TULLAHOMA, TENN., July 29th, 1862.
    EDITORS MINERS' JOURNAL:--One of the most brilliant and daring feats of the campaign has just been performed by Major Wynkoop. On Sunday the enemy attacked Murfreesboro, taking a number of prisoners, among others, the 3d battalion of our regiment and its brave commander Major Seibert, ("our Jim.") On Wednesday Major Wynkoop being anxious to join his battalion, (as we were cut off by this attack,) applied at headquarters in Nashville, for a few men to accompany him. He was laughed at there, and told it was utterly impossible to accomplish such a deed, but being determined, the Col. gave him 14 men.
    With this handful of men he went on his way rejoicing. He marched right through Murfreesboro while it was in possession of over 200 Texas Rangers. It was just at dusk, and the enemy could scarcely distinguish their uniforms. They were hailed several times thus--"Hello, boys, whar you going?" and answered by the Major, "Out scouting, I reckon." They passed all right until just as they reached the outskirts of the town, when they were accidentally discovered. Some citizens coming up to give them refreshments, discovered their uniforms, and ran exclaiming, "Yankees, Yankees!" The Major trotted off and tore up a bridge, which put a stop to all pursuit.
    This deed is universally spoken of as the most brilliant and daring act that has occurred in this department.--The Major has become quite a lion, and is pointed out as he rides along, as "the man who did it to them at Murfreesboro."
    Last Tuesday our Company was ordered to take a dispatch to Gen. Wood, who was at Fayetteville, with his division. On our way there we came across a guerilla band, at Lynchburg, whom we routed like sheep, capturing 6 horses. On our return trip on Wednesday, when within five miles of this place, in a deep ravine, the guerillas opened on us from behind trees not 20 yards distant. Lieut. Thompson was in command of the Company, and carried them through with great credit and bravery. By some fortunate chance our loss was only one man. He was shot through both lungs. His name is Wm. O. Jones, from Minersville. He was company farrier. The horse he was riding was shot in six places. I was riding very near him when the firing commenced. He was shot at the first fire and dropped immediately. The whistling of the balls was anything but pleasant.
    The "gallant" 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry is becoming "wiped out" very fast. We left Pennsylvania Dec. 18th, 1861, with 1000 men. Now our whole strength is 600 men. Our company has been particularly fortunate, we having only lost 14 men, viz: 1 died; 1 mortally wounded; 1 slightly wounded and discharged; 2 captured and 9 discharged. Two Majors of our regiment have been taken prisoners--Majors Given and Seibert. There are a great many troops at this place at present, among the rest the 16th Regulars, of which regiment Lieut. Bartholomew is a member. "Bart" looks very well, and is as good natured as ever. Our communications with civilization have been cut off for over a week, so you can imagine the state of mind that Buell's army is in to hear something.
    We had rather a pleasant 4th of July in Shelbyville, as the citizens got up a pic nic for Hambright's brigade. We had a very nice time. Our brigade drilled in the afternoon and it was witnessed by thousands. It must have been a very pretty sight to the spectators to see infantry, cavalry, and artillery drilling together. But it was anything but pleasant to us as it was very hot and dusty, so that when we charged the infantry and artillery, although it might have been splendid, we "didn't see it."                                   B. R.
    P. S.--Jones is not dead as reported. The Dr. has just told me he had hopes of his recovery.

    The following additional particulars in reference to the capture of Major Seibert, are contained in a letter to the Press, dated,

                                                    NASHVILLE, July 23, 1862.
    I have seen in some of the Pennsylvania papers several incorrect accounts relating to the fate of the officers at the fight at Murfreesboro'. I wish particularly to correct that of Major Seibert, of the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, who was at one time reported killed, and at another wounded. About 4 o'clock on the morning of the 13th, three regiments of Texas Rangers, and two regiments of Georgia Cavalry, entered the town of Murfreesboro', to which they were guided by the farmers in the neighborhood. They first came upon the marque occupied by Major Seibert, and would perhaps have passed it altogether, had it not been for one of the men, who raised the fly and was going to shoot, when the Major seeing the number of the enemy, and knowing the danger of such a rash act, pulled him back. They had scarcely got away when the rebels commenced firing into the marque. The Major's cap, which was on the table, was completely riddled with bullets--they then left, not seeing him. He, finding it impossible to get the remaining few of his command out at all, (most of them being on a scout,) worked his way over to the 17th Michigan, where he thought of course the rebels could be driven back. A good thing occurred while he was again trying to get his men in line with the Michigan Boys. He had on a pair of private's pantaloons, and was in his shirt sleeves, got an old musket, put on the bolt, and was standing with his men, when Gen. Duffield, not knowing him in his new suit, said to him, "Why don't you get into line?" whereupon the Major took his place in the ranks. When the General again came along the line, he said, "what has become of Major Seibert?" The Major laughingly, came walking out of the ranks, saying, "Here I am." The General apologized, and laughingly said, "that is a pretty good joke." The Major is [alive?] (word covered by inkblot-chw), but is a prisoner with General Crittenden, Colonel Lester, Colonel Parkhurst, and a lot of captains and lieutenants. All of the privates who were captured were released at McMinville, but the officers were taken to Chattanooga. I regret the capture of the young Major. He is a fine officer, and has won not only the highest respect of both officers and men of his regiment, but is acknowledged to be a universal favorite with all who know him. He was at the time of the breaking out of the rebellion practising law very successfully at Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and was among the first to respond to the call of the President, and served as Lieut.-Colonel in the 6th Pennsylvania infantry. After the expiration of the term of enlistment, he returned home, and was actively engaged in recruiting for the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, which for some months past have done much service in Tennessee.         P. P.

Source:

B. R., "Letters From Our Volunteers, From the 7th Reg. Pa. Cavalry, Col. G. C. Wynkoop, Commanding," The Miners' Journal and Pottsville General Advertiser, Pottsville, Pa., Saturday, 9 August 1862, page 2, col. 6.