The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1861-10-24

shot in his stomach. Next, another who
had lost an arm, and was fainting from loss
of blood Then came three or four slight
ly wounded, leaning on the shoulders OF
their comrades, Not far from me in a
little ravine, lay three rebels, one dead,
another dying and third slightly wound
ed The latter was placed in an ambulance,
and carried to our hospital. Away up the
road, scattered on it's sides, some sitting,
some lying, were exhausted infantry men,
most Of whom seemed totally unconcerned
as to the strife and at other points of
viewing distance, groups OF unengaged
cavalry were viewing the strife with deep
interest. For thirty-ive minutes our bat
teries kept up an unceasing fire. First
one, and then another rebel gun was dis
mounted, until only one remained. This
was peppered with shell and shot, but we
| were unable to do more than slacken its
| fire.
After the enemy had been driven from
| their lower entertainments and their bat
| terry reduced to one gun, our artillerists
slackened their fire, and took it more
easily The infantry frightened up, ex-
pecting orders to charge the works. But
| the General, however, who was more
observant, did not give the order. When
! the fire of our batteries was raging the
| most fearfully, the rebels sent up two or
three rockets, which the General supposed
was signal to hurry up expected rein
| forcements, from the mountain road, as
did others who were of the same opinion.
They did not have long to wait. Down
| the mountains in the rear of the camp,
1P, fal
| bringing with them several pieces of artil-
lery of superior character. The rein
forcements were received with ceeers by
their rebel and badly beaten comrades
| The fresh pieces were planted upon the
upper works, and sent forth a new tune
from the rebel side. They were at first
badly served, the shots going far overhead
| This they ascertained, and began to take
| pretty good aim.
Our artillerists, delighted with the new
guns, went at it once more with full force,
and no more cheers were heard in the
rebel camp. They also threw shells into
the timber, above where it was supposed
the fresh infantry had sheltered them
selves, and with the naked eye a great
scampering from the bushes could be
observed.
In the meantime the Colonels began to
grow fdgety. They did not like the idea
of the artillery enjoying all the fun, and
asked that the infantry be allowed to ''go
in."
A council of war was held. The Col
onels proposed to take the new batteries
by storm The General opposed this at
once, as even if successful it would involve
% FL
posed to outhank the enemy, and take the
camp in that way. Their blood was up,
and though they knew that if the position
| was taken it would be barren victory,
they wanted 10 try their hand. L say a
barren victory, but if the enemy had been
routed, the position is now of no use to
us, and had our infantry worked in on the
flank, the road was open for the enemy
| to scamper off up the mountain.
But, Gen. Reynolds, appreciating the
valor of our troops, consented to let the
infantry try flank movement, and, if
| they could do nothing more, gain ipfor-
nation as to the location of the ground.
| The enemy observed the movements, and
paving but little attention to our batteries,
prepared to receive the infantry as they
marched up through the woods.
All the regiments received the order
to advance with cheers, the Fourteenth
and Fifteenth throwing off their coats,
and preparing for free use of the bayo-
net The Seventh took the lead, and the
rest followed bravely. They had proceeded
but short distance, however, before the
rebels turned several of their guns to the
timber, and sent into it terrible fire of
shell and canister. The Seventh Indiana
broke and ran, their officers endeavored
in vain to stop them. Their conduct
caused some trepidation among the other
regiments, but, at the command, they
righted, and were about to advance, when
orders came from General Reydolds to
withdraw Though the trees seemed to
rain shot and shell, but few men were
hurt under them.
The artillery had now fired about 100
shot and shells, and were nearly out of anu
munition Loomis had nothing left but
canister and Howe was nearly as bad
off. Daum's piece had been disabled and
hauled off. Under these circumstances,
the General having gratifed the infantry,
ordered an end to the engagement.
Loomis gave the Grcenbrier Camp a
parting blessing in the shape of canister,
and the artillery was despatched on its
return to this point The infantry follow
ed, tarrying, however, some time in the
valley, hoping the rebels would come out
! and give them field fight of three to one.