The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1861-09-25

oil panies OF our infantry let drive at them, ar
l. squared accounts by tumbling one Of them owe
er when they fed.
;, From thence we advanced to point within
mile OF Cross Lanes, where the roads forked,
y branch leadiug off to Cross Lanes, the mai
Is road conducting to Carniiex Ferry, three mile
,e distant. The sound Of skirmishIng in the 70,
Il ests we're constantly increasing in animation
: and il was obvious that we were approachin
: the rebel position, but the General was still .
:, the dark about the roads. He was informed Z
L another cross road TO Cross Lanes, mile o
two in advance, and was satisfied the enem,
g could not be far from it-since that was tn
, route by which they had surprised Gel. Tyler
: A general reconnaissance was decided upon. -
Strong columns were deployed upon the hills il
Ii line OF battle, and heavy detachments were or
dered to sweep through all the forests 10 the vi
oinity. A more brilliant spectacle was neve
seen in Virginia, and the animated scene can
not be fttingly described. Oui fine regiment
: were deploved across several bold meadow
knobs, their wings expanding in imposing pro
: portions, furnishing weapons cleaned in tht
: sunlight, spirited horses and bold horsemer
were dashing swiftly over the face of the field
and the General stood in bold reliet on com
handing eminence, surveying the exciting pros
Here wBs battle array. .aas.s .ass-s.a
Gen. Benham's Brigade was again orde, ed to
advance. Our skirnishers moved over the
hills, driving in rebel pickets, and the Com
mander in Chief again pushed to the front. =
Shortly afterwards we gained the anxiously
looked Tor cross road "Now," said the Gen
eral, 1--WE are all right-there is no danger in
the rear" The conviction that we were rapid
iy closing on the enemy was impressed
on every mind. Every eye dated as the word
passed, Fight ahead, lads! fight ahead" Then
we heard skrmshing more lively than ever,
not mile distant, preceded by yell OF tri.
umph and apparent pursuit. Still we were to-
tally ignorant Of the enemy's position. We
did not know, indeed, whether it was Oh the
road that we were pursuing, and there fore the
column was divided to guard all roads until our
knowledge was absolute. The last skirmish
seemed conclusive and while discussing it, an
officer rode up announcing. "We have just cha
sed strong detachment of rebels from their
camp on the hill mile beyond, and the men
are pursuing them in the woods. Their fires
are burning, aud their camp equipage was left
on tha ground. Fifty head o! teef cattle were
also captured. En- eUaat was now sounded in
earnest. MAY push on now, General" said
General Benham, "and uncover the fox? I'll
do it in earnest it you say so.' The Comman
der-n Chief musing moment, replied yes,
GO oNp And brave old Benham pushed ahead
quickly, wagging his head and swinging his
ponderous arms with obvious satisfaction ex.
claiming "Pve got my brigade now, and We'll
go on" The Commanders Chief rode Up in
to the rebel camp, and across the hll to good
point Of observation, but Benham moved ahead
His noble brigade was passing rapidly, Colonel
loves regiment remaining behind to guard
the road. - .-.sa ..a Boa.
BATTLEl s..... ....
| had passed up with the General and had
left him but a moment to admire rebel Colonels
baggage, which he had left in his haste, when
the whole column prcked up their ears at the
sharp sounds OF confict, apparently not more
than few hundred yards in advance. Indeed
it sounded as il it was directly be ore US
Twenty or thirty shots were fred in quick sue
cession, and we had scarce time TO think, when
a long, dreadful roar and rolling Ieverberation,
as ifthe earth had opened under our feet, shook
the cliffs and thrilled every soul 1t was the
roar OF opening battle. "a. @
,.r E.....s... THE QUESTION, ...f .G.l ..s .
1t was ther precisely 3:45 o'clock P. NJ
There was discussion at headquarters at that
moment whether the troops should 90 into
camp or into battle The day had been ervent-
" hot. The troops had marched seventeen and
half miles having been on foot since 3 o'clock
in the morning, and were hardly refreshed after
the previous days march. Besides, many of
the best companies had been scouting and skir-
mishing all day. Indeed most OF them were
obviously unfit 'or battle, though all were eager
to 60 into it, come when it might. But it was
now too late, The deepening roar IN the for
est told us too solemnly that discussion must
end. Volley alter volley In dread concert con-
tnued. A. minute later the awful roar OF hos
tile cannon struck in lis deep diapason. Our
own batteries had not gone up, but stood On the
hill waiting orders. Adjutant- General Hart,
suff sent McMnllen's howitzers and Snyder's
two six Founders forward in hot haste, horses
and mules under the lash plunging p0uderous.
ly onward, the ammunition wagons laundering
on their heels. The 18th Ohio was ordered up,
and rushed forward gallantly at double quick,
Col Lowe in advance. The brave lads dashed
ahead, throwing blankets and knspsacks wild
ly away, aud shouting cheerily. Colonel Lowe.
whom | saw that moment for the last time, was
calm and collected, and was urging his men
forward accordi,g to Gen. Rosecrans' orders;
but not understanding the precise roule in,lica.
ted, he asked to go 10 his brigade, which, he |
said, was sustaining the whole fight; but Adiu- |
tant General Hartsuf volunteered TO show Che |
wsy,-aRd the 18th and thei ir commander ere |
lost in the forest. Musketry, Mimic rifles, and |
cannon now mingled 10 deafening uproar. Our |
own artillery had not yet opened, and the enc
mys pieces were playing with fearful rapidity. |
p General Benham, now that u general engage
ment had been opened, sent Tor reinlorcements |
McCook's and Scammon's biigades bad been |
ordered forward from their position two miles |
and half in the rear, and the former was |
drawn up in line OF battle IN the newly captu |
red rebel camp. General Rosecrans went for
ward with his staff, and as we neared the front
an aid was sent to Col. Scammon to send four |
to attempt the right flank Of the en- |
emy. Scammon was just depoying into line of
battle, and immediately sent onward four com
panies OF the 23Id Chic under Major e. B. |
Hayes. Meantime the conflict was raging
The ambulances had begun their work Of bring |
ing wounded from the field. Major Wir ., |
acting Surgeon OF the division, had made am.
pie preparations for the occasion, and the hos |
pilal department was admirably administered |
The wounded came up slowly at frst, bur it |
was not long before bloody victims were abun-
dsnt, showing that the work Of carnage was in
full execu ion. s f.s,, Z I-,f5..t,t.4g
THE GERMAN BRIGADE. /
Orders at last arrived from Gen. Rosecrans
for Col. McCook to advance his brigade Thee
ensued scene battling description. The gal
liant Colonel dashed along his lines inspiring his
men with his own enthusiasm, and the hearty
fellows shook he mountains wi their wild ac-
,laim. The Dutchmen were seized with war
frenzy and screamed the stormy charge with
which their ancestors were wont to 20 into bat
tie. McCook himself, charged up and down
bis columns with his hat gone, none knew
.,.h;ILa. hia lana III 1inr .,uitL LIZ IL. ar -.