Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1861-09-07

rning began rapid and severe.
Almost with the discharge Of the first
run at us, the firing commenced on our ex-
RENE right and behind us, where Col Ty.
er was. Meanwhile the enemy were pour.
ng from the woods end ouiaanking us on
he left. We saw we were surrounded, or
nearly so, by force greatly superiorto our
own. Leaving Co. X TO hold the enemy in
check as far as possible, Maj Easement.
ordered Companies A and G. into the fields
On the right to make stand on some hills,
and rode back to bring up reipforcementS /
to oppose the enemy outnauking us on the |
left Having no command Of my own, |
kept close along by him. The cross firing |
and whistle Of the MIME bullets about MS
and over US was not the most pleasant music |
have heard, and our horses evidently
thought the same, for they were nearly
frantic and unmanageable with fright. 1t
was impossible to get reinforcements. In
fact, the men under Col Tyler could not
maintain their own positions, but were fall
ing back, and brave men though they were,
needed urgent commands to keep them from
disastrous panic. With q word here and
there, we galloped along the lines. But the
battle was evidently against us. Co. X.
was driven in The enemy was cosiug on
A and G, and pouring deadly volleys into
them. They fought desperately and brave
ly but the odds were two heavy. Against
Capts Cranes and ShurtlH7s companies OH
a little hill, the heaviest Ere seemed to be
directed We trenbled for them, knowing
how heroically they would fight, and fear
ing they would be nnnihlated. Still on
and on in increasing numbers, and cheering
as they came, the enemy pressed, and our
brave fellows sullenly retired before them
Co. X was dispersed Companies A and
G were driven into the woods. And the
other companies, under Col Tyler had given
way from the road and church into field
and wood on the other side. Just then
Capt Dyer was struck by bullet in the
breast aud killed. And still on 10 front and
on the right aud left, the enemy was press.
ing. We were driven from all our portions
and were nearly surrounded. Our destruc-
tion, or the capture Of the entire regiment,
seemed inevitable. | have seen much Of
Major Easement and seen him in many
moods, but never saw such an expression
as his face then wore-pale, fierce, deter.
mined but cool ami Self-collected, | felt !
cou,d follow him anywhere, and follow him
! l did We rode down toward the head of
| the advancing column OF the enemy on the
right calling 10 some companies of our men
to follow US. But they did not move Col.
! Tyler tells me he ordered them to remain
! there. Perhaps it was better they did not.
No good could have come Of it, Just then
my mare plunged into wet ditch covered
by grass from sight fell, and threw me, es-
Gaping from me. The Major caught her
! for nae, and we started to some of our men
father up on our extreme left. To do this,
it was necessary TO pass through some corn.
fields aud piece Of wood in which was a
deep rocky gorge filed with fallen logs and
brush Crossing this gorge we got separat
ed and saw the Major no more. When
emerged from the woods, the battle seemed
10 be over.
None of our men were visible save Col
Tyler, sitting on his horse, close Oh tn
point of hill, overlooking the battle field
indeed, IN it. | rode up to him along th
border Of another piece of woods. In
were a number Of our men, standing in ol
der TO repel an attack, who called to me o
3 l rode along to come in and save mysel
, IcontinuGd on, however, feeling that tt
chances of doing that were small, and thu
e the time for trying it had not yet com
I The coolest heart would have been tOuche
for Col. Tyler in that hour. His proud or
o pet regiment seemed to be annihlated q
= who had come on the field with him kille
e wounded, or captured. He turned to n
If as l rode up and quietly said, "All s lost
t. is there no way by which we can escape
4. ! told him | thought there was. and '
If rode off together. Presently Col. Creig
If ton Joined US. And we three slowly al
y most Reluctantly entered the woods, / ha
lr ing more knowledge than either of them
v that part Of the country, acting as guit
ne On our way we we're joined by one ingiti
after another, including DIR. Salter, a
- John and Charlie, the Majors and 20
=. neps black servants, till we numbered
"a or 60 persons. We threaded our "
mr. through the woods and across fields, a
or came out at length on the road mile q
~ q half below Cross Lanes toward the Fo
We We expected at every turn to be cut
bo but were not. When once sure that
A were safe Col. Creighton and rode rapi
nm forward TO camp, and started our bagg
n train, and not a moment too soon, ns
K afterwards learned. Col. Tyler and tn
tho with him came along more slowly,
n barely reached the camp when the eDen
,ts cavalry rode up in pursuit the captain
am. it taking deliberate aim az the Colonel,
.ide missing him by few inches. Finding
nee. prize gone, aud fearing an ambuscade,
for returned, cursing the damned Yank
the as they rode off
ord, There we were, with our baggage tr
we one company of men and 6ftY fugitves
that seemed to be left of the Seventh
,ent ment. Our return to Gauley Bridge
ard anything but triumph.
Ty. But just after dark Capt Crane and
uar. Burgess came in, fringing with them s
tie Of their men and a. secession Aag, Com[
$ in A had captured. This was the 6rst
ros- Of hope. In the morning DR.. Gushing
ent, went back with flag Of trnce to
d |, after the dead and wouned. And The
e Of we were not permitted to go nearer
all within three miles of Cross Lanes, We