COMPANY H, 173d REGIMENT-Continued. Drumheller, John Ditty, William T. Fisher, William H. Fisher, Charles F. Omer, Robert Frometer, Jacob Heilner, Isaac N. Heckler, Jacob Hughes, John Hogentogler, William Kleinsmith, Nicholas May, Philip Martin, William J. Nolan, Martin Commissioned Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, Musicians, Privates, Paul, Jacob Roderon, Valentine Robertson, George Strauble, George Schapbell, Frank F. Schredley, Andrew THE FIRST BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. Early in December, 1862, General Burnside, then in command of the Army of the Potomac, crossed the Rappahannock River and occupied Fredericksburg, the Rebels retiring to their works in the rear of the town. Every preparation having been made, on Saturday, December 13, General Burnside moved upon the enemy's position; Sumner's Division forming the right of the Union line; Hooker's the centre, and Franklin's the left. The National troops fought bravely and stubbornly all day, and even gained some advantages on the left, but they could not perform impossibilities, and at night they were in a position before the rebel fortifications clearly explained in the following dispatch from General Burnside to General Halleck: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TU POTOMAC, } December 16-6 P. M. MAJOR-GENERAL HALLECK, Commander-in-Chief: The Army of the Potomac was withdrawn to this side of the Rappahannock River, because I felt fully convinced that the position in front could not be carried, and it was a military necessity either to attack the enemy or retire. A repulse would have been disastrous to us under existing circumstances. The army was withdrawn at night without the knowledge of the enemy, and without loss, either of property or men. AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE, The forces did not renew the fighting on Sunday and Monday, and on Monday night the entire army was withdrawn safely to the north bank of the Rappahannock River. Not a single man or gun was lost in the retrograde movement. In this severe contest Schuylkill County was represented by the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth, Forty-eighth, and Ninety-sixth Regiments. The latter Regiment was not immediately engaged, and did not suffer so severely as the first-named commands. THE PART THE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT TOOK IN THE BATTLE. The following graphic account of the part the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment took in the battle, was written a few days after by one of its officers: CAMP NEAR FALMOUTH, VA., December 20, 1862. DEAR : I have been so busy for the last few days making out the returns and reports for the Regiment, that it has been impossible for me to sit down and write you after the terrible battle in which we were engaged on the 13th. I escaped without injury, which seems to me almost miraculous, for the bullets and shell flew about me most plenti |
