Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-06-17
m. phrlIlnni Annlr.

The PhilIippI Affair.
From a gentleman who has recently re-
turned to this city, and who is a member OF
c. D. Cleveland Light Artillery, We have
the following concerning the attack at Phil
lippi, at which he was present;
The two pieces and Col Steedmsn's regi-
ment left Clarksburg at Il o o'clock, noon, on
Sunday, the I'd of June, and went by rail to
Webster, some twenty miles distance, where
they arrived about 1 o'clock P. NJ. The
vieees were here unloaded from the cars, and
the companies halted for an hour until they
were joined by a part Of two Indiana regi-
mens-some 1900 men. The corps LEFT
Webster at IL P. N ina pouring rain, which
continued through the night and the ensuing
day; the Indiana troops having the right Of
the column, the artillery the center, and Col
Steedman and a portion of the Indiana regi.
ments bringing up the rear. The road was
continually up hill, and almost impossible
from the depth of the mud. Phillippi was
reached about 4 o'clock A. NJ. of the follow
ing morning, the distance marched being
thirteen miles. Very many of the infantry
fell down by the road side in the mud, being
SO much exhausted that they could no longer
stand. These arrived during the following
day.
About q mile and a-half before Phillippi
was reached, Col. Landers, Of the U. S.
Army, who had ridden ahead to take Obser-
v~ations, came riding back, and said that it
would be necessary to move rapidly or the
enemy would escape from the town, having
already made preparations for flight. The
troops were, therefore, almost worn out with
fatigue, ordered to do the rest Of the distance
at adouble quick"
When near the town, a m came
out Of a house and stood in the doorway
Witha little child and cried out, " Haiti
artillery, or I'll shoot every one of you"
It not being convenient for the body in
question to obey this summons, they kept
on when the woman levelled the pistol and
snapped three caps. Finding the pistol
would not 90, she handed it to somebody
within, and received another, with which
she fred three shots, doing no harm how
ever. Norman Baldwin and W. P. Edgar
ton fred three revolvers at her, the form
er's bullet striking about two inches over
her headin the door post. The guns were
brought to "actiou 'front.'" being loaded
with canister, and pointed at the house,
under the impression that a body Of scouts
was concealed therein, but Col. Landers
cried out for them not to be fired for fear
of alarming the camp at Phillippi.
Just as the party started again, three
men ran out Of the back part of the house,
and started at full speed for the camp, but
being threatened with being shot they
stopped and surrendered. They said
they were going cut to plant corn,
which story was very probable, it being
not quite 8 o'clock A. NJ.
The march was then continued without
further interruption to the heights above
Phillippi, and at 20 minutes past 4 O'Clock
the firing commenced upon the camp
Three fuses we're burst by each gun, ant
finally both pieces exploded almost stimuli
taneously, doing no execution, being load
ed with canister, except badly frightening
the rebels and tearing the tents. RounC
shot we're used after the first, and nearly
every shot proved fatal Sixteen shot
we're fired by both pieces. The distance
was about three-fourths Of a mile. Normal
Baldwin was gunner for Co. D, and as III
shot before the last was fred, he said tina
he was going to aim at a barn into which
8 man was seen to run. The gun was fret
and the shot true to its aim, entered tn
barn and carried away the leg Of a seces
sion Lieutenant, who was just u%nhitchinI
his horse. The leg was smputated by on
Of cur surgeons, and the man was dOini
well, at Phillippi when our informant left
As the last shot was about 10 be fred
squad Of fifteen OF twenty, on horses, wa
seen gallOping up the Beverly road, owe
q mile sway. Baldwin pointed his gun a
them, and the ball was seen to strike as j
in their midst. On examination after
wards, q hand was found on the ground
which had probably been shot away.
The Artillery we're compelled TO stop Fl
ing from fear Of killing our troops, Eh
were rushing into the town. Col steed
mans regiment fred several rounds, kill
ing and wOunding q considerable number
The dead and the injured were carrie
of by the flying foe with but two exceI
tons. The Indiana men appeared to b
under no manne Of discipline-they brOk
open stores and houses, destroying quaint
ties Of goods, breaking furniture, piano.
mirrors, and other valuable articles out
mere E-antonness. Their guns we're bein
discharged recklessly all day long, and 81
Of their v men we're wounded by then
selves, accidentally. The Ohio soldier
we're perfectly orderly, not breaking thei
ranks until they received the order.
The position Of the Artillery had bee
taken up in a newly ploughed cOrndel'
with mud over the mems boots, but SO fl
tigued were they that they laid down G
the ground with no protection, as soon &
the firing vas over, and slept sOundly unit
nearly noon.