The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-11-08

C.xp At Rosrsr. October 20.

our line Of msrch on the National pike for !
Romney. ltffy $50 tat' I
After hard days march OF twenty eight
miles, we went into camp about two hours
after dark. The majority Of the men had
furnished themselves with boots for the
Winter, and this being the first trial. cramp-
ed their feet, and great many toward night
were obliged TO leave ranks and fall back,
so that not more than half the men were LEFT
TO pitch tents but all came in within two
hours.
We encamped Al the junction OF New
creek pike with the National road, and the
next morning we were Joined by an addition.
al force from that place.
The town Of Romney is pleasantly situ-
ntcd in fertile valley, watered nv the South
branch of the Potomac, and hemmed in on
the East and West by lofty range Of mount
ains-the only outlet being by two gaps. the
one East called the East gap, and that wes,
the Mechanicshurg gap +; through the latter
we were obliged TO pass 10 cain the town.
Here they might have brought masked bat
teries and Notifications against ns. but did
not. II is the county seat OF Hampshire
county, forty-two miles West of Winches- /
ter, and is about the size Of Findlay. The
town is purely secesh. The rebel army has
been here all Summer, but now thirty.four
stars wave from the public buildings.
Probably our force was greater than theirs,
but they had the advantage Of position. We
had 70 attack them in their positions. Our
force was rs follows; Nine companies and
two pieces OF arti.lery-one twelve. pounder
rine and one six.pounder smooth bure. Of
the fourth Ohio, Col. Mason, and eight COM
panies eighth Ohio, Col. DePew six COM
panies seventh Virginia. Col. Kelley; one
company fourth Virginia, Captain Dayton :;
eighty. FIVE members Of the Rngeold cavalry
Of Pennsylvania, Capt. McReys; and ninety
Of the Kelly lancers; and one twelve pound.
er Of Dorme's battery.
| We took up our line Of march in this or.
der; three pieces of artillery in front. the
fourth Ohio next 10 sustain II, the eighth
company followed by the Virginia boys, the
baggage train following close in the resr.-
So you see our all depended On victory
nearly two hundred wagons heavy laden.
but we'll guarded. The cavalry were some
Il
/ When within about two miles Of the gap.
a general halt wns made and ten cavalrymen
were sent forward 10 scnut the road. They
soon returned and reported two pieces OF
cannon and one hundred cavalry one hall
mile in advance Of the gap. Atthis moment
they showed themselves; buttwo shots from
our twelve. FOUNDER sent them back out oi
) sight. Ou. whole force OF cavalry was then
ordered forward. When they had advanced
around the bend in the pike, they discover
ed the enemy drawn up in line Of battle
with two pieces OF artillery commanding the
pike. aud the cavalry aanked or from the
mouth Of the gap into small meadow
When our cavalry appeared, they opened
on them with grape, but to no effect. The
half of them were then ordered TO dismouni
and bush them: they did so, and a few
rounds from their unerring carblnes sent
the whole clan back pell-mell through the
gap to their fortified position nj the outskitt.
: of town, which they gained. Al this charge
five OF .hsir cavalry were seen 10 fall. OnI
whole force then advanced cautiously. OBJ
|, serving everything that afforded n position
for a masked battery; but our movement wa:
i not interrupted until we lad advanced IL
range Of their guns, when they opened up
tremendous FIRE with Crane and ball. whici
;. fell around us like hail. AS soon rs posi-
u't our pieces were wIttltu HUOul uUu u itN
q shots Of canister silenced tLeir gun. w
@ then made another advance, but this wa
mprded hy another shower OF grape from
howi,z, =. which they hal stationed ~ tn
graveyard. Thus seemed the most severe
" the shells bursting in our midst and scat
4 terng missiles in all directions. killing on
Of lie Sey'n'h Virginia aud wounding thre
Il ot the fourth Ohio; but this ceased. Bv on
a determined advance, we finally reached III
- Elevation upon which the town stands
r. which position Brought their whole force i
view, and We were near the iont nf Mai
= street. between their fort, ificationS and town
"A, Their force wSs now broke down an
making n hasiy yreir,ai--no,hing lavin, hee
7 seen tt their cavalry since their her
-, through the gap. Their infnn,ry were Is
cnp,ng around the toSn and through II
ii STREETS.
Their artillery having gained the pix,
u we're making their way through Main stree
,,f when their rincd cannon was oyrr,akrn m
Captured. Our cavalry with the infantry
m the rear, then pursued end captured the
howiizer just III the suburbs Of town.
Exciem, nj was now up to blood heat
II, Our Colonel wns riding at the head Of h
men, waving his hat and eSclaimng: go
~ ward, boys - they ore running"' A f.
.. rods father and we found their last pie
deserted.
ly We still pursued and captured their wa
4. lOn train, not without some fighting, howe
:" er. We captured all their cannon, III,
ol. magazine fnli Of cartridges S. their Commi
sary's stOreS, Suffers goods, Col. McDo
ur aid and s,;n's wagon, twenty-five Penns,
,. yania wagons heavily laden and three hOrS
W. attached to each, besldesa n number Of hor'
lCs running loose, tOgetheTswIih Col. McDu
aid splendid carriage and mules, etc.
=" The position at Romney was command
,ud 10y Col. NJ, Donald. What his force was.
not exactly known; but he hnA three piet
The Of artillery. $50 cavalry. and 900 infantry
We are ordeied to eat nothing biou.
~ into camp for sale. as for Of the eiel
lCd Ohio have been poisoned by eating pies, /
i, of whom have died. and but little hopes
lu' entertained Of the recovery OF the others.
In their flight, the rebels dropped nca
all their personal effects - baggage Of
ntil knds-which our bows have appropriated
3D. woSna.d 'oSs dc s Whist % he @ns ret.ls ns suffered %
k's having seven killed and much larger nj
!, Der wounded.
il'y Last night | was on picket guard,
rty 'ea .w'se AZ some sHa,N.ne e eue,s nG w.o "om
lm' us. Youis. J. W. +. WILLIAMS
,
''"' CENTRAL ONO CONFERENCE. --"Wl
en-. are the bold Ministers Of the Central 4
=, Conference OF the Methodist Epsct
'he Churchr'--l Hancock Courier.
'n; ,o Why do you ask the questi
ond Glessner? Do you wish to eng
,.,, .,,., Of ,hoaa Al ;,;a,..a ,o ,,,.oob n,