PA Civil War Era Newspaper Transcription
Adams County, Pennsylvania
Adams Sentinel - June 17, 1862
Death of Sergeant Huber
In our last, we briefly alluded to the death of Sergeant Frederick A. Huber, son of Dr. H. S. Huber, of this place, who fell in the battle of Fair Oaks, in front of Richmond. We have since been put in possession of some particulars, which will be of interest to our readers. The deceased, soon after the breaking out of the Rebellion, volunteered his services to the Government, like thousands of other patriotic young men, from convictions of duty, and connected himself with the 23d PA Regiment, Col. Birney, and was soon promoted to the responsible post of First Sergeant, in compliance to his fidelity and soldierly bearing.
Cap. Birney being promoted to a Brigadier, was succeeded in command of the 23d by Col. Niell, who gallantly fought his Regiment in the battle of Fair Oaks against overwhelming odds for nearly four hours. When Casey's Division was suddenly attacked Andover whelmed by the enemy, Cohen's Division (including the 23d) was ordered up to its support, and gallantly advanced to the front. The 23d was ordered to support Miller's Battery of Napoleon guns, and for near four hours held the enemy in check, who advanced in overwhelming numbers to take the battery, which was doing fearful execution in their ranks.
Again and again the enemy advanced only to be driven back by the tempest of grape and canister rained upon them by the battery, and the destructive fire of the 23d.
At one time the 23d found it necessary to make a bayonet charge, which was executed boldly and daringly, temporarily dislodging the enemy from a position they had secured. Still the foe returned, their thinned and shattered ranks supplied by fresh troops, and the murderous contest continued until 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when Miller's Battery having exhausted its last round of ammunition, Col. Niell ordered the 23d to rally upon the Regimental colors, and retreat firing, with their face to the foe.
It was awhile executing this order, and rallying his squad upon the colors, that Sergeant Huber received the severe wound in his right breast that proved fatal. Being observed to fall, he was picked up and was being carried to the rear, when he remarked to his attendants that he would die, and requested them to leave him and return to their posts, where they could be of service. Several friends, however, remained by him, until he expired, about a half hour after receiving the wound, his dying injunction to his attendants, being "Tell Father I have died for my Country." We learn that letters from Col. Niell, and others speak in the warmest terms of eulogy of the many and soldierly bearing of the deceased daring his entire connection with the Regiment, and especially compliment his gallant conduct in the fearful and deadly struggle of that afternoon.
Dr. Huber, who left for the field of battle upon hearing of his son's death, succeeded in securing the body, which had been carefully interred by the Surgeon of the Regiment in a separate grave, and returned with it on Friday last. The remains were interred in Ever Green Cemetery the same evening, after impressive funeral services, attended by a large concourse of sympathizing friends.
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