The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-05-05

| It5lk3 ~ how they differ.
ELI9#3 $eii1>N1 The numbers that
4 Z ~ EWlI ~ have are scattering. and
e. Is Hj il may be that both O
W W the above communities
S. tons have been replied
TO PRO and con. ! was
with the SD Pa. and will give my recoilec-
tions of the same engagement from an SD
standpoint In doing SO ] have no intention
10 contradict, reply to, or correct any comrade
being fully persuaded that we could not see
everything at the same time. l do not rely on
my memory entirely, as l have my diary, kept
during those times; besides my wife kept ali
my letters written during my three years ser
vice. which prize very highly now.
At daybreak, Sunday, May ,, 1868, we en-
tered fredericksburg passing along street
running parallel with the river, until we
reached the northern end of the town. Glanc-
ing up TO or at the flights, We saw there were
the forts sure enough, but to all appearances
not rebel in them, there being but one soil
tary head pecrng out of one OF the portfolios.
0uc boys began 10 say the forts were deserted.
Finally we Gerloyed line Of sklrmishers.
The ground in front was swanpy and marshy,
terminating further down to the left in pond
which was crossed by plank bridge. As our
skirmishers advanced the solitary head disap-
peared, and in its stead horses were discernod,
driving up and wheeling around, and cannon
thrust their ugly noses out, and soon shells
whis.led over us. The boys then said, "Ah
! they're over there"
Our skrmisheIs were withdrawn, and bat
terry with us exchanged shots for while, then
all became quiet again. Onr regiment was then
moved to the left square SO, iii the shelter
of the houses. Presently We received orders
to unsling knapsacks, and take the caps of of
cur pieces. The boys looked at each other with
serious faces; there was Geathlike stiffness,
/ an ominOu5 silence; everything was as quiet
as Sunday should be.
The 61st Pa. was on our right in the next
block. They received the order. Forward
by the right flank doubleQu!ck,' which they
/ did, left in front. The sgd closed in behind
and followed, and the ADD \. Y. was to follow
Us. Everything was quiet; not shot was fired
out of the rebel forts until the head of column
! (6lst) was well on the bridge. Then they
/ opened with shell, shot and bullet. causing
tremendous slaughter Our regiment being
| yet behind, and on higher ground, l saw IL all
| The head of column crumbicd and melted; the
/ boys fell on the bridge, and of the bridge into
the water on both sides. / distinctly saw Col.
| Spear fall at the head OF bis regiment. How
did | see all this? The 61st wavered for mo-
ment-a moment only, but in that moment,
with the column pressing behind, there came
| jam on the bridge.
On carnage and slaughter. writing,
| shrieking mass. shell aud shot pouring in,
moving down the brave boys. she'll moved
/ down a rank of four in front of me. Striking
/ a stone foundation it exploded, and pieces flew
/ back and moved down others. Twas one ter
/ ribe momentary struggle, then the way WIS
| opened, the column began to move, bullets
! striking the water like hail. Over the bridge
/ we rush and up the HILL scramblipg and chas-
/ ing into the forts. Hard to tell indeed who
was the first man, but can safely say the 6lst
were the first men, while the SD was with
! them shoulder 10 shoulder
al,
some made brief stand at house in rear of
the fort. Ny diary says two cannon were cap
! tured. well remember one, on which the
1 First Lieutenant Of Go. Ii, S2d Pa. Owen
/ TompkiDs), placed driver and started it TO
/ the rear / saw rebel IAN officer | judge
mount aud ride off with two horses right from
! out our very midst When called on to halt hc
coolly took of his hat, waved it defantly, and
! gaiioped of. Trnly it a daring deed, aud
al done in fash. Our commanding officer
was shouting, Rally on the colors," which
/ we quickly did, and while reforming we heard
cheering. About an eighth Of mile to our left
! other regiments we're reforming. The 9th Ne.
and 9Th Wis. had hand -tc-haBd encounter, in
which bayonels aud dubbed muSkets were
! freely used IN driving the rebs out from behind
/ the stone wall at the bottom and the artillery
men out OF the big fort At the top OF the hill.
| The success OF that column and ours compelled
/ the rebs TO eyacuate the other works along the
/ line.
As we began to advance in line, crack, whiz,
bang! shell came over cur heads, right
I along the line from the right, causing the boys
10 make their bow.
On our right, one or tGo fields distant, was
rebel regiment ret-eating. Their line was ex-
! actiy on line with OURS With them was bat
! terry, which wss loading, wheeling, and firing at
US. They gave Us several shots. but did no
harm, and the nature Of the ground soon caused
| q separation.
We advanced few miles and found the rebs
again at Salem flights. Our troops were adj
yancing to take position and bloody fight was
kept up until after dark. Before dark some
rebel prisoners passed US. One big red head
sang out TO US: jackson viii tend to you-ens
pretty soon." We lay down that night in line
OF battle, our knapsacks being in Fredericks-
| burg. In the course Of the night feeling cold,
conrade and myself ventured out in front,
hoping we might fnd piece of tent or
| blanket, but nary" blanket could we find
We came TO little house on the road All
| was dark aud silent. We entered and feeling
around in the dark, found, oh, joy pile OF
/ Jackets and clothing. Quickly gathering up
/ each an armfui. we found our way back to the
/ line, shared with the boys, and everybody was
/ happy, for while, at least But, alas at day
I light our JOY turned into mourning, for the
enemy had stolen march on US. He was in
! side, outside, down our neck, up our pants, up
our sleeves, everywhere, and all over US. In
brief il was pile Of rebel clothing VIC had
! found, and was literally swarming with gray
backs" Well you may just bet the boys gave
US blessing.
All the next day the boys manuvered from
1 place to place. Hooker having been wbpped
al Charlottesville, the rebs fell back and be-
slowed their attentions on the Sixth Corus.
/ They fankcd us, got in our rear and had re-
taken the flights, Frederick sbnrg, and-our
/ knapsacks
Not TO make my sketch too long, viii only
say, further, that cur line Of battle eventually
became somewhat tit seemed to mel the shane
Of balloon, and we got out at the little end of
/ it, crossing the river on a pontoon bridge three
or four miles north of Fredericksburg before
day on the morning Of the 5th
In conclusion, comrades wish TO say II Ia
i nice to write OF our personal experiences in the
war. 1t is interesting TO our children. ! have
three sons, born since the war. They are much
interested In these sketches, and often ask me
10 explain tho contradictions they see. / tell
them those were busy times, and we all had our
hands full. Tho battleGelds were large; we
| could not see everything ] am willing to tell
my story and vouch for it, but ! will not con-
tradict my comrade; for when doctors disagree
who shall be convinced ?-ALoNZo JOHNSON.
Co. Z, SD Pa, Germantown, Philadelphia
Pa
The March to the Sea.