The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-25
At AND AROUND
FREDER|CkSBuRG
Story Of the Thirteenth Virginia
Regiment During the Dark
Winter Days.
TOLD BY CAPTAIN BUCK J!
.Unwrittcn History Of Doings in
Camp, on the March and
in Battle.
TOLD BY CAPTAIN BUCK :!

4
The nrst battle of Fredericksburg had
been fought and won. Burnside followed
the fate of his predecessors. NOW the
two armies rested upon the banks of the
beautiful Rappahannock River which Tor
months was the dividing Inc between
the hostile forces Jaclson's CORPS after
the battle in December, went into winter
quarters at Moss Neck, guarding the vil-
lagos and ferries from Fredericksburg
down to Port Royal. The Army of the
Potomac was being recruited from every
cline under the shining sun, while the
Confederates could only rest and nope
in the heroism Of their members and be
recruited from the cradle" sick rolls.
The few we had were tried and true
and could withstand the llardships OF
army life sing the songs Of patriotism
and glory in the deeds accomplished.
Mcclellan, Burnside Shields. Mcdowell,
Banks and others had measured swords
with Lee and Jackson. and now Fight
Ing Joe Hooker took command of the
Army Of the Potomac. He was an ac-
complished soldier, with nn army that
had never before been equaled In num-
Der and equipment, declared Richmond
would fall in thirty days.
Monday April 9th. Hooker's prepnra-
tions we're completed, and Tuesday night
his Frs. Third and Sixth Corps were
at Franklns Crossing, three miles below
Fredericksburg. Stonemnn had begun
his cavalry raid to James River. and
that brilliant leader, ]. L. B. Stuart.
had his forces in motion, and captured
prisoners from Howard, Slocum and
Meade.
Pardon me for DEPRESSING just mo-
ment I cannot pass by the grave of
one who fell March 18th, at Kelly's Ford,
Major John Pelham. Roses and lilies
bloom and bow their heads over his
grave where he sleeps In his Southland,
and feel like bowling my head In thanks
giving that God gave Pelham to the
South. Lee, the immortal, baptized him
"Pelham the gallant" when his Napo-
Icons Numbered upon the TANKS of Burn
side's army. had the honor Of lighting
by his side at Sharpsburg. when the Thir-
teenth supported his battery on our left,
and was promoted to first lieutenant in
the provisional army of the Confederate
states for conduct on that field. The
horses could not drag the heavy guns
over the plowed field, and the mon OF
that grand old regiment almost carried
the pieces to q position only few hum
bred yards In front of the enemy, and
Pelham loaded !Gnch Elln with double
charges and kest thousands OF the enemy
back. see him now; and wish could.
portray the picture on canvas, that every
Southern boy might see It and be proud
that such an example was left him. He
was takenSf from us, and we mourned our
loss.
'But his fame on brightest pages
Penned by poets and by sages.
Shall 20 sounding down the ages
Hooker crossed mt Germania and Ely's
Ford. General Stuart had discovered
Hooker's plans, and at once Informed
concentrating his whole army at Chan
cellorsville.
AS my paper is to treat upon the Thr-
teenth Virginia at Fredericksburg, must
leave Hooker In his trenches at Chan
cellorsville and turn to Early General.
Sedgwick with twenty-five thousand
troops, crossed the river three miles
below Fredericksburg. April Goth, jack
sons corps drew up in front OF !:!'a.
D. II. Hill was on the right at Hamil-
toms Crossing, his right on Massaponox
Creek 1t was discovered by General
Lee that Sedgwcks move was a felnt.
In consequence, he ordered Jackson to
leave one division OF his corps In front
of Sedrw,ick and to move on Chancel-
louisville with the rest OF his troops.
General Eariy's divis!on of eight thous-
and was left 10 confront sedgwck, with
twenty-five thousand. Jackson moved out
wednesday night late. and the entire line
was occupied by Early.
NY regiment, the, Thirteenth Virginia,
under Colonel J. b. Terrell, was on
picket duty at the old gas house, Gem
eral Smith extra Billy) commanded the
brigade. The morning the Federals cross
ed we were ordered back, and formed
skirmish line. the three right COM
panies leading down to the river. and the
others, or left wing Of the regiment,
swung hack from the road, connecting,
] think. with a North Carolina regi-
rnent
AS we moved back from the river ant
were depoyng as skirmishers, the firs
shell from Falmouth greeted US, and q.
we marched back to the Bowling Greer
road the enemy had good practice at us
hut did no harm. Part of the regimen
took position against the south hank o
tho road, the condition OF which gave VI
good protection Companies !, * and
by the emlbankment or each side Of tn
road, while tho companies on cur lef
we're IN open field; but the soil heinl
light and candy. the men were soon q
work throwing up rifle pits, and almos
every fellow dug hole that protecte,
him TO tho waist. ! asas on the extrem
right and within speaking distance OF tn
enemy, who had moved forward an
were In the road 10 our left and on gu
right, coHf6rmcd TO our line and in tn
opea field. VIC were not over two hun
drEL yards auart and not musket !a