June
28, 1861
– Friday.
Orren
M. Stebbins,
The
Anderson Life Guards, Co.
A, 13th Pa.
Res.,
to
Wellsboro Agitator.
Camp
Mason
and Dixon
–
“...
we received orders to leave Camp McCall Tuesday night about midnight and march to the
Maryland line, about six miles from Cumberland. We arrived here Wednesday noon
after a hard march of 25 miles in the hot sun. We do not know how long we shall stop in
this place. Our camp is on the line which divides freedom from despotism. Our flag floats
over Southern soil.
Cumberland
is held by 9oo Union men, and they have for some time held at bay over 2ooo rebel troops.
Yesterday 17 Zouaves attacked 43 Secessionists in open fair
fight about five miles from our camp and the result was as follows: One Union man was
killed, two or three wounded, while on the other side 23 were killed and quite a number
wounded, these are facts for one of our men was there in the afternoon and saw the dead.
“Col. Biddle has just
returned from Cumberland.
The inhabitants and soldiers are very anxious for our regiments to come on and help them;
but our hands are tied and we cannot go until we receive orders from the Head Quarters.
Then we are ready to go and we will fight them until death or victory crowns our banner.
“Col. Biddle is one of
the finest little men I ever saw. He is a particular favorite of every man in our
regiment. Capt. Holland
of Lawrenceville, and Capt. A.E. Niles of Delmar, are both noble men and loved by their
whole companies. Old Tioga may well be proud of such men. They fight for their country and
not for office. Dr. Humphrey of Osceola cures all who are brought before him, and has
already gained the good will of every man. If our friends at home would like to know when
and where we fight let them watch the First Pennsylvania Regiment, known as the Rifle
Regiment.
“Yours truly,
O.M.S.”
[WA: 7-3-1861].
