The National tribune., 1900-06-21

left Fairfax, passing through Stafford
Court House, and after Il most Disagree
able march through rain, snow, mud and
slush. we arrived at Aquia Creek Saturday
the 25th and went into camp near the
landing. We were without shelter for
some days and suffered severely from the
cold.
Many were taken sick and rendered un-
fit for duty, which made it doubly hard for
those who were well. Our Colonel, after
much eXertion, got us our old tents, and
the boys building log huts using the tents
for the roof, were after Il while in snug
winter quarters.
When the weather would permit, foot
and skiruiSh drill and manual of arms
were the order. A change Of brigade
commanders was made, which were;
Gen. Green was given the 18th and
149th New York ard with other regi-
ments, formed his brigade and the 109li,
111th, 124th, 125th and 29th Pa. were
placed under the command Of Gen. Kane.
Our regiment DUNG the Winter be-
came somewhat increased by the return
Of men from leaves Of absense, furloughs,
etc, and lined up pretty strong in MEM
bers, when on April y, 1853, we got or
ders to march with five days ratiOns and
90 rounds Of ammunition toward Chancell-
orsyiile.
hot WORK AT CHhEcELLoRsvILLE.
Our corps crossed the Rappahannock at
Kelly's Ford and the Eapidan at Germa-
MA Ford On April 30. We skirmished
with the rirkets Of Anderson's Confedcr-
ates, and captured a number OF them; in
fact, we crossed both the above rivers be-
fore the enemy were awaIe Of our army's
presence.
Reaching Chancellor House on the
Plank road May /, we were pushed be-
yond for several miles in skirmsh line,
and developed a strong position of the enc
my.
The 11Ith Pa. was placed on the right
ard the 10th and i2Ith on the left of the
1GJth as we lay on the right of the Plank
road. About O'Clock Saturday afternoon
the two regiments Oh our left made a gal
liant attempt to break the Confederate line
that WIS forming in their front, but after
most desperate encounter were driven
back. / saw them go out of our line of
works With bayonets fixed, and watched
them struggle with the foe, backwards and
forwards, until at last they were overpow-
cred. think this was their first general
battle. Jhey We're new regiments, and
with full ranks they made fine DISPLAY
and brought back to my mind the 1O9th's
| struggle at Cedar Mountain. Their charge
was made to gain time for reinforcements
TO come into line. SIocum had sent to
Hooker for more infantry, and was told
| none were available; that Geary must hold
his line, and that artillery would be placed
so as to sweep the left Of the Plank road.
How well Geary's white Star BOYS" held
the right all know who were there. and
the damage they did to the rebs checked
their hope Of ever piercing our center at
| that point.
In this battle our noble Colonel govc
up his life and the regiment lost its mas
ter and controlling mind. We had com
| Inanding officers afterward that were of q
KIND neither appreciated by the men or
service.
After fierce struggle with the enemy's
infantry and artillery on May 3. holding
their line against fearful odds, the regi.
ment was relieved and marched out of the
works by the left flank under fire and nc
IL ON parade, but after going short dis
tance to the rear were again ordered to the
front and took position with the brigade
IN line of defense at 4 critical moment
II tne woods TO the north Of the Chancel-
| lOrvile House
Comrade Serg't Fergus Elliott, of Com
pany q Ito whom | am greatly indebted
for valuable information regarding the
movements OF the regiment while | was
woundedJ says in his diary, speaking of
the rout of the Eleventh Corps:
jackson concentrated all his available
men and threw them like an avalanche
upon the Eleventh Corps and forced them
/ to scatter in wild confusion. Gen. Kane.
who was near me, gave orders to deploy
our regiment Q09th Pa) to check the re-
treat, work impossible. An officer at-
tempted to pass. Kane saw him. and
drawing his revolver demanded to know
| who he was. The man said he was nm
| officer of the Eleventh Corps. and desired
to go TO the rear. And am Gen. Kane
said our commander, and if you don't 20
back to your command I'll blow yonr
brains out 1t is hardly necessary to saw
| that he went.
when Lieut.. Norris, of Company G.
| was wounded, the General spoke harshly
! to him, not knowing the fact. but imme.