CAMP CORRESPONDENCE
From
the
Bucktail
Rifles
Bivouac 1
Bucktail Rifles, P. R. C.
Near Marsh
Run, Va.
July 6th, 1863
Our Regiment has
stacked arms for a few hours rest, and while here I shall endeavor to give you
and account of our participation in the battle of Gettysburg. Early as the 18th of June, the
Army of the Potomac was passing our camp at Fairfax Station, and it soon became
evident that our Division would soon again be connected with Hooker’s
Army. Accordingly, on the 25th
ult., we were not in the least surprised to receive orders to pack knapsacks
and prepare to leave at short notice.
Taking up our line of march, about 3 ½ PM, toward the upper Potomac,
arriving at a point near Vienna, about two o’clock the same night, where we
were joined by the 3rd brigade, under command of the gallant Col.
Fisher of the 5th Regt., P. R. V. C. I will not attempt to describe the remainder of our march to
Edwards’ Ferry, where we crossed the Potomac for the fifth time, thence through
Maryland, striking the Pennsylvania line near Hanover. Suffice to say that after tramping ten days
and three nights, marching upwards of 160 miles, we arrived near Gettysburg,
where our progress was brought to a halt by the close proximity of the rebel
invaders. The gallant John F. Reynolds
had lost his life and been repulsed the day before, with the 1st and
11th Corps, who were waiting for reinforcements when the remainder
of the army came. Shortly after our
arrival the different Divisions moved upon the enemy, ours, the 5th
Corps taking position on the left of the centre. The rebels had a beautiful position, selected with unusual care,
and at the first glance it really seemed more than doubtful whether they could
be driven from it. There were
stonewalls and rocks in profusion, behind which were posted the Butternuts, as
thick as flies in Spring time; but then we all knew what would be the consequence
if defeated, and each man made up his mind to do or die.
Syke’s Division
of Regulars, the pride of the army, were first hurled against the Rebel hordes,
but sorry to say they proved unequal to the task, and were driven back with a
heavy loss, the rebels closely at their heals.
Then our Division, the Penna. Reserves, who have often proven by deeds
on may a bloody field, their valor, where brought up, just as the enemy had
gained the top of the hill on which were stationed our batteries. Already the artillerymen had left their
pieces, and things did indeed look dubious, but with a cheer and a “REMEMBER
REYNOLDS!” (who was our first Brigadier, and was worshipped by the men), with
bayonets fixed, went in. Now the rebel
line wavers, as if astonished at the boldness of the men, which is quickly
noticed by the officers who urge the boys on by personal deeds of daring, then
they break and fly, while volley after volley is poured into them by the men,
who are fighting for their homes and all that is dear to them; the grape and
canister flies thick as hail among them.
On, on, still on they go, until every inch of ground lost by Regulars is
re-gained, when night put an end to hostilities. It was here we lost our star, Col. Charles Frederick Taylor, who
had only worn the eagles a few weeks, and had God only spared him to us longer
he would soon have been tendered a Brigadier General’s Commission. His loss is deeply felt by all the members
of his regiment, and his connection with the Bucktail Rifles will long be
remembered, while many a soldier’s tear will be dropped to his memory by the
lads who composed his command. Lt.
Colonel Niles too received a wound in the leg, so the command devolved to Maj.
Hartshorn, a young but gallant officer, who is always to be found where bullets
fly thickest. We held our position on
the 3rd until about three o’clock when Gen. Crawford ordered an
advance. Two companies, of our Regt., F
and I, were deployed as skirmishers, under command of Capt. Wolff of our
Company, and carefully advanced in the woods and among the rocks, behind which
were posted the rebel sharpshooters.
The 1st, 2nd, 6th and 11th
regiments followed with fixed bayonets and soon the engagement again became
general, shell and canister again flying in profusion. It soon became evident that this was too
slow a mode of conquering, and the skirmish line went in on almost a charge,
the consequence of which was the capturing of three time our number in
prisoners. The Rebs again left leaving
us masters of the field. During the
whole night the Greybacks could be heard erecting fortifications in our front,
and we all anticipated hot work on the morrow, the glorious 4th, but
judge of our surprise upon making an advance next day to find the bird had
flown, proving conclusively that while he can fight on nigger soil, he can’t
hold a candle to the Union army in Penn’a.
The loss is general and line officers was severe – eleven killed and
wounded, among the latter your friend Capt. McDonald of Company G. Our Company was unusually lucky, only
loosing three wooded, viz: Privates Everell Chadwick, breast; Sam’l Hollenbach,
face; Wm. F. Rehr, leg.
I might relate to
you many incidents which would prove interesting to your readers but for want
of time and space I will leave a majority for my next letter. Of course men can’t do without eating under any
circumstances, but it was rough when we were compelled to live on State prison
fare – hard tack and water, with a very small piece of raw pork by way of
variety. After charging up the hill
among the rebel sharpshooters we came upon a big bag of boiled beef and rebel
pan cakes, and as they were ours by right of lawful conquest, we invited what
rebels were there to seat themselves and there we enjoyed an excellent meal
while the cannon from the hills kept up an continuous roar!
I met Lt. Tubbs
of Co. H. 11th Regt. who tells me he has only 7 men left out of
28. In the 81st I did not
learn the casualties entire, but heard that Capt. Pryor was again wounded.
We are after the
Rebs as fast as possible and by the time this reaches you we will doubtless
have had another fight. Now is the time
to go in, and if the militia only pushes ‘em hard there is a prospect of this
“cruel war” being over before long. We
are now on the borders of Maryland, and the next fight will, I think, be in the
vicinity of Hagerstown, Md.
There is no
estimating the loss on either side, the rebels losing, in my opinion, two to
our one, while there is any number of prisoners. Our Regiment captured a beautiful stand of colors with the whole
color guard, while the 6th Reserve captured one brass Napoleon 24
pdr. gun.
I was surprised
at our treatment through a portion of the State; while we appeared to be a
curiosity to the dutchmen who flocked to the road to gaze upon our columns in
wonder, they never forgot to charge the boys three prices for anything in the
eating line! Of course there were
exceptions, and these consisted of pure patriotic people who would not take a
cent of pay but gave freely of all they had.
Is this right? Shame on those
who had the brass to ask such an exorbitant price as fifty cents for a loaf of
bread to the poor soldier.
We have no mail
since leaving Fairfax, hence don’t known anything of the outer world. Our mail is said to be captured, which I
hope will not prove true, as I am no doubt interested therein.
But with my best
wishes to all
I am yours
Tinicum
*********************************
Return
to the
Home
page
Text, research, transcription and web
page
By
October, 2003