1 Bucks County Intelligencer, From the 104th Regiment. November 25, 1862 Page 2 Col. 4 1
LETTERS FROM OUR VOLUNTEERS.
From the 104th Regiment.
GLOUCESTER
POINT, Va., Nov. 16, 1862.
Messrs. Editors :—To-day there is more excitement
in camp. There has not been such an exciting time since
we have been quartered at this place. On Thursday even-
ing last, while we were on picket, a citizen came to our
lines and reported that a number of rebel cavalry were
stationed near a store, and intended to make a dash upon
our pickets on that or the following night. Word was im-
mediately sent to Colonel Davis, commanding the post,
and in a short time we were reinforced by two companies
—company E, of our regiment, and a company of the
100th New York. On the following evening, two com-
panies were sent out, one from each regiment. Still the
rebels did not disturb us. But last evening, while com-
pany D, of our regiment, was out, the picket was suddenly
attacked by a squad of rebel cavalry, or guerrillas, and
one of our men was killed, two were wounded, and three
are missing. I will not give you the particulars, but
leave them for “L. H. M.,” who will no doubt give you
a full account of the affair. He was out with his company.
I know nothing but camp reports, which are pretty gen-
erally circulated through the regiment. Each one tells a
different story. Yesterday a squadron of cavalry and a
piece of artillery came over from Yorktown, to make a
reconnoisance towards Gloucester Court House. They
have not yet returned. I learn that they were beyond the
above mentioned store, where the men of Company D were
stationed when attacked. We have tried several times to
capture a rebel mail which frequently passes from this
store to Richmond, but as yet we have been unable to do
so. We were informed by a citizen, while on picket the
other day, that letters were posted at the store, which is
half a mile from our line. I think it strange that we al-
low citizens inside of our lines to pass over into rebeldom,
for they can give the enemy information concerning our
forces here. There should be an end put to this, and no
one be allowed to pass from side to side. There are some
of the strongest kind of secessionists within our lines,
who have passes to go beyond the pickets. One day last
week there was considerable cannonading at Yorktown—
I believe they were practicing—and the rebels thought
that Wise had made an attack. They were terribly fright-
ened—thinking that he could not succeed, and that his
whole force would be captured.
—Since the above was written, our cavalry have re-
turned, bringing in three prisoners and a rebel mail, I am
told. The prisoners were in citizens’ dress. Two had
been standing picket about four miles from our lines, and
the third was secreted under a bed. There are so many
camp reports astir that I will not undertake to describe
what has taken place within the last twenty-four hours.
“ L. H. M.” was in the affair, and will no doubt give you
a full and true account. All enjoy good health. T. C.
GLOUCESTER POINT, VA., Nov. 18th, 1862.
Messrs. Editors :—During the past week an attack
was expected on this place, several times, by rebel cavalry,
said to be encamped beyond Gloucester Court House. The
garrison was on the alert and prepared to meet any emer-
gency. A reconnoissance was made by two companies of
the Fifth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and one piece of artil-
lery. They left the Point at 11 o’clock, on Saturday
night, and went beyond Gloucester Court House. They
returned on Sunday afternoon, having arrested three
rebels, one a captain of an independent company of
Rangers, as they are termed by the rebels. These
Rangers are the Guerilla bands so common in the rebel
service—during the day-time they are farmers, and at
night time organized bands of robbers and murderers.—
There is an extensive organization of these Guerillas who
parole Gloucester, King and Queen counties. They arrest
deserters from the rebel army and slaves who threaten to
leave the hospitalities of their loved masters and have
them sent to Richmond. On last Saturday evening; in-
formation was brought to Post Headquarters that a large
force of cavalry was about two miles from the picket line.
The garrison was aroused immediately—companies B and
D, of the 104th Regiment, in charge of Lieut. L. H.
Markley, were ordered out to support the pickets. Lieut.
Markley and ten men, were posted at the Hook store,
about one mile from the main picket line, as out-post
pickets. After being on post nearly four hours, a force
of cavalry was heard to approach. When coming within
thirty yards of the post, they were halted by the Lieu-
tenant, and were asked : “Who are you and where do
you belong?” They asked : “Who are you ?” The re-
ply made was “Union Picket!” The question, “ Who
are you and where do you belong ?” was again asked
them, when they replied “Federal Army!” Then they
were asked : “ What regiment do you belong to !” They
replied, “One Hundred and Seventh Pennsylvania!”—
Before they had scarcely answered the last question, they
opened a deadly volley on the pickets, which was im-
mediately repeated by a second volley. Private Peter
Baltz, of Company D, was killed. A negro, who was in
a house near by, says they took him prisoner and after-
wards shot him for refusing to mount a horse. Nathaniel
A. Heller, of Company D, was badly wounded in the head
and breast, but is supposed not mortally. Mr. Heller
says that after being shot, he laid on the ground and pre-
tended to be dead—they came to him, rolled him round,
took his gun, overcoat, belt and cartridge box, after which
they left and he came into the lines. George C. Geary
and Hillary Trumbower were also wounded, but not
seriously. Sergt. Levi A. Rosenberger and Sergt. Fen-
wick Leatherbery and private Henry Shelly are missing,
supposed to be prisoners. The rest made a most provi-
dential escape. H.
GLOUCESTER POINT, Va., Nov. 20, 1862.
Messrs. Editors :—I again resume my pen to you after
returning from picket duty. Our picket line has been ad-
vanced some three hundred yards since I last wrote to you.
It is in a much better place ; and if we are again attacked
by guerilla scouts, we will have the advantage of them,
having an open field in front of our lines, and part of the
line we have woods to retreat in. No one is allowed to
come near our lines to sell or trade, and none to come
near unless they come to claim protection of our Govern-
ment. They are terribly frightened outside of the lines
at a place called Hook’s Store—the place where those men
were shot that I spoke of in my last. Gen. Naglee was at
the store a day or two ago, seized the key, locked the store
door, and came away. He also took the key belonging to
the mill, and locked it. He has since taken the mill into
his own hands, and it is now run by the soldiers belonging
to Uncle Sam. To-day, five companies from the 100th
N. Y. have gone out reconnoitering. They took some ten
Government wagons along with them, to bring in a lot of
stores that they see fit to capture. I understand that they
are under command of Gen. Naglee; If so, the wagons
will not come back empty. Our Colonel is having things
fixed nicely here at the fort. We have a splendid com-
missary building, and are ? having snug cook houses
built. They are to be large enough to accommodate two
companies, with an apartment between them. When all
are completed we will be very comfortably fixed for the
winter months. The paymaster has not yet made his ap-
pearance. We all would be pleased to see him again, as
the green-backs are becoming scarce. I hope that he will
not delay his visit, as many of the married men’s families
are in need of money, and the cold and chilly days of
winter will soon be upon them. They brought with them
sheep, cattle, grain—such as corn, wheat and oats. Their
expedition proved to be a good one. We never go for
nothing. Company I is ordered out on special duty this
evening. Are they going to recapture their stores’. T. C.