Letter to the Editor

From the 148^th P. V.
Near Petersburg, Va.
Sept. 1, 1864

There are no doubt persons in Jefferson County who would be interested in seeing a list of casualties in Company I, 148^th Pa. Vols. in the last engagement at Reams Station. Our division (1^st Division, 2d Corps) reached the Weldon R. R. Monday, 22d last, and immediately commenced tearing up the road. This we done by piling the ties in piles, and laying the rails across them. The piles were then set on fire, the heat bending the rails so as to render them useless. We were kept working on the road the 22d, 23d, and 24^th, and had it torn up some distance below the station. Wednesday night, 24^th, we occupied a line of works at the station. The next day, 25^th, was the day of the battle. You have already received the particulars in regard to the engagement, and the result of the battle. Our Regiment stood up like men, until they were compelled to fall back.   The line had give [sic] way on our right, and the enemy was coming in from two directions.

The following are the casualties in Company I:

Wounded 

Sergt. James Cochran, right leg

Missing 

Sergt. Alexander McQuiston
Corp. Jacob Rumbaugh
Corp. James J. Gailey (Gayley)
Corp. Jos. Ernest

Privates: Hugh A. Barr, Lewis Dibler, Stewart H. Monteer

The following named Jefferson County men in Company B are also missing: 

Privates James L. Stiggers and Samuel Shilling

It is supposed all these missing men were captured by the enemy, as none of them are known to be wounded. Col. Beaver on his way to the Regt. the day of the engagement, having recovered from a wound received near Petersburg on the 15^th of June. Before he reached the regiment, however, he was struck with a ball, causing the amputation of his right leg, close to the body. He appears in excellent spirits, and we hope for his speedy recovery.