Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-12-27
Letter from KentucIkY.

CAMP GEORGE WooD, Mumfordsville, KY,
December 18th, 1861.
FRIEND KEELER:-To-day sadness marks the
features of the living, and shadow of gloom
pervades the camp. Yesterday we were arous-
ed by the firing of the rebels upon our picket
guards. The firing commenced at l o'clock, p.
m. across Green river about two miles from our
camp. There were four companies of the Ger
man regiment under command of Col. Which,
known as the 32d Indiana regiment, and be-
longing to our brigade under the command of
Gen. johnson, that were attacked by the rebels,
consisting of one regiment of Cavalry, known
az the Texas Rangers; two regiments of lnfan-
try and one battery of Artillery, composed of
four 6-pounders. The fight ragged fiercely for
one hour, when the enemy were repulsed. Our
loss was 12 killed and l6 wounded, consisting
of one Lieutenant aud eleven privates. The
rebel loss was 40 killed and upwards of so
wounded. Among their dead was Col. Terry,
of the Texas Rangers and one Major. Terry,
understand, is a brother of Judge Terry of CAL
iforna, the murderer of Broderick.'
Col. Willichs command was at one time near
ly surrounded by the rebels, and dispatched a
messenger to Gen. johnson for re-enforcements,
when the General Immediately ordered out the
49th regiment of Ohio Volunteers to its assist
anee. The regiment was ready, and in ten min
utes it was on its way to the battle field. We
went the whole distance of two miles on a run
up and down hills, across the river and to thu
aid of the brave German boys from Indiana anC
III nf oil ,fh har To thai
aid, and the first to plant the emblem of Liber
ty upon Kentucky soil claimed to be under thu
control of that arch traitor-Jeff Davis. UpoI
the approach of the 49th regiment, the euem.
ignimoniously fled. Our whole regiment I'M
mediately deployed as skirmishers and our sol
diers emptied Sc saddles of the rebel cavalry
and some trophies tell of the victory of tn
Union arms in our Brigade. After skirmishine
until dark our regiment returned, concealed our
selves behind hill, threw out picket guards al
night, and those that slept that night slept upon
their arms ready for any emergency. But moth
ing disturbed the harmony of that night, for the
enemy were in full retreat. We were relieved
to-day at noon, having had nothing to eat fol
one day.
This morningt the enemy approached our line
with flag oftruee for the purpose of obtain
ing their dead for burial. The enemy ha'
principally carried off their dead during tn
night To see the dead and wounded was
sorrowfal sight Several dead bodies of th'
rebels were found this morning, with their fee
eaten off, sides of their faces mangled and theil
entrails partly eaten out by hogs.
While some Germans had gathered their dead
aogetheT, the rebels made a dash at them viii
their Cavalry for the purpose of plundering th'
-e0Bpsss They numbered 300 strong, but on'
company, true to their dead countrymen, stOOC
in an open field, exposed TO the impetuou
.ohange Of the enemy and hand 10 hand en-
-oounter with them. The brave Germans stooc
their ground mmoVable--bayoneted horses ant
riders--and preserved the bodies of their coun
trymen from rebel thievesand murderers. To
day they buried them with due military hon
ors There their bloody and wounded bodies
lie, with myrtle wreath upon their breasts and
a spFig Of evergreen in their hands. Side BY
side they laid them, and the spot of earth that
contains the mortality Of those Spartan soldier
win ever be held sacred by all true Americans
, One Lieutenant was bayoneted by our troops
and they took his gold spectacles off his eye
and closed them in peace.
One rebel was shot from his horse and imme
diately bayonetcd, and blood spouted out ofth'
gun AZ the lock.
They stripped all of our dead that they go
a chance for their clothes, which indicates ths'
the rebelshage not got anoyerplus Of the article
"A The PayInaster has been here and paid the
4sth their wages up to the 3lst of October, and
the boys ars greatly pleased thereat. They are
sendihg all the money they have 10 spare to Their
friends at home. Bot ascending to give the reb-
els the slightest chance for feast at their ex.
peRse. 5s.i ...a s. ia.- -.
The force here now Is ahaat $4,000 men; there
is IN ihis division l00ae0 men under arms
aWai1ne orders We are expecting more troops
from Ohio every day.
Gen. Nelson's Brigade Is At New Haven. 20
niiles from here. 10 y, f4aa 4l ~
This Division viii undoubtedly move forward