Headquarters 53d Regiment P. V.,
Falmouth, Virginia,
Wednesday, Jan. 21st, 1863.
Messers. Editors:–For the last few weeks, rumors of moving and orders to move have been all the rage. We received orders to
be ready to move “to-morrow morning” with so many days rations and so much ammunition. Almost before the ink is dry on
the mandate, up gallops an orderly and we are informed that the order is countermanded until “further orders.” And so we
spend the time se-sawing between let-us-go and let-us-stay. But we feel confident that another great battle will be fought ere
long–we may say that the movement has already commenced. Before your readers see this letter another blow will be struck at
this hydra headed rebellion.–Heaven grant that it may be a victorious one. The army is gradually recovering from the
depression of spirits caused by the repulse at Fredericksburg, and we have a buoyant belief that this winter campaign will be
closed with victory to the Federal arms. A bad general may sometimes make a correct mistake, and manage to get the rebels
“on the hips”–a consummation devoutly to be wished. The following order has been read to the troops:
“Headquarters Army of the Potomac,
Camp Near Falmouth, Va.,
January 20th, 1863.”
General Orders No. 7.
“The commanding General announces to the Army of the Potomac that they are about to meet the enemy once more.
“The late brilliant actions in North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas have divided and weakened the enemy on the
Rappahannock, and the auspicious moment seems to have arrived to strike a great and mortal blow at the rebellion and to gain
that decisive victory which is due to the country.
“Let the gallant soldiers of so many brilliant battle-fields accomplish this achievement and a fame most glorious
awaits them.
“The Commanding General calls for the firm support of officers and men, and under the Providence of God, the Army
of the Potomac will have taken a great step towards restoring peace to the country and the Government in its rightful authority.
“By command of Maj. Gen. Burnside.
(signed) Lewis Richmond,
Asst. Adjt. Gen.”
The rebels have for the last week been strengthening their earthworks along the river, immediately opposite this place. They
have also constructed three one-gun batteries–apparently commanding the streets of this town. Heretofore their working par
ties have been down from their main camps without any arms, but yesterday they marched down with their arms, and stacked
their muskets a few yards back of their trenches. Although these offensive rebel works are almost within a stone throw of our
picket line, yet our batteries have the present time of writing remained silent.–Occasionally an officer points a big field glass at
them–for the purpose, I presume, of seeing whether the sub-soil thrown up by the busy “butternuts” is rich enough to grow
Irish potatoes. Capt. Pettit who has command of our batteries on this part of the line is anxious to open on these rebel
earthworks, but he is not permitted to do so, and consequently the Captain smokes his leviathan meerschaum with a
disconsolate air. General Lee’s policy heretofore has been to make a heavy show on his front when he is in fact evacuating his
position. If such is now his policy, and we have reason to believe that it is, than his liveliness along his front argues a change of
position, or a great weakness, in the rebel army of the Rappahannock.
Yesterday the regiment was paid four months pay by Major Potter, our paymaster. This leaves nearly three months
pay still due us. Company A, boys are all well, I believe. Col. Brooke is still commanding Dana’s Brigade–his command
consists of the 127 Pa. Vols. 59th N. Y. 42d N. Y. The gallant 7th Mich. 19th Mass. And 20th Mass.
The regimental organization of the 116th P. V. has, according to orders from Corps Head Quarters, been broken up,
and immediately reorganized as a battalion, consisting of four companies. Of course this action, puts nearly two-thirds of the
commissioned officers out of service. Col. Dennis Heenan and the Lt. Col. Will be discharged from the service–Major
Barnwell is retained. We are pleased to see that our friends Capt. Teed, Lt. W. M. Hobart (Asst. Provost Marshal on Gen.
Hancock’s staff,) Lieut. Willauer, Lieut. Parker and Pieut. Price, all of near our borough, are retained in the new organization.
In keeping these gallant officers in the service, Gen. Hancock, our “superb” division commander, has exercised his usual good
judgment, notwithstanding the fact that “he once had a sweetheart in Pottstown, and must do something for that place.”
It is with feelings of deep regret that we notice the death of Sergeant Joseph B. Davis of Company A, who died at
home, on the morning of January 14th. Sergeant Davis was one of the first to take a stand beneath the unfurlled battle flag of
his country. He answered the first call of the President for troops, by enlisting in the 1st Delaware Regiment of three month’s
men. He served faithfully during the period of his enlistment, and on its expiration he immediately re-enlisted for the war in the
Pottstown company of Col. Brooke’s Regiment. During the march to Warrenton last March he was taken sick; on our return to
Alexandria, he was left in General Hospital at that place, while we embarked for the peninsula. For months he was prostrated
by a severe illness. He rejoined the regiment at Fair Oaks. He fought with great gallantry at the severe engagements of Peach
Orchard, Savage’s Station, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill. The privations and excitements of that horrible week of
battles was too much for his frame, yet feeble from disease, and on our arrival at Harrison’s Landing, he was again prostrated
by a severe indisposition, and shipped to a northern hospital. He is now numbered with the dead–another victim of this
accursed rebellion. His numerous friends in his company and regiment lament his loss as a heavy affliction.
Yours &c.,
L. J. F.
[Montgomery Ledger, January 27, 1863.]
