Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-07-18
THE BATTLE AT THE FORD.

IhE battle AT IhE FORD
Within mile of the next ford, the monu-
tains recede on both sides from the river
The most of this comparatively level bot
tom land is comprised 10 the farm of Mr..
James Corrick, and the fords are known by
bis name. In crossing the first of these fords
to the right side Of the river (ss We were ad-
vancing) one Of their wagons mired, and
those in the rear had to halt until it could be
relieved. Tha rebels meantime drew up in
line on the opposite side IN an oat held, and
were concealed by rail fence and the trees
and bushes frineing that bank of the river.
The bluff is from 90 to 80 feet higher than
the land on the opposite side, down which
the Ohio l4th was advancing, with Capt.
AOWs company thrown out as skirmishers.
As the skirmishers pressed on toward the
ford, the teamsters cried ont, " Don't shoot
don't shootl We are going to surrender"
The Captain then called to the Colonel,
aUome on, Col. Steedman, they are going
to surrender" and The regiment was ordered
to advance at q double quick. As be came
opposite the bank where the rebels were
| drawnup, Gen. Garnett cried, Three cheers
for JEFF Davis" and that instant the whole
linewa a blaze of light as they poured a
destructive yolley upon the l4th The men
came 70 an instant halt, and returned the
compliment without changing position, and
| then advanced nearer the river, taking posi-
ton behind worn out fence. The rebel
battery then opened fire, and Barnetfs ar
tillery was ordered up. The action became
general. Millroy's regiment came up to
Steedman's 8 support, but were compelled to
deliver an obliqne fire. Capt Benham thus
ordered Dumonts six companies TO cross the
river about 800 yards above the ford, pass
Obliquely up the hill from our right and
take the enemy in the rear. The bank was
exceedingly steep, almost perpendicular, but
two companies had succeeded in clamberinS
up, when the order was countermanded, and
Col Dumont ordered down the river to the
ford, under cover Of the height on their side.
and protected by the fire from Steedman's
and Millroy's regiments, to take them ia
front at the road. The Colonel executed this
order in gallant style. His line instantly
formed and marched down the bed of the
river, where the water was frequently waist
deep, and the moment the head of his column
appeared the rebels ceased firing along the
entire line, and stampeded through a wheat
field down TO the second tord, The officers
vainly trying to rally them. =
Gen. Garnett was the last to cross the ford.
which be did on foot, and stood by tbs river
shore, waving his handkerchief and calling
them TO come back and dispute the passage
Of the ford. Major Gordon of the Q. s. army
at this moment appeared on the opposite
sids which the rebels had Just Left and
seeing them huddled in the road called to the
advance Of Dumoufs command, which was
rushing along like IA whirlwind, to come on.
Gen, Gsrnett directed the attention of his
panic stricken rear to the Major, and q volley
of bullets fell thick as hail around him, MANY
lodging in the sycamore stump on which
be was standing. The Major at the same
time saw Garnstt and pointing him out te
squad of Capt Ferry's company, Sergeant
Burlingane drew deliberate sight on the
General and fired. He was seen to throw
up bis hands and tall back on the sand. At
the same instant almost the only manwho
had the pluck to stand BY the General, "a
Georgian, be It said, to the shame Of the
chivalTy Of Virginia, fell dead by his side,
Dumonts regiment bad come up in much
less time than 1t has taken to record this
event. and poured q raking fire into the
enemy, who made a stand of some ten min
utes, during which the Ere was sharp on
both sides, and then they ran, crowding upon
each other in the widest confusion. Du-
monJs regiment crossed the ford, and chased
them two miles up the st. George road.
where they gave out from absolute exhaus-
ton, and biYoucked for the night.