The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-11-13


md rained through the leaves across the I
|ittle meadow. The 24sh men retursed
the fire. though Of course not very etfec-
lively, and fell back q few steps They
loaded aud returned to receive another
FIRE more destructive than the former; they
fred and again fell back. Major Bell
then came up, and ordered them again to
Capt. Weller asked him if he
the expedition. He replied
that he did. Capt. Weller then said, Il
do not conside. you in fit condition to
command; think you are drunk, and
will not order my men to advance again
The Major then fell to cursing and abusing
him outfageously. We had by this time
advanced to within hundred yards OF the
place where the firing occurred. when an
order came down the limo to "about face"
and double quick" After waiting until
We saw the others coming down the road
upon us, We turned about. and moved at
double quick for perhaps City yards. We
then came to halt. and our men. assisted
in carrying of the wounded We were
in good order oil the time excepting
little confusion while the groaning and
bleeding wounded were being carried
through our ranks.
give the command to Lieut.. Jones,
with directions to proceed while ! would
return aud ascertain what was done and
what was to be done. Going back short
distance met Major Bell, sohe 'oas very
drunk, and quarreling with Capt Weller.
1 finally got hearing, and did my utmost
to induce the Major to give the order to
return to camp. He swore he was going
to advance again. ! told him the men
would not 60, and so far as my command
was concerned it was going back to camp.
He swore terribly. but was determined
that I would not attempt to lead men into,
a place where they would certainly be shot
down, and where there was no possibility
of returning the fire effectively. l thers>
fore followed up my company and directed
that it should move on to our camp. AS
it was not at all certain that tho Secesh
had not got in the rear of Us to cut of
our retreat, I took half dozen men, and
went as advance guard. while Lieut.. Jones
took charge Of the company and superin-
tended the bringing on of the wounded, /,
four of whom were being carried BY our
company. The wounded men were car
ried up the mountain, . distance Of near
8 miles, aud placed in . building where
there was good fire. aud where their
wounds were dressed by q surgeon. We
remained until sufi,ient force arrived to
abundantly guard the house, when we
started for camp where We arrived just at
daylight. a
The number of killed in the engage
meut was four, and the wounded seven,
all from the 24;h Ohio regiment.
On the day of our return to camp,
wrote report of the. expedition, stating
in plein English the drunkenness of Major
Bell, and his conduct toward the officers,
and it has been signed by the differen,
Captains, and handed it to Gen. Milroy.
II is now alleged that Major Bell is not
a commissioned officer at all, and am
very certain it will be SO proven! If he
is not, a great outrage has been commit
ted in sending such an expedition under
his command, and somebody shall suffer
the consequences: If he is, he will eer-
tainly be dismissed from the service in dis
grace. Major Bell is from Indiana. The
matter is now in proper hands for investi-
CATION, and it may yet cause some change
in the military arrangements in this part
of Virginia. SIS 2o
This letter is now long enough and az
1 have nothing else Of Importance to COM
municate to. day / remain, still
Z Fsa55 4sa JERE.
p. 8. What in the Sam Patch has
become of the last two letters I wrote
yous 2n @ @