USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 21
USA > Pennsylvania > Carbon County > History of the counties of Lehigh and Carbon, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Pt. 1 > Part 21
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COMPANY D. Mustered in April 24, 1861.
G. D. Hand, captain ; C. A. G. Keck, first lieutenant; Enoch Phillips, second lieutenant; Levi Stubler, first sergeant; William Semmer, second sergeant ; Tilghman Miller, third sergeant; Morgan Rich- ards, fourth sergeant; Charles Nolf, Jr., first corporal ; Richard Wilson, second corporal ; William Williams, third corporal ; Gran- ville JIangams, fourth corporal ; Henry Stressen, musician ; William Miller, nisician.
Privates.
Arthur, Samuel. Lewellyn, Thomas.
Barrow, Samuel C.
Meyers, William H.
Baumeister, William C.
Morrison, John.
Clement, Dugh.
Michael, Charles If.
Craft, Levi. Manley, Lewis.
Crogan, Richard.
McClosky, John.
Cooney, Michael.
McGee, Cornelius.
Dettwiler, Henry.
Mellecker, John.
Davis, Isaac, McHoes, Joshua.
Daniel, Daniel.
Patrick, John.
Edwards, Evan. Panly, William H.
Elliott, James. Paul, William.
Eckenberger, Henry.
Rnse, David.
Fondran, Benedict.
Rohn, Wilson.
Graham, John.
Ritter, Augustus.
Grate, John.
Schwab, Joshua.
Hopkins, William.
Snyder, William T.
Hopkins, John.
Snyder, James R.
Hughes, James.
Sattenfuse, William H
Henty, Francis.
Schlosser, William.
Hetthenson, James.
Smith, Samuel.
Hammerly, Robert.
Smith, Stephen.
Hacker, Jacob.
Steinberger, Henry.
Jones, Joseph.
Tombler, David A.
Kramsie, Edwards. Vansychell, James.
Kone, John.
Vonland, Charles.
Kick, Lorentz. Wilson, Frank H.
Keiser, Edwin.
William, Robert.
Keiser, William.
Werly, William.
Leister, Tilglunan.
Wolf, Abraham.
Lock wood, Sammel.
Xandres, Francis.
Leister, Peter.
Young, James.
The Forty-sixth Regiment (Three Years' Service). -Immediately after the mustering out of the three months' men, Arnold C. Lewis, then editor and pub- lisher of the Catasauqua Herald, commenced recruiting a company for the three years' service, whielt eventu- ally became Company C of the Forty-sixth Regiment. The company was composed, in part only, of men
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Saeger, Richard M. Staliley, Christian. Schwenk, Charles. Steele, Joseph. Stuber, James.
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LEHIGH COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
from Catasauqua and vicinity, and the regiment was recruited in Northampton, Allegheny, Potter, Berks, Dauphin, and other counties. The men of Company C were mustered into service Aug. 17, 1861.
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The regimental organization was completed at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg, on September Ist, as fol- lows: Col. Joseph F. Knipe, Lieut .- Col. James L. Selfridge, Maj. Arnold C. Lewis. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Shenandoah, and was posted on the Upper Potomac, along the Maryland shore, near Harper's Ferry. Soon after its arrival it was assigned to the First Brigade of the Second Di- vision, under the command of Gen. Williams. On the 24th of February, 1862, they crossed the Potomae, and under Gen. Banks occupied in turn Leesburg, Charlestown, Martinsburg, and Winchester. Their first engagement with the rebels was at or near Kerns- town, and on the 25th of May, 1862, they participated in the battle of Winchester, where the Union army, numbering seven thousand men, contended with Jackson's forces of twenty thousand for five hours. In this fight the Forty sixth lost in killed, wounded, and missing, seventeen men. On the 7th of August, 1862, they were ordered towards Cedar Mountain, and on the 9th, about 5 P.M., the whole division was advanced upon the rebel lines. The position of the Forty-sixth was opposite the enemy's advanced ar- tillery, and upon this they charged with desperate valor. They were fearfully exposed to the enemy's artillery and strong lines of concealed infantry, which poured in upon them a merciless storm of shot and shell. The total loss of the regiment was thirty killed, thirty-four wounded, and six taken prisoners. In the battle of Antietam they supported Ricketts' division, and advanced, carrying the woods to the right of and beyond the cornfield. Their loss in this battle was six killed and three wounded. Upon the inauguration of the Fredericksburg campaign the Forty-sixth was ordered forward from Fairfax, but did not arrive upon the field in time to be engaged. In the reorganization of the army the Forty-sixth was made part of the Twelfth. On the 27th of April, 1868, the corps marched north to Kelly's Ford, crossed the Rappahannock and the Rapidan, and moved to Chancellorsville, and was here joined by the Third and Fifth Corps. The army under Gen. Hooker ad- vanced May 1st, and was met by Stonewall Jackson's corps on the 2d, about sundown. Fighting imme- diately commenced, and was continued the whole night, and until the evening of the third, both armies losing heavily. The Forty-sixth lost four killed, a large number wounded, and ten taken prisoners. On the evening of July Ist the regiment arrived at Get- tysburg, and was posted on the summit of Culp's Hill. The Forty-sixth held the extreme right of the line as far as Spangler's Spring, and owing to their sheltered position the loss was small.
After the withdrawal of Lee's army into Virginia the Forty-sixth was forwarded, with the Eleventh and 6
Twelfth Corps, to the Rapidan and was there detached from the Army of the Potomac and ordered to the support of Gen. Rosecrans, in Tennessee. In Jan- uary, 1864, a large proportion of the officers and men of the Forty-sixth re-enlisted for a second term of three years, and joined Gen. Sherman's army at Chat- tanooga and entered the Twentieth Corps, the old Eleventh and Twelfth being consolidated. They par- ticipated in all of the battles fought under Sherman after that date, the most important of which were Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw, Peach-Tree Creek, Pine Knob, Marietta, and Atlanta. In these several en- gagements their loss in killed and wounded was about one hundred and fifty men. On Sept. 1, 1864, At- lanta surrendered, and the hard fighting of the regi- ment was now over.
On the 11th of November, Sherman commeneed | his march to the sea. On the 21st of December he reached Savannah ; on the 17th of February, Colum- bia ; on the 17th of March, Goldsboro'. On the 26th of April, Johnson surrendered at Raleigh, and the army immediately commenced its homeward march, and on the 16th of July the Forty-sixth, after nearly four years of faithful service, was mustered out. An order was given to muster out at Alexandria, Va., but the regiment was not broken until it reached Harris- burg .!
Following is the roster of the Lehigh men in Com- pany C of this regiment :
. FORTY-SIXTH REGIMENT. COMPANY C. Mustered in Ang. 17, 18G1 ; mustered out July 16, 1865.
Arnold C. Lewis, elected capt. Aug. 17, 1861; maj. Sept. 4, 1861 ; killed Sept. 22, 1861, by private John Lanehan, of Co. I, while attempting to enforce discipline in a case of insubordination. (Lanchan was hanged for the crime near Frederick City, Md., Dec. 23, 1861.)
W. R. Thomas, elected 2d lieut. Aug. 17, 186 !; Ist lient, Sept. 1, 1861.
Joseph Matchette, pro, to corp. Sept. 1, 1861 ; to 5th sergt. ; to Ist sergt. ; to Ist lient. Nov. 1, 1562; to capt, of Co. I, July 27, 1864.
James McQuillen, pro. to corp. Nov. 4, 1861; to sergt. March 4, 1862; to 2d lieut. March 20, 1864; to Ist lieut. July 27, 1864.
Robert Wilson, pro, to Ist sergt .; to 2d lieut. ; killed at Cedar Mountain Ang. 9, 1862.
Isaac Davis, pro, to corp. Det. 31, Iso1; to sergt. Aug. 31, 1863; to 1st Sorgt. May 29, 186%.
Daniel Davis, pro, to corp. Nov. 6, 1863 ; to sergt, May 22, 1865.
Edward Cramsic, pro, to 2d liont. Co, E. May 22, 1865.
Morgan Richards, pro, to 5th sergt. ; drowned near Edenberg, Va., April 4, 1862.
William McMonagle, pro, to corp. April 8, 1864.
John Moore, pro. to corp. April 8, 1564.
John Patrick, pro. to corp. May 22, 1865.
Robert E. Williams, pro, to corp. Aug. 17, 1861 ; severely wounded at Cedar Mountain; disabled for service and hon. disch. on surg. certif. Nov. 15, 1802.
John J. Davis, pro. to corp. April 4, 1862; to sorgt. Nov. 9, 1863.
Ingh Lyons, pro, to corp. Aug. 30, 1863.
John Il. Price, pro, to corp. Sept. 14, 1861.
Privates.
Wallace Brown, killed at Cedar Monntain Ang. 9, 1862.
Daniel Desmond, wounded at Cedar Mountain ; disabled for service and hon. disch. ou surg. certif. Oct. 15, 1862.
! From an article by Col. M. H. Horn, in the Catasauqua Valley Record of March 9, 1876.
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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
John Leo, wounded in battle, and trans. to Vet. Res. Corps Nov. 1, 1863.
John McQuillen, must, out on surg. sick certif. Nov. 24, 1862.
David Bachman, died at Philadelphia June 15, 1865.
Daniel Dyer, hon. disch, on surg. sick certif. July 14, 1862.
Alexander Doneglily, wounded in battle; hon. disch. (disabled) on surg. certif. Nov. 27, 1862.
John Cannon, drowned with Morgan Richards, near Edenberg, Va., April 4,1862.
Andrew Sinly, wounded in action ; died Aug. 16, 1864.
Philip Ilill, hon, disch, on surg, sick certif. as unfit for duty Nov. 11, 1862.
George Hasson; wounded at Cedar Mountain Aug. 9, 1862; died Sept. 7, 1862; grave at Alexandria, Va., No. 235.
John Kilpatrick, hon, disch. on surg. certif, as disabled Oct. 26, 1862.
James Melaughlin, hon. disch. on surg. certif. as unfil for service Oct. 10, 1862.
David McCandles, killed at Chancellorsville, Va., May 2, 1863.
Patrick Reily, trans, to Vet. Kes, Corps Dec. 15, 1863.
John A. Richards, wounded at Cedar Mountain Aug. 9, 1862; died soon after in the field.
W. S. Thompson, hon. disch. on surg. certif. as unfit for service Feb. 21, 1863.
Frank Ward, died at Hancock, Md., Feb. 15, 1862.
Patrick Sullivan, hon. disch. on surg. certif. as unfit for service Feb. 13, 1863.
John Blair, hon, disch. on surg. certif. April 13, 1863, as mifit for service.
Philip Gallagher.
James Adams.
Thomas Mooney, must. into service Jan. 7, 1864.
James McCracken, inst. into service Dec. 31, 1863.
Condy Pollock.
John Reed, must, into service Jan. 3, 1864.
Edward Rogers.
Samnel Zellner, disch, by General Order Oct. 22, 1862.
Edward Mullen.
John McFadden, must. into service Feb. 29, 1864 ; absent, sick, at muster out.
Il. W. Elrit, mist. into service Jan. 1, 1864."
Benjamin Beidelman, must, into service March 3, 1861.
Jeremiah Keef, must. into service Jan. 1, 1864.
Thomas MeMurtrie, must. into service March 9, 1864.
Solomon J. Rowe, mist. into service Feb. 29, 186).
Elias Beidelman, must. into service Feb. 26, 1864.
William MeGonegle, must. into service May 11, 1861.
James McClellan, must. into service April 7, 1864 ; must. ont July 8, 1865.
John Brown, must. into service Feb. 29, 1864.
John MeMuririe, must. into service Dec. 31, 1863.
William Pritchard, must. into service March 11, 1861.
The Forty-seventh Regiment (Three Years' Ser- vice) .- This regiment in the three years' service was reeninted principally through the inthence and exer- tions of Col. Tilghman 11. Good, of Allentown, who was granted his authority by Governor Curtin on the 5th of August, 1861. Companies A and E were raised at Easton, B, G, I, and K at Allentown, C at Sun- bury, D at Bloomfield, Perry Co., F at Catasauqua, and HI at Newport, Perry Co., and at Harrisburg. It will thus be seen that five companies, forming one- half the strength of the regiment, were recruited in Lehigh County. Companies B, E, and G, as also a por- tion of Company 1, had previously served in the First Regiment, during the three months' service; D, in the Second; A and a portion of I, in the Ninth; C, in the Eleventh ; and K, in the Twenty-fifth. The com- panies rendezvoused at Camp Curtin, and on the Ist of September the following field officers were ap- pointed: Tilghman H. Good, colonel; G. W. Alex-
ander, lieutenant-colonel; and William H. Gausler major; James W. Fuller, Jr., was appointed adju- tant. Schools of instruction for officers were insti- tuted, and although but little opportunity was pre- sented for drill, the command was brought to a high degree of proficiency in discipline. The various com- panies were uniformed and equipped as they were mustered in, at dates varying from August 19th to September 20th.
The Forty-seventh proceeded from the State to the national capital, arriving there on September 21st, and being stationed ou Kalorama Heights until the 27th, when it was ordered to join the advance of the army. It encamped at Fort Ethan Allen and was assigned to the Third Brigade of Gen. W. F. Smith's divi- sion, under Gen. J. J. Stevens, which comprised be- sides the Thirty-third, Forty-ninth, and Seventy- ninth New York Regiments. The Forty-seventh had been armed by the State with the Mississippi rifle and drilled exclusively in light infantry tactics. Its commanding officer was a strict disciplinarian, having for years commanded the Allen Rifles, a com- pany well known in Pennsylvania for its efficient drill. As winter approached the soldiers of this regi- ment received in the form of blankets, gloves, and articles of clothing practical proofs that they were remembered by their friends at home. During the bitterly cold night of September 28th the Forty-sev- enth occupied the fort and momentarily expected an attack. At four o'clock in the morning they heard the heavy firing which they supposed to indicate an engagement with the enemy on the part of some of the other regiments encamped in the vicinity, and hastily forming the men marched at double quick three miles in the direction of the sound to reinforee their comrades. But it was found that through a sad mistake the Sixty-ninth and Seventy-first Pennsyl- vania Regiments had been firing upon each other.
The regiment moved with the brigade and division to Camp Griffin, and on October 11th took part in the grand review at Bailey's Cross-Roads. On the 20th of December it was ordered to take part in the battle of Dranesville, but the enemy retreated before it reached the field. On Jan. 22, 1862, the regiment was ordered, at the request of Brig .- Gen. Brannan, then commanding the Third Brigade, to accompany him to Key West, Fla. On the following day it left Washington for Annapolis, embarked on the steam- ship "Oriental" on the 27th, and arrived at Key West February 4th. It was then brigaded with the Seventh New Hampshire and the Ninetieth and Ninety-first New York, all under the command of Gen. Brannan. While in Florida the regiment suf- fered much from fevers incidental to the climate, and many of its members died. At length, upon the 18th of June, to the relief and joy of all, it embarked for Hilton Head, S. C., where it arrived on the 22d. In July it moved to Beanfort, where it was brigaded with the Sixth Connecticut, Seventh New Hampshire, and
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LEHIGH COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Eighth Maine. It being necessary to picket the en- tire island, and a large portion of the force being sent North, the duty devolving upon those who remained beeame exceedingly onerous, but the men of the Forty-seventh bore their full share, and the regiment received the highest commendation from Gens. Hun- ter and Brannan for its attention to duty and fine discipline.
Soon after Gen. O. M. Mitchell assumed command of the Department of the South, about the middle of September, an expedition was fitted out to penetrate Florida and remove the obstructions in the St. Jolin's River. For this purpose a force was selected, con- sisting of the Forty-seventh Pennsylvania, Seventh Connecticut, First Connecticut Battery, and one com- pany of the First Massachusetts Cavalry, all under eommand of Gen, Brannan. Landing at Maysport Mills on the 1st of October, the campaign was opened by operations direeted against St. John's Bluff, a strongly-fortified point five miles from the mouth of the St. John's River. Making a detour of twenty- five miles through pine woods and swamps, the
effect; the enemy fled precipitately and in panic. Pursuit was made, and after a chase of four miles the enemy was found in foree at Pocotaligo bridge, under command of Gen. Walker. A ravine extended along their front. The Forty-seventh was ordered to relieve the Seventh Connecticut, and forming upon the edge of the stream, kept up for two hours a steady and ef- feetive fire. But they received a storm more terrible than they sent, for the rebels in their strong intrench- ments obtained a large reinforcement, and poured forth a murderous fire upon the Union line. The ammunition of the artillery being completely ex- hausted, and night coming on, the command was withdrawn to Mackey's Point. Capts. Mickley and Junker and fourteen enlisted men were killed and one hundred and fourteen wounded. Both officers and men were complimented in general orders for their gallantry. Returning to Hilton Head on the 23d, the Forty-seventh was, a week later, detailed as escort at the burial of Gen. Mitchell, and fired the salute over his grave.
The Forty-seventh was ordered to Key West, Fla., Forty-seventh constantly in the advanee, and almost : on the 15th of November, and arrived there on the incessantly skirmishing with and driving the enemy before them, the command bivouacked at night in the rear of the fort. The gunboats were constantly ex- changing shots with the rebels in their works during the night. In the morning the brigade was formed and advaneed to the assault, but they found that the Confederate Gen. Finnegan, who was in command, had evacuated under cover of the darkness, leaving eleven pieces of artillery and a great quantity of am- munition. Companies B and E, under command of Capt. Yard, were sent in pursuit of the retreating foe, and, after a sharp skirmish, took possession of Jack- sonville, Fla. Thence the two companies proceeded, on the 6th of October, by steamer " Darlington," two hundred miles up the river, where the rebel steamer "Governor Milton" was captured and safely conveyed within the Union lines. The loss to the Forty-seventh in these successful operations was but two wounded. 18th. Here a detachment of five companies, under command of Col. Good, was ordered to garrison Fort Taylor, and the remaining five, under Lieut .- Col. Alexander, to garrison Fort Jefferson. At this time the military importance of these posts was very great. A strenuous effort to secure foreign inter- vention was being made by the Confederate govern- ment, and with some prospect of success. In his instructions to Col. Good the general commanding says, "It is hardly necessary to point out to you the extreme military importance of the two works now intrusted to your command. Suffice it to state that they cannot pass out of our hands without the great- est possible disgrace to whoever may condnet their defense and to the nation at large. In view of diffi- eulties that may soon culminate in war with foreign powers, it is eminently necessary that these works should be immediately placed beyond any possibility On the 21st the command proceeded to destroy the railroad bridge over the Pocotaligo, and sever com- minication between Charleston and Savannah. A landing was effected at Mackey's Point, and with the Forty-seventh again in advance the force marched to- wards the bridge, Col. Good being in command of the brigade and Lient .- Col. Alexander in command of the regiment. The brigade had marched but a few miles when, coming out into an open region, it re- ceived a heavy fire from a rebel tield battery. The brigade was deployed to the front, and drove the enemy from their position. A little farther on, at. Frampton, the rebels were found posted in a wood with infantry and artillery, while in their front was an open cotton-field. The brigade was formed in line of battle with two companies thrown forward as skir- mishers, and charged upon the enemy in the face of a terrific fire. This bold movement had the desired | of seizure by any naval or military force that may be thrown upon them from neighboring ports. . . . Seizure of these forts by coup de main may be the first act of hostilities instituted by foreign powers, and the comparative isolation of their position, and their distance from reinforcements, point them out (in- dependent of their national importance) as peculiarly the object of such an effort to possess them." Recog- nizing the imminent peril to which they were exposed, without a moment's delay the entire available force was employed to place the forts in the best possible condition of defense, and the efforts were unremitting until every means at command were brought into requisition to render them impregnable. In these positions, with Col. Good in command, the regiment remained until the 25th of February, 1864. In the mean time five hundred men of the regiment had re-enlisted and received a veteran furlough. The
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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Forty-seventh was highly complimented at various times during its occupancy of Key West for its efli- cieney, and continually enjoyed the confidence of the department commander.
In obedience to orders received Feb. 25, 1864, the regiment proceeded to Franklin, La., where it was assigned to the Second Brigade of the First Di- vision, Nineteenth Army Corps. An expedition was fitting out at Franklin, under command of Gen. Banks, to proceed up the Red River, and on March 15th it moved, infantry, eavalry, and artillery, by way of New Iberia, Vermilionville, Opelousas, and Washington to Alexandria, where it was joined by the command of Gen. A. J. Smith, and a fleet of gun- boats under command of Commodore Porter. After a few days' rest it again moved forward, following the course of the Red River toward Shreveport, which was to be the point of attack. The line of march from Natchitoches was through a country affording no forage and but little water. The regiment en- camped on the night of April 7th at Pleasant Hill, and on the following day marched until three o'clock P.M., when the column halted. Firing had beeu heard in the front for some time, and the Forty- seventh was hurriedly formed and sent forward at double quick, passing the Second Division of the Nineteenth Corps. As it approached the scene of action, infantry, cavalry, and artillery, in a confused mass, were met hurrying toward the rear. The bri- gade was brought into position on a small elevation. Scareely had this been done when the rebels, flushed by victory, eame sweeping on in hot pursuit of the retreating Union troops. A well-directed volley at short range from the half-eoneealed battle-line which had been hastily formed suddenly brought them to a halt. Infantry and artillery had poured a storm of lead and irou into their ranks which literally mowed them down. The rebel line wavered and fell back, but again pressed forward bravely, and was again repulsed. Moore, iu his " Rebellion Record," says, " Volley after volley was discharged from each side full into the ; ranks of their opponents, but neither gave signs of yielding, and night charitably threw her mantle over the ghastly scene, and enforced a cessation of hostili- ties, The wounded of both armies lay during the night between the lines, and their groaus aud cries for water were most distressing. Shortly after mid- night the command was withdrawn, and, wearied and worn, it returned to Pleasant Hill on the 9th. The loss was near sixty meu killed and wounded, and among the former was Lient. Swoyer, of Company K. At Pleasant Hill the regimeut was posted on the right of the line, with its right resting on a high bluff. The enemy, under command of " Diek" Taylor, made an attack at mid-day, and the battle raged with great fury until five o'clock P.M. In the middle of the afternoon the Forty-seveuth was ordered from the right to the left of the line, and while passing by the flank, in the rear of the One Hundred and Sixty-
fifth, repelled a charge made against that regiment, and before which they had fallen baek. Then the Forty-seventh made an impetuous counter-charge, and a desperate enconnter ensued, in which the rebels were driven baek and several pieces of artillery cap- tured. Lieut .- Col. Alexander was severely wounded, and Color-Sorgt. Benjamin F. Walls was wounded, as was also Sergt. Pyers, of Company C, who seized the colors when Walls was obliged to relinquish them.
Gen. Banks, notwithstanding the victory at Pleasant Hill, was obliged to retreat to Grand Ecore, which place was strongly fortified. There the army remained until the 22d, when the retreat to Alexandria was commenced, which place was reached on the 25th, after a light engagement with the enemy at Cave Hill. During this expedition the Forty-seventh marched eight hundred miles, and lost, by sickness, killed, wounded, and missing, two hundred men. On the 16th of May the army reached Sinsport, and crossed the Atebafalaya on a bridge of steamers. Subse- quently the regiment moved to New Orleans, and was ordered from there to Washington, where it arrived on July 12, 1864. As a part of the Nineteenth Corps, under Gen. Hunter, the Forty-seventh was engaged in the defense of the capital, and in expelling the rebel army from Maryland. Gen. Sheridan was soon after placed in command of the forces concentrated here, and proceeded to reorganize what was thereafter known as the Army of the Shenandoah.
On the 19th of September the regiment, posted on the extreme right of the corps, engaged in the battle of Opequan. At two o'clock A.M. Gen. Sheridan drew out his entire foree, determined to carry the enemy's works by assault. The First Division of the Nine- teenth Corps, to which the Forty-seventh was attached, fought with great gallantry, and sustained heavy loss. The grand charge of Gen. Crook's forces and the cavalry under Averill was inade through the line held by this regiment. The rebels fell back to Fish- er's Hill, eight miles south of Winchester, where they were found on the 21st strongly posted. The Forty- seventh deployed as skirmishers, and charged the enemy's works. Owing to the abruptness of the as- cent the rebels were unable to depress their guus, and the men suffered little loss. The pursuit of the re- treating foe was continued during the entire night, and until it reached Port Republic. The command soon after returned, and encamped at Cedar Creek.
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