was
daring deed, and all done in fash,
Our commanding officer was shouting,
"Rally on the colors, = which was quick.
~ done, and when reforming we heard
cheering. About an eighth of mile to
our left other regiments were reform.
ing. The 9th Me. and 5th Wis. had j.
hand to hand encounter, in which bay.
onets and dubbed muskets were freely
used in driving the rebs out from be-
hind the stone wall at the bottom and
the artillerymen out Of the big fort at
the top of the hill. The success of that
column and ours compelled the rebs to
evacuate the other works along the
line.
As we began to advance in line,
crack, whiz, bangi shell came over
our heads, right along the line from
the right, causing the boys to make
their bow,
On our right, one or two fields dis.
tant, wss rebel regiment retreating.
Their line was exactly on line with
ours. With them was battery which
was loading, wheeling, and firing at us.
They gave us several shots, but did no
harm, andNt the nature of the ground
sooE caused separation.
We advanced few miles and found
the rebs again at Salem Heights. Our
troops were advancing to take posi-
ton. and bloody fight was kept up
until after dark. Before dark some
rebel prisoners passed us, One big red.
head sang out: jackson will tend to
you-ens pretty soon.n We lay down
that night in line Of battle, our KNAPP.
sacks being in Frederic sburO In the