The National tribune., 1910-07-14
1fSth PA. AT SHEPAlsDSTOWN.
The 9Th Mich. Went Across the River
and Demolished a Battery Before
They Went Over.

They Went Over. ...........
Editor National Tribune: F. A. Lud-
low, Holden, Mo, compliments Com
rade McElroy on his account of the
crossing of the 11Sth Pa. at Shepards-
town. 1 was an eyewitness to that
affair. On Sept. 19, 1852, L think, the
4th Mich. was moving down ravine
on the north side of the Potomac, near
Shepardstown Ford. A rebel battery
stationed on the south side of the river
near the ford opened fire on us. A
member of Co. F. was killed and others
We're injured. This incident did not
cause the regiments to feel very friend
ly toward that battery: and as We ap-
preached the canal which runs along
the north bank of the river at that
point, We We're halted and the Colonel
(Childs) said: Boys, are you willing
(without orders) to ford the river and
try to silence that battery?"
As remember it, there was no dis
senting voice. All said, Yes" AS it
was now getting quite dark, We filed
down into the canal. We forded the
river, captured the battery, and dump
ed it over the bank. No one on our
side was killed, but two or three were
slightly wounded. 1t was surprise to
the enemy. They had not thought of
, ~
accomplishing what we started out 10
do, we formed for our return to the
north side.
At this point the wagon road, or foot
path, ran at the foot of the bluff near
the river. AS we We're crossing this
path on our return we heard the clat-
ter of horses feet crossing up the river.
We waited for. their approach. and to
their dismay we took them in. There
We're seven of them-sOme members OF
Gen. Lees Richmond reporters. We
returned to our camp on the north side
Of the river without further interrup-
ton. > 1. 5aG
The next morning before we had
cooked our coffee or had our breakfast.
we were ordered to return1to the south
bank of the river. We took the same
position that we had occupied the night
before, gathered in a few prisoners, a
wagonload of flour, that had been aban-
doned, and many other things never
shall forget two prisoners we captured
enc a long, lank North Caroiinian. the
other a short IriRhman. 1.-THE North
Carolinian commenced to- whine and
beg. saying he hadn't fred a. shot But
Pat says: ~ fired a SHOT and will do il
again If get chSace." We had some
respect for the Irishman, but very little
for the man that waiaed. After we had
accomplished what we were, ordered tC
do, We again returned. to our camp or
the north bank for the purpose of get
ting our breakfast afrer@InIIn we Were
to prepare to march. .7..e = :
While we were doing this, the 118tf
Pa. crossed the river and took the same
/ position that we had occupied an hour
before. They had been jim line but g
short time when strong force of the
enemy came out of the woods and at
tackled the 11Sth with such vigor that
| they We're compelled to retreat They
were driven over the bank into the
river, some below the dam and some
above. The ford was just below the
dam. Those that went in above the
dam had to swim for their lives, and
I understood at the time that some were
drowned.
l believe that this was the 118th's
first experience, as they had just come
to the front They were known a:
the Corn Exchange Regiment. the Pride
| of Philadelphia. Seventy or IS OF theil
! number were killed as this. their first
/ experience. We were on the north bank
of the river, where we could see every
move that was mcde, and yet We could
not get to them in time to render any
assistance. Whose fault was it thai
caused the slaughter of those nobls
Pennsylvania boys "A. V. Cole, Co. c
4th Mich, Hastings, Neb.