The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1861-09-06
The Battle of Cross Lanes.

The Battle Of Cross Lanes.
The rumor which wo published last week,
of battle noar Summorville, Va, botvcen
tho 7th Ohio Regiment and q superior force
Of tho enemy, is confirmed. Tho first &c.
count was to tho effect that tho Regiment,
but DOn strong, whiIo at breakfast on tho
2oth, were surrounded by 340o robels, con.
ssting of 1900 infantry and 400 cavalry,
with 10 cannon, and only succeeded in cut.
ting their way through with q loss Of 900
men. Later aud more reliable accounts.
however, state their less at Is killed and 80
wounded. Tho onemy's loss ia said to have
boen great, but cannot, Of course. DO sati.
mated. Capt Dyer, of Painesvilo. was
among the killed. Wo copy the statement
of Lieut.. A. J. Williams, from tho Cleveland
Herald OF Tuesday morning "
Lieut.. A. J. Williams, Of Capt Dyer's
Painosvillo Company, Co. ID, 7th Regiment,
camo up from the Ksnawha last night, and
proceeded to his hume 10 PainesVillo. He
brings fuller particulars of tho figh, at Cross
Lanes. He loft Gauley Bridge OH Wodnos.
day morning, and came by way Gallipois
and Cincinnati.
Lieut.. Williams says that in obedience to
orders from Con. Cox, Col. TYLER abandoned
his position at tho camp near Summervtle,
and marched the 7th to Gauley Bridge, de-
stroying tho ferry over tho riyor in passing.
After remaining with Cox somo days. tho
egimcnt was ordered to reoccupy their
former position, and at onco set out on tho
march. When fvo miles from their old
camp it was discovered that rebels undor
Floyd had restored the ferry anG crossed
tho river. A messenger was soht back to
Con. Cox, apprising him OF tho fact. and
asking instructions. Orders were returned
to march on and take their former position.
A short distance farther on the rebel pickets
wore met and driven in.
On Sunday the old camp was re-occupicd,
and tho regiment divided. about $50 mon,
under Maj. Easement, being sent to clear
the noighboring country Of struggling parties
OF rebels.
On Monday morning carly. whilst the
men were getting breakfast, and tho pickets
were being detailed for duty, tho rebels
suddenly made their appearance from three
directions, and at once commenced firing on
tho troops. Tho enemy approached in cx-
cellont ordor, and in large forco. Finding
himself surrounded, and sooing that con
tes. was hopeless, Col. Tyler gave the order
to retroat. This order was easier to give
than to execute. The men rallied, and firod
on tho enemy. The engagement soon bo-
came general, tho Soventh's boys fighting
like tigers. Among tho officers from this
city, particularly spoken Of for their bravery,
wero Lieut.. Col. Creighton, Lieut.. Burgess,
Lieut.. M0tynouux. aud Adjt. DeForrest.
Tho men fired, lay down to load, and then
got up, fired. repeating this IN areuvre until
there was o chance TO break for tho woods.
Capt. Dyer fell early. md number OF
his company werc taken prisoners. Among
.hom were Perry Smith. Stephen Smith, and
James Rubicon. all OF ChrAgrin Falls. -.
About half tho Regiment broke through
the enomys lines and scattered through the
woods, arriving 10 detaohmen,s at Gsulov
Bridge. Mai. Easement, with four compan.
los, after u march OF 70 miles, reached
Charleston on Wednesday evening, al out
tho time that Lieut.. w. passed. through on
his way homo. Lieut.. Williams was sick at
tho timo of tho fight, and was with tho bag
eage train. about five miles from the scono
Of the engagement. Tho train succeeded
in getting back 10 Gauley bridge in safety.
On Tuesday, tho Rev. F. T. Brown and
Dr. Gushing went with flag of truce to the
robol lines, about four miles from Floyd's
headquarters. Here they wcre blindfolded
aud tukon a short distance. when notice of
their mission was sent to Floyd. Word was
sent hack that fifteen Federal dead Ind
been found, and number Of wounded The
robols refused permission for Mossrs. Brown
, and Gushing to SOC tho wounded, nor would
they state tho number of prisoners ken
These two gentlcmon wero then sent back
TO Gen. Cox.