The 118th's dilemma. Crossing the Potomac under the combined enemy and friendly fire seemed less dangerous than staying and most of the Pennsylvanians decided to risk it. Some waded right into the water, while others threaded their way across the mill dam, which in places were knee-deep.
Musket balls tore splinters from the slippery planks as Colonel Provost was carried across. Many men were shot down before they got to safety.
Lieutenant J. Rudhall White only ha time to give thanks to God for reaching the other side safely when a musket ball fatally struck him.
This is when Lt. Lemuel Crocker got involved with his rescue mission.
The 118th Pennsylvania entered the fight with 737 men. When the fighting died down around 2 pm, three officers and sixty men had been killed, 101 were wounded and 105 were missing. Their 269 casualties constituted the bulk of the 361 Union men lost at the battle.
A.P. Hill was satisfied that the Yankees had been driven back across the Potomac and made no attempt to follow them. Confederate losses numbered 30 dead and 261 wounded.
--Old Secesh
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