Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-10-04
Fight mt ROmney,

On Monday the 23d ult., the 4th Ohio
Regiment, Z companies of the Ohio 9th,
2 companies of the Virginia Militia, and
company of cavalry, with piece of Artillery,
left Camp Crossman for Romney, where
about 1000 of the enemy were reported to
be posted. A correspondent of the San
dusky Register gives the following account
of the affair:
"At o'clock, A. NJ, Wednesday, we
marched into Romney without any disturb
ance and took the press and printing ap-
psratus generally. After staying there
two hours, for some reason we were order
cd to march back to New Creek again.
After we had left Romney about mile in
the rear, and crossed the bridge-perhaps
400 yards-we beheld cloud of dust be-
hind something moro than one-half q
mile-and in few minutes force of 500
secession cavalry made their appearance
On arriving at the bridge, they halted, and
both armies fired at each other almost sim
ultaneously. After the smoke cleared away
we could see that VIC had emptied some
dozen of the saddles. They in turn wound
ed four of our men. At this point a
scene occurred that amused our whole force.
A Sergeant in one of the companies--I
know not which-drew bead on the lead
cr of the cavalry and fred on him, bring
ing him out Of his saddle; one foot hung in
the stirrup, and his horse took up the re-
treat on "double quick" dragging him thro'
the the river after him. AS soon as it
could possibly be done our cannon was un-
limbered, and brought to bear in the rear,
and they. received voley of grape and
canister which killed fifteen. This seem
ed little more than they had bargained
for, so they started back in the utmost con-
fusion.
The reason that we did not follow them
was because we had heard that they had
been reinforced by 1900 infantry and three
pieces of artillery from Winchester, and it
was thought the best policy to get through
the Gap before they could come around
the mountain and surround us, which we
did, not without however being obliged to
guard our rear against the sneaking caval-
ry who would come in sight long enough 10
fire and then run back. After passing
through the Gap it became evident that
they had large body of infantry in the
rear, which was confirmed by the heavy
clouds Of dust that kept raising and ap-
proaching us. We, however, kept them
all at safe distance, bringing them down
at every turn of the road. After pursuing
us for short distance, they left us to
march into New Creek alone, at which
place we arrived at dark on Wednesday,
We have expected ever since we came back
that they would como in on us with their
superior force and stand us battle, but as
yet we have seen nothing of them, although
we can hear them firing on our pickets.--
We are now waiting for reinforcements,
when we will march on them again, and il
victorious at Romney we will proceed to
Winchester.
1t is near IL o'clock at night, and one Of
our boys has just arrived who had been cut
off from our main body. He reports that
he concealed himself in tho bushes and as,
certained their full force, which amounts to
800 cavalry, 1900 infantry and pieces oi
artillery; we had 100 cavalry, one piece Of
artillery, and 100 infantry. Wo have as
certained our loss to be killed and about
Is wounded, while tho enemy is reported
to have lost go killed and ls0 wounded
together with large number of horses
No one was either killed or wounded out oI
Company E. We are all, with the excep,
tion of a very few cases, enjoying good
health.
We learn that Capt. Haynes lost two
men taken prisoners, and two wounded in
this engagement, but have not been able
TO ascertain their names.