A SOLDIER'S LETTERS FROM THE FIELD.

BY CHARLES A. LUCAS, CAPTAIN OF CO. D., 24TH IA.

(Continued from January, 1902, number of the Record.) CTOBER 6, about 6 A. M., we left Harrisonburg. It was a general movement of our army. Our company marched as skirmishers on the flanks of our division. We marched as usual in several columns. Our army corps was in the rear, the 6th and 8th Corps in front. We marched about twenty-two miles that day and halted about four miles north of New Market, where we arrived at 5 P. M., and stopped for the night at the same place where the rebels had built fortifications after their defeat at Strasburg, or Fisher's Hill. Nothing extraordinary happened during the march. We met no enemy. We had

cloudy weather, now and then a shower-quite warm. The march was long and tiresome. We could see buildings, stacks, etc., burning in every direction. A good many citizens are leaving the Shenandoah Valley and are going north.

October 7, 6 A. M., we left camp. Our army corps acted as rear guard. About 3 P. M. we passed through Edenburg. About 7:30 P. M., we marched through Woodstock, and at 9 P. M. we stopped for the night about three miles from this place. We marched about twenty miles that day. Nothing of special interest transpired during our march. It was a day of showers and quite warm.

October 8, 6 A. M., we left camp. Our army corps was in front. We marched about six miles, halted and formed in line of battle. The 6th and 8th corps took position behind us, near Fisher's Hill. A part of these corps acted as rear guard. About 10 A. M., we heard cannonading a few miles behind us, but it turned out to be nothing serious.

About 3 P. M., our corps was in motion. We arrived near Strasburg about 8 P. M., halted and stopped for the night.

On the same day about 9 P. M. I was ordered on picket duty with forty-five men of our regiment. The night passed off quietly.

October 9, about 7 A. M., we heard cannonading and also musketry firing about four miles southwest of Strasburg, this firing lasted for a few hours, and seemed to be quite serious. It was by the rebels, who, having learned that we were marching toward Strasburg, undertook to follow our rear guard; but they soon found themselves in a trap. Our troops took from them about forty wagons, seven pieces of artillery, and about 200 prisoners.

To-day, October 10, everything is quiet. Excuse this poor writing. I am in a hurry, and, as usual in the field, the sod is my chair, and my knee, upon which I have a book about one inch thick and ten inches square, is my writing desk. We expect to leave here at any moment. We have not received any pay yet, and so please keep on sending me money in letters as usual.

LXI.

IN THE FIELD NEAR CEDAR CREEK, VA., ABOUT FIVE MILES NORTHWEST FRom StrasburG, October 17, 1864.

In this letter, I will only say a few words about what has transpired since October 10: That same day about 2 P. M., we were in motion. Marched about six miles and halted near Cedar Creek, about five miles northwest of Strasburg, where we arrived about 4:30 P. M. We left Fisher's Hill at the mercy of the rebels. Nothing extraordinary happened during that day. The weather was clear but there was a cold northwest wind.

October II. Cold night. Nothing of special interest transpired that day. I saw about two hundred of the prisoners who were taken last Sunday morning. were wearing a part of our uniform I just learned that I. M. Ritter, of our

A number of them pants and overcoat. company, died in the

hospital at Winchester, about the 4th instant; and that C. F.

Bumgardner died on the 8th, from the effects of wounds received at Winchester on September 19.

October 12. Cold night. All quiet. Fine healthful weather. October 13. Continuation of fine weather.

About 3 P. M., we heard cannonading in front and also on the right of our line. It was by the rebels, who were bombarding our camp. A few shells bursted in the camp of the 8th corps, which was on our left. A few pieces of our artillery replied immediately, but without much effect as the rebels were for the most part protected in the woods and in valleys. A few regiments of infantry were also sent in front, and musketry firing was quite brisk for a few hours. Our infantry met the rebels in force about one mile from our outside line, but there was no general engagement. Our infantry only supported our picket line, by having skirmishers in front. There was consequently nothing very serious, although artillery and musketry firing was heard till about sundown. The rebels tried to flank us on our right but were repulsed. As soon as cannonading began, all the troops were formed in line of battle, with orders to be ready to march at any moment. The rebels had received reinforcements. Since we had abandoned their fortifications at Fisher's Hill, it was natural that, as soon as they arrived there, they should have taken possession of them again. They then sent a part of their forces to attack us, or rather to ascertain where we were and get an idea of our position.

On the same day about 9 P. M., our division was ordered to take position in the woods, about one mile in rear of our line. There we received some rations and also some clothing, which were issued during the night. We were expecting to see some "fun next day.

October 14, about 4 A. M., we formed in lines with orders to be ready to march at any moment. Some troops were sent

on a reconnoissance, but the enemy had retired. It is said that General Longstreet now has the command of the rebel army.

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Same day about noon we were in motion. We resumed our position near Cedar Creek, where we still remain. Nothing very serious transpired during that day, except a little musketry firing on the picket line, and also a little artillery firing by our troops.

October 15, about 5 A. M., we formed in line. Some troops of infantry were sent on a reconnoissance toward Strasburg. They came back about 8 A. M. We learned that the rebels were at Fisher's Hill, where they are strengthening their fortifications. Same day, Wm. A. J. Hill, of our company, who was left at Winchester, September 19, returned to the company. He had a paper to show that he was kept in the hospital at Winchester to take care of the wounded. He is quite well and looks more like a man who has been on garrison duty than one who has been in the field. He has no gun with him, but I will get one for him at the first opportunity. He should have been provided with arms and ammunition before he left the hospital.

October 16-the night was mild-fine moonlight. A part of our troops were busy working on the fortifications all night. They kept at it all day, although it was Sunday. There is now before us a strong line of fortifications along which are planted several batteries of artillery. The detachment of the 8th corps is on our left, while that of the 6th corps is on our right.

Our cavalry left us on the 15th instant. It is said that they took eight days rations with them, from which I conclude that General Sheridan is preparing for a new flank movement. It is probable that General Sheridan has abandoned the rebel fortifications at Fisher's Hill and retired his troops. in rear of Cedar Creek, where we are now well fortified, so as to draw the rebels into a trap.

Our cavalry may have gone by Front Royal with the intention of attacking the rebels from the rear and of placing them between two fires.

But, as I have not given you many details about the rebel

position at Fisher's Hill on September 22, I will say that Fisher's Hill and the surrounding country is nothing but a series of hills and valleys. Some of these hills are very steep, and are partly covered with small trees, underbrush, rocks, etc. The hills that are the best fortified have command of those that are less elevated. These fortifications are situated between the two famous chains of mountains the North mountains and King mountains-which at this point are separated from each other by only six or seven miles. If our cavalry succeeds in getting in the rear of the rebels it will be difficult for the rebels to get out of their position unless they have a very strong force. I therefore expect that there will be something new in a few days.

I think General Sheridan is a man who has great military abilities, and I should not be surprised if he would get the best of the rebels again very soon. Our troops have laid waste nearly the whole country as far as and a little beyond Staunton. Since there is now very little left in the country to help an army on the march and in the field, the rebels will have to get supplies elsewhere, which will be very inconvenient for them. If the Shenandoah Valley could have been laid waste at the beginning of the war, although it would have been hard on the people living there, it might have saved a good deal of bloodshed in the battles where our troops were almost always defeated with great losses.

The victories won here lately by General Sheridan may be considered as the first decisive victories that our army has won in the Shenandoah Valley, and we may with good reason regard these victories as hard blows to the Confederacy.

October 16, in the evening, the provision train arrived from Winchester. I have just learned that Samuel Godlove and C. M. Westfall of our company died in a hospital at Winchester from the effects of wounds received at Winchester on September 19, and that T. R. Chandler and A. Y. Worthington, of our company, who were wounded at the same battle, were sent to Harper's Ferry.