The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-06-08

times; DeslucS, my WIG kept all nv
letters written during my three years
service, which | prize very highly
now
At daybreak, Sunday May g. 1868,
we entered Frederick3burg, passing
along a street running parallel with
| the river, until we reached the north.
ern end of the town. Glancing up to
1r at the Heights, we saw there were
the forts sure enough, but to all ap-
peranccs not rebel in them, there be-
ing Tut one solitary head poering out
Of one o. the portfolios. Our boys he.
gan to say the forts were deserted.
Finally we deployed a line of skirm.
ishers. The ground in front was swan
py and marshy, terminating further
down to the left in a pond which was
crossed by plank bridge. As our
skirmishers advanced the solitary
head disappeared, aud in it's stead
horses were discerned, driving up and
wheeling around, and cannon thurst
their ugly noses out, and soon shells
whistled over us. 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Our skirmishers were Withdrawn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'a deathlike stiffness, an omi
nous silence; everything was as quiet
as Sunday should be.
The 6ist Pa. was on our right in the
next block, They received the order,
Forward, by the right flank, double
quick" which they did, left in front.
The SGD closed in behind and follow
ed, and the 43d n. Y. was to follow US,
Everything was quiet; not shot was
fired out of the rebel forts until the
head of column (Gist) 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 crumb'
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 this' The
Glst wavered for a moment moment
only, but in that moment, with the
column pressing behind, there came a
jam on the bridge.
Oh! carnage and slaughter, A writh'
ing, shi iieking mass, shell and shot
poured in, moving down the brave
boys. A shell moved down rank of
four in front of me. Striking stone
foundation it exploded, and piece
flew back and moved down others.
Twas 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, nut
can safely say the 6lst we're 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.
| I we'll remember one, on which the
First Lieutenant of Company H, S2d
Pa. (Owen Tompkins), placed driver
and started it to the rear. | saw a reb.
ell (an officer I judge mount and ride
, of with two horses right from out our
i very midst. When called on to halt he
cocly took eff his hat, waved it def
antly, and gailoped Off Truly it was
a daring deed, and all done in flash
Our commanding officer was shouting
: "Rally on the colors," which was quick
, ly done, and when reforming we heard
cheering. About an eighth Of mile tC
our left other regiments were reform
ing. The 9th Me. and 5th Wis. had a
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 al
, the top of the hill, The success of that
, column and ours compelled the rebs tc
evacuate the other works along the
line.
As We began to advance in line
, crack, whiz, bang q shell came ovel
a oui ucausi IiSHI oi"hS 'uO iiho A'H
the right, causing the boys to make
their bow.
On our right, one or two fields dis
tant, wos a rebel regiment retreating
Their line was exactly on line will
ours. With them was battery which
was loading, wheeling, and firing at us
They gave US several shots, but did nj
. harm, and the nature Of the ground
soor 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 uI
until after dark. Before dark some
rebel prisoners passed US. One big red
head sang out: jackson will tend tc
ysu-ens pretty soon." We lay dcwr
that t,iuht IN line ~ hakkla Luav,