The National tribune., 1900-04-19

Sduc, toccOnu DIVISION, COL y. NJ. tdntpDel
i'll command of the brigade and in the alb
sence of Col. J. p. Linton, on account o
wounds received at New Market, Maj
YoutZey took command of the regiment
Gen. Hunter now pushed rapidly towards
| Lynchburg, the enemy steadily contesting
the way.
I On June II the regiment was engaged il
defeating the rebels at Lexington, and
possessed the town, but suffered little loss
On June Il Hunter arrived in front o
Lynchburg, where the enemy had concen
trated a large force. Heavy skirmishine
Immediately commenced, and fighting sooI
| became general.
During two days the contest was waget
with varying success, raging at times
with great fury. All this time the 54tl
was without rationS, and worn out will
hard service, but never f1inched from tn,
severe duty to which they We're subjected
Fifty-four of their number were killed
among the wounded was Lieut.. Cole, Co
B.
Finding the enemy too strong for him
his ammunition nearly exhausted, Hunter
Withdrew, and commenced his retreat
across the mountains towards the ka
nawha, in a hostile country, short of ra
| tionS, no water TO be found, and under q
scorching sun, and being almost con
tinuously harassed by the enemy's cav,
airy.
A TERRIBLE MARCH.
! 1t would be difficult to give an adequate
description of the suffering and privations
of man and beast in this memorable march.
For the first three days and nights the
command could only halt long enough to
make cup of coffee, which was about the
only subsistence they had until they
reached a point between the Green Brier
and Gauley Rivers, at which place rations
| had been promiScuouSly streWn along the
road from which the troops could help them
selves.
Reaching Camp Piatt, on the Kanawha
River, on June 30, after a brief rest, the
army was taken by transport to Parkers-
burg, thence by railroad, arriving at Mar
| tinsburg, Va, on July IA, 1864. Lieut.
| Col. Linton was now in command of the
regiment. Crossing the Potomac at Harper s
Ferry, and rccroSsing at Berlin, the com
mand hastaned through LoYetSville to near
81 icker's Gap.
Cook having succeeded Hunter, of the
Army OF West Virginia, on July IS. 1864,
crossed the river with Col. ThOburn'S Bri-
gade, and spirited engagement ensued,
and being outfianked in his position and
vastly outnumbered was driven back and
recro35ed the river. The loss of the 54th
III this engagement was seven killed and
wounded. The 54th had spirited engage
meat, along with Thoburn'S Brigade near
kernt0Wn and Winchester, on July "a and
%, in which Mulligan. 23d ILL.,, was killed
After this the regiment moved 10 Cedar
Creek, thence to HalltoWn, and on the 2Sth
10 BerrEVIllc, where severe engagement
occurred, lasting far into the night. and
ending in complete repulSe Of the enemy.
The regiment then moved to Summit Point
and remained there until Sept. 10, repairing
as far as posi- bic the ravages of the cam
palgn, distributing supplies, and assign
nag recruits and veterans returned from
furlough.
On Sept. 10, 1864, Sheridan advanced to
drive the enemy from his strongly fortified
position on OpeIuan Creek near Win
chester. Crooks Corps, to which the
regiment belonged, advanced in line to
charged.
The whole line rushed forward in the open
field, and though many fell. moved on
with irresistible force, allowing the enemy
no time to rally until he was flying in com
plete rout and confusion beyond Winchester
and the victory was complete.
FISHERS HILL.
Onthe 21st the regiment, under command
of Maj Youtzy, formed part Of q force which
moved quietly along the side of North
Mountain, turned the left Of the enemy
stationed at Fishers Hill, and with as,
irresistible charge swept down on his flank,
driving him from his guns in the fort s.rad
almost annihilating his comma nd.
Joining IN the pursuit the re giment fol
lowed his scattered forces to Ha rrisonburg,
when it returned to the north ide of Cedar
Creek, and on DC t. 10 Early moved silently
from his camp at midnight. gained posi-
to the Union forces, and before daylight,
under heavy fog, fell with crushing force
upon the Union troops.
The 54th suffered severely in this en-
gagement, being posted in advance, and
the first TO feel the enemy's blow. Among
the killed was Lieut. Jos. Peck, Co. B.
On Dec. 10, 1864, the regiment marched
with Sheridan's army from the Valley to
Join Grant in front of Petersburg; going to
Washington, thence in transports to City
Point, arriving there on the 23d and en-
camping on Chapin's farm. it was as
signed to duty in the Amy Of the James.
All this place on the 7th Of February, 1865,
the Veterans of the Sd and 4th Pa. Reserves
were consolidated, under the name OF the
54th Pa, with the following field officers.
the original officers of the 54th having been
mustered out at the expiration of their term
OF service: A: T. Moulton, Colonel; VIM. A.
McDermt, ,Lieute1ant-Colo and Nathan
Davis, Major The regiment was assigned
10 the Second Brigade. Independent Di-
vision Of the Army Of the James. com
manded by Gen. Ord.
On March % the regiment broke camp,
and after some accommodating returned and
went into camp, and on the 2Sth crossed
the James River and took up position
near Hatcher'S Run, from which place it
advanced on the cnemy's position across a
swamp, the enemy hotly contesting every
inch of ground.
On Sunday, April 2, 1865, the regiment
made forced march and joined in the
general forward movement Of the army.
and approached Fort Gregg, in front OF
Petersburg, where spirited resistance waS
offered, the 54th being one Of the first
under calling fire TO scale the parapets Of
the fort. In this engagement the regiment
lost 20 in killed and wounded; Mai Davis
aud Lieut. Cyrus Patton were among the
killed; Capt. John l.. Decker succeeded
Davis as Major Of the regiment.
Following up the rebel army on April ;.
Col. NJ. p Moulton with the 54th and some
other troops. made a forced march to High
Bridge to effect its destruction. Arriving
at Reece's Station, Gen. Reed, of Ord's
staff, took command of the brigade and
Immediately made an attack, and after
desperate struggle, lasting about four
hours. Gen. Reed was killed, Coils. Kellogg
and WaShburn wounded, and a large por-
ton Of the command killed or made prison
ers. The command was forced 10 sur
render. The loss of the 54th was 21 killed
and wounded.
On April 10, 1865, the regiment was
paroled and sent 10 Annapolis, Nd, from
which place it was finally discharged on
the 31st day of May 1865.
Demand Removal of Evans.
At a recent meeting of Joseph Halstead
Mo