The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-10-02
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
CHEAT MOUNTAIN. Va. I
Sspt. 10, 1861

EDIToRs- JOURNAL :---Gentlemen, AL
though, you, no doubt have long since pub
lished the outlines of our recent battle, if it
can be called such, get few particulars
in relation to the Crescent City Guards
will no doubt be of interest to their friends
in Evansville
For the last few days we have had "stir-.
ring times" here. On the 11th some sixty
of the Crescent City Guards, were sent on
the hill, three miles in advance, as picket
guard, under command of Lieutenant
Junod, to remain there for twenty-four
hours. That night one of the most drench-
ing rains fell, that ever was known in this
rainy country. 1t seemed as though the
heavens were open, and that the Great Be-
ing, who controls the destinies of the hu-
man family, had something to do with it.
I have do doubt, for had it not been for the
rain, He knows what would have become of
as, for l assure you that do not. On the
morning following, the 18th, at o'clock,
a messenger came from the west, and in
formed the camp, that our wagons and
drivers were captured within half mile of
our camp, and within our pickets. Some
three or four companies were Immediately
sent down the road, and attacked the rebels
with will, and soon put them to flight
Other companies were sent to their relief,
and among the number, was the remnant of
the Evansville boys, twenty eight strong,
who were placed to guard pass, where it
was certain the rebels would come provid-
ed they rallied, as it was supposed they
would. The skirrnishing continued some
two or three hours, and the enemy contin-
ued to retreat, leaving all their blankets,
overcoats, haversacks, canteens, and many
guns. Our boys followed them three miles,
and in the mean time took several prison
ers, from whom they found out that the
rebels numbered three thousand, on the
west, and that the programme, was, that
we were to be attacked on the east by a
force of five thousand, at the same time---
The consequence was, that it was thought
best not Ito pursue 5000 men with 400,
when it was almost certain that the attack
would soon commence on the east. At this
time, messenger arrived from the bill, and
informed us that tie Evansville boys there
were cut off ..and that Lieut. Junot, and
George Winder were killed. This, / assure
you, was sorrowful news for US, for we ex-
pected that they were all, either killed or
taken prisoners. 1t seems, that during the
rain, the enemy had crawled through the
pickets and ambushed themselves in their
rear, with a considerable force, soon after
which and at about O'Clock, A. II,
couple of shots were fred at the
front picksts, and a number of the enemy
slowed themselves in the woods.
Our boys assembled on top of the hill, at
their headq quarters, there to make stand,
if possible, until re-inforceAents could be
had from the main camp, not suspecting an
enemy in the rear. A volunteer was call
ed for, as a messenger to give the alarm at
camp, and the brave Winder, Immediately
rendered his services for that duty. He
had not proceeded above three hundred
yards before a Volley was fred Mt him
from the brush, and he Immediately fell
dead, one ball going through his heart
You can now see the situation the balance
were in. A large body. both in the front
and rear, and the question was, what to do,
and but little time to decide that Some
were for taking the brush and lighting them
in their own way, while the more rash,
were for charging upon them while IN am-
bush. The rash prevailed, and the charge
was made, without effect upon the enemy,
who poured into our men bullets by the
hundred Junot Immediately fell, receiv-
ing one ball through his head, and another
cutting off his nose. James McMullen re-
ceived eighteen bullet holes through his
blanket, and one through his coat, under
he M
from their bullets one on the side of the
head, and the other Immediately on the
top of his head. The boys then all broke
for the brush, except John Troy, who threw
up his hands and fell as though he was
dead. The rebels ran over him and kick
ed and cuffed him in all conceivable ways.
yet Troy played dead on them, and as soon
as they passed him, be got up and ran like
a whitehead. He had great presence of
mind, or could not have withstoQd what he
did without wincing. Many others, whose
names have forgotten, performed great
feats of bravery and possession. In
deed, they all did their duty, as brave men
should do. By night, the boys all had got
into camp except Bradford, Marasina and
Plautz, who were still missing, and who
it was supposed, were either killed or taken
prisoners. On the fourth day thereafter,
Bradford and Marasina, came in, and such
rejoicing among the men, could hardly be
imagined, and on the SIXTH day Plautz came
in, all of whom had lived upon blackber-
ries during the whole time. They had
laid under logs in the thick brush, with
the enemy within ten feet of them, in ma
ny instances, during the most of the time,
bat: finally got off without being observed,
and made their way to camp. Their suffer-
ings must have been great, and they are de-
serving great credit for their fortitude. The
most of the men had to leave their guns
and anything that they had with them, and
were glad to make their escape as we'll as
they did. EL IfFtE
The next morning asked for ten volun-
teers to go after the dead bodies of the la
mented and brave Jurot and Winder,
whereupon the following nine immediately
volunteered, IS named: VIM. H. Grey,
James II. McMullen, John A. Daily, James
McQuill, John Richarts, Adam Zuspan, VIM.
Peacock, and August Shultz, who immedi-
ately proceeded, entirely without arms, to
the late scene of disaster, where they found