Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1861-07-11
CAMP MoGINNrs. CUMBERLAND. Mp..)
June 27. 1861.


June 27, 1861.
The mounted scouts attached to the re-
giment, under the leadership of Dave
Hays. had bloody fight yesterday after
noon. The scouts, thirteen in number.
left camp in the morning to take look at
Frankfort. little town between this and
Romney. reported to be occupied by
party of cavalry. who had been pressing
men into the rebel service The party
were within three quarters of a mile of
Frankfort. when they struck the trail of a
party going toward the Maryland line, by
another track. They followed the trail
until it struck the railroad, and there over
took the party. some forty in number, and
made at them. The rebels fled up the
road, firing as they went. The scouts fol-
lowed them up the railroad Hays in the
lead for nearly a mile, killing seven of
the rebels. dispensing the party, and cap
turing seventeen horses, portion of them
dismounting. and taking to the hills
Hays had his horse shot dead under him,
and received bullet through the shoul-
der, and one in the hip. and sabre cut
over the head. After chasing them mile
or SO. the scouts turned back, taking Hays
with them. They had proceeded nearly
two miles on the road toward the camp,
when they were oblige to stop to let Hays
rest, and two or three went to find a wag-
on. While they were resting the rebels
returned to Frankfort. received reinforce
ments. and overlook them. The first our
boys saw of them they were coming thro'
& ravine running under the railroad. on
the other side OF branch of the Potomac
Under the excitement of the moment
Hays manage1 to get on horse. and the
boys started him toward the river and
turned on the rebels. Tho first that came
through the ravine fell in his tracks, and
three were shot in the middle of the branch
as they rode through. falling in the water.
AS they rushed on. our boys, who were
dismouuted at the time, became separated
in the thick underground and logs, and
1t was every man for himself for little
while. Most of the boys had emptied
their pistols in the first fight, and having
no pistol ammunition they were obligea
to trust to their rifles, but .hey made every
shot tell. Lew. Farley. of Company f.
shot six himself. and one of them the lead
er of the party. There was hardly any of
the party but what brought down his man,
and some of them killed two or three
apiece. AS soon as our boys discovered
that they were outnumbered SO largely
about six or eight 10 one--they beat a
hasty retreat. Two of the boys threw
their guns in the canal. they were pressed
so hard. not having time to reload. An
other was chased nearly three miles by the
enemy. they firing at him as he ram
Having wet his ammunition in crossing
the river. he threw away his rife and had
to depend on his heels.
After the men became separated in the
underground. in the first rush of the rebels,
1t was impossible to get together again.
and while some remained on the ground,
others were Obliged to retreat. Farley
and one or two others remained until the
whole fight was over, and then started for
the camp.
Altogether there were between twenty
five or thirty Of the Secessionists killed.
and one of our party. Hollenbeck of the
Iouave Guards. one missing. Ed. Thomas
Of the National Guards, and Hays wound
ed.
The news reached camp about six in the
evening. during battalion drill. and a party
was Immediately sent to gather mp the
stragglers. Some OF the boys had narrow
escapes. Hays being in the lead in the
first fight, had over twenty shots fred at
him. and after being dismounted was struck
over the head with a sabre. Baker of the
City Greys had his cap taken off by rifle
bullet. Dunlap of the Montgomery Guards
had hole cut in his shirt, the ball Just
grazing his ribs. Grover, of the Fort
Harrison Guards. had a pistol torn from
his belt by a rifle bullet.
The party which was sent out to the
scene Of the fight returned this morning
bringing Holrenbeck's body with them
The rebels had carried of all their dead
and wounded. having been on the ground
nearly all night. They say there were %
rebels killed and 7 wounded, as near as
they can find out. The scene of the last
fight is described as being terrible sight.
On the spot where the hardest Of the fight
had been. nearly every log and stump had
traces of blood on it. while here and there
were huge splotches of blood. and the trees
were SCARED and stripped by the bullets
They found nine dead horses on the ground,
seven belonging to the rebels and two to
our scouts. They secured the country
within few miles of the place. but could
see nothing of the rebels.
Since writing the above, Ed. Thomas
came into camp He was knocked dcwn
by a grazing sh & over the eye. aud as he
lay on the ground secessionists stopped
down to stick him. when one of our boys
put but a bullet into "secesh's" ribs
Thomas afterwards hid in the brush, and
made his way to the hills. Hollenbeck
was shot through the bowels, and they
were going to serve him after the same
fashion they tried on Thomas. but like
good friend did the same good Office for
him which another had previously done
for Thomas. But Thomas says Hollen-
beck Was afterwards taken prisoner by the
rebels. His body was found shout mile
sud o half from the ground. with seven
gun shot and bayoset wounds in him. =
His body was yet warm when found. -
There is no doubt that he WAS murdered
after being taken prisoner. sail-ss aees