Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-07-24
Military Correspondence.
THE BATTLE OF RICH MOUNTAIN.
BEVERLY, Va, July Il, 1861.

iSSI anu SiSSP- We iCll DuchudnuVH vi
the 9Th inst, and on the 18th, camped
near Rich Mountain, in the immediate Vi
cinity Of the rebels.
On the day we camped, the 10Th Ohio
had a slight skirmish, losing one man, and
two rebel prisoners. The 18th
were drawn up under arms, most of the af-
t%ernoOn, expecting to be called out. but
were not. That evening We were notified
to be ready to be ready to start at two the
next morning. We slept but little, that
night, / assure you. We were called out
at the time, but owing to various causes,
did not get under motion till 4 o'clock. A
DRILLING shower was falling, drenching US
to the utmost thread, and everything look
cd drcary enough. The expedition consis-
ted of the Sth, 10th and 18th Indiana, and
the 18th Ohio. with a squad of the Cinein-
natl Dragons. We marched up the main
road for a short distance, and then plung-
ed into the unbroken forest. Slowly. We
toiled on-our axemen cutting the way as
we went-sometimes climbing for a mile
mp the steep face of a mountain, then de-
scending again into some dark gorge, al
most shut out from the light of day. Had
it not been for the skill of our guides (sOme
Union men of Virginia, We should never
have found our way out of those defles.
At ? o'clock p. NJ. We had succeeded in
outAanking the enemy, and had gained a
position overlooking his camp. As our van
pressed steadily on, we were reused by the
firing of the enemy's piekets, and soon the
dance of death begun. Round shot and
shell came tearing through the branches
over our heads, and the dull roar of u
kerry, mingled with the sharper crash of
rifles, woke the mountain echoes for miles
away. To the deep thunder bass of the
roaring cannon, the shrill Whistling balls
snpplied a horrid treble; and a mingled
roaring din filled the air, of which none
but those who have heard it, can form a
just conception. The Sth and 10th Indi-
ana, who commenced the fight, showed
more valor than discipline-they swept
down the hill in the teeth of the enemy's
fire, leaping from rock to rock, and from
tree to tree, but mixing companies and reg
iments badly.
The 10th Ohio stood under fire, patient
ly waiting their timc-at last it came. At
the word, We wheeled into line of battle,
delivered our fire, and marched on-over
fences, rocks, trees and brush, we made our
way, until about a hundred and fifty yards
Of the enemy. Then We halted and deli
Yered our fire with terrible precision. The
enemy were forming in line of battle, pre-
paratory to a charge on the ~Indianians,
when the terrible fire of the 10th struck
their ranks, moving them down like grass
before the scythc-a second vOlley compile
ted their rout, and they fed in wild confu-
sion. Our men pursued them as long as
they could be seen, but from their superior
knowledge of the country. many escaped
Surrounded by the dead and dying, We
slept on our arms that night, exposed tc
the full fury of a drcncbing rain. In the
morning, We took possession of the rebeI
camp, capturing four brass field pieces, s
great number of muskets, rifles, shot guns
knives, tents, and public and private store.
of all descriptions. Some 500 prisoner
have been taken, of whom company c. act
ing as scouts, took 25.
Strange as it may seem, not q man o
the 18th was injured, though several ha(
their clothing cut by the balls of the enc
mp. A six pound shot brushed the man
of Col. Bcatty's horse, and many hair
breadth escapes are related. Col. Hollings
worth displayed the greatest GOODNESS, cheer
ing the men by voice and deed.
The General gives the highest common
dalton to the 10Th, for their steady, soldier
like conduct. Never were movements bet
ter executed, or a fire more effectively dc
livered. than by our gallant 10th. 0ui
Trumbull boys were in the thick of tn,
fight, and displayed the GOODNESS of old sol
diers. But l must close, to be in time fol-
the mail.
Yours for the Stars and Stripes.
n. A. BARRETT.
We are permitted to make the follow
- III IL