Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-12-23
rhe Brilliant Fisht at Observation-Disclosures
pePate valsr Of the Germansl
CAMp CpoRer WooD,

Correspondence Cincinnati Gazette.l
CAMP GEoReE WooD,
Mumfordsville, Dec. II.
At about half.past one this afternoon our
camp was startled by the sharp rattle OF mus
kerry, which seemed TO conn from the south
bank Of Green river. It was known that a
part Of Col. Wflich's magnificent regiment
the SD Indiana, was doing picket duty on
that aide, and the inference ct once was that
the lusty Germans had either attacked the
enemy or had been attacked by
them-most likely the former. Cen
eral johnson well knew the sound to be
that otfght-the direction Of the firing and
the hour Of the day told plainly that at least
a skirmish was actually going on-probably
a grand battle pending. So he ordered tae
signal gun to sound, and for the first time
our regiments formed in line Of battle.
A messenger shortly came over with the
intelligence that Willich's picksts had espied
rebel soldiers in the woods beyond them,
and Immediately their lion-hearted Lieuten-
nt.Oolouel, Henry Won Frebra, had ordered
two companies TO advance, and, if possible,
effect their dislodgment. The enemy re-
treated half a mile 10 his main body without
firing q shot and the two companies pursued
him, stealthily advancing as skirmishers-
Suddenly and Unexpectedly q troop OF rebel
oavairymen came dashiEg over the hill, and
a careless volley from their shot guns told
our boys thst they were near falling into an
ambuscsde, and that the enemy was actually
In their front in considerable force.
But nothing dauntsd, the brave Germans,
~veteran-like, returned the Volley with a gall
ing FIRE, slowly retreating 80 as to bring the
enemy out from the woods and into a level
open field. The enemy, confdentin his mum
bers, was not slow to accept the invitation
In the meantime, the two companies being
hard pressed, the bugle was sounded to bring
up the remaining companies Of the regiment
They came on right calamity, part Of then
having to cross Green river, and fell in upOr
the right and left flank with as much appar
ent GOODNESS as II this had been their hun
dredth battle instead of their first Ther
followed an almost hand to hand conflict
lasting fully an hour. The enemy strove il
vain to draw the Germans up the hill b.
feigned retreats. A masked battery was b
planted as TO have swept our brave fellow
fore and aft, had they for a moment permit
ted their Valor to get the better Of their dis
cretion but, knowing the fearful odds ar
rayed against them they were content Il
hold their ground.
| Finally, when the enemy despaired o
/ getting them into the ambush, they unmask
ed their battery and opened FIRE. The frs
ball passed between the Adjutant and MGjo
Of the regiment who occupied positions no
many feet apart. The belching cannon wa
the signal Of smother onset by the TexaI
cavalrymen, and right well did they perforr
I the work. Capt. Welschbellich, Compan,
: @, formed his men in hollow square and tn
cavalrymen charged their front, their RICH
and their left, but they were as adamant th
square remained unbroken, while many
the Texans, equally brave, but less success
: full because they were the attacking party
, bit the dust The esvalrymen retired, di:
. comfted, and then an entire regiment {
rebel infantry darkened the hill and cam
marching down towards the brave men CON
. posing Company G, but a CALLING FIRE fror
our front and right scattered their forces an
gave them something else to think abou
Col. Which had been ordered on duty q
i headquarters, and consequently did not q
e to his regiment until the heat of the battl
was over. The regiment was forced to fs
back a short distance, not being able to stan
against the artillery. The rebels did nc
? pursue. They carried of their wounded
o and then beat a hasty retreat. ]. is know
that the rebel force consisted of Terry's reg
iment Of cavalry, two regiments Of infsntr
and three pieces Of cannon. The rebels LEI
/ fo~rty-nine killed. Their number of wound
D ed is not known, but it is undoubtedly lsrg'
Dec. Is.
This morning they sent in a flag Of trucl
under which they are interring their deaf
Q Willich's entire forces only numbered Al
including commissioned officers, non-con
misoned officers and p~riYates.