The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1861-12-19

iNoI aBa'u W ihelI mhlu DOuy. ror rear
that they should cross the river at that
ford, the Seventeenth Regiment, with
three pieces from Standards battery were
ordered to proceed to Mill Springs, recon.
noiter the enemy, if possible, take and
hold position opposite them. Captain
Dillon sfWolford's cavalry was ordered
to march with his company to the ford
Immediately. and protect our ADVANCE
Instead of doing so he stopped about four
miles from our camp and remained there
till morning, when. at the urgent entrea.
ty of our Capt. Rickets, who accompa-
MED him, be sent his men forward, re,
naming himself till we had passed. The
road was bad and our march was tedious,
but by o'clock we were within two and
a half miles of the Ford, There we met
Cap! Ricketts, and Dillon's men. They
reported that the rebels were in full force
on the opposite bluff. but saw no iudica.
tons Of them on our side of the river. =
After proceeding short distance further
on, we halted in a little valley opening on
the river. We there could see the smoke
Of the rebel camp fires curling up th,
mountains across the river. We could
hear the echoes OF axes, and occasionally
the shout or song Of zollicoffsr's men. -
A range Of woods lay between us and
their camp, hidining them from our view.
While we rested. picket was thrown
in advance, and Col: Connell with Lieut..
Sipher of the artillery, and several other
officers rode forward to reconnoier the
ensny's position and to select place for
camp. Finding that my horse had cast
u shoe, [ "retreaied" 10 blacksmith shop
a mile 10 the rear OF the regiment, to have
it replaced. While there heard several
shots, but supposing them to be on the
other side OF the river PAID no attention to
them at the time. l had gone but lit.
tie distance on my return to the regiment
when / INST boy making his way quite
rapidly toward place of safety. "What's
the news?" "0h, there's good deal Of
uewsl There's going to be a fight in a
few minutes. The Colenel is killed and
Captain Ricketts, is taken prisoner" Bad
enongh news, thought. The next man
Informed me that Colonel's horse had com
back without his rider, and that Captain
, Rippey was either killed or captured -
!, However, when | reached the head Of the
regiment. l found Col. Conuell there, dis
guised quite effectually inside Of Captiar
Stincbcomb's hat, and Captain Ripe,
t with his company. But all eyes were
turned anxiously up the road which lee
over hill toward tie Ford. Captain
Ricketts, was still gone, and probably cap
,ured. A party Of rebel cavarly bad rid
deu suddenly on our little band of officers
r Our pickeis had for some reason failed tC
give notice Of the enemy's approach. ono
the horsemen had got within forty yard
of Col. G. before he was aware Of ihei
. coming. He was some distance in ad
, vance, Captain Ricketts, and Lioutenau
e Sipher being the ouly ones OF the part,
near him. As lie turned bis horse, tn
: enemy had fired upon him. After iun
Z ming short distance the horse had sprung
suddenly to one side, frightened by
!. stump. the saddle had turned, the grit
broken and the Colonel was thrown heav
= lily to the ground. Rising. he had falle
again.; sharp pain in his side, caused b
= his fall, made him believe he had bee
l. wounded. The horrors Of capture an
: the condition Of his regiment flased acros
q his mind. "For Gods sake. Ricketts,
take me behind you." Capt. R Instant
. turned, rode back, jumped of bis horse
s "ihere, Colonel, take him; | 1iave eleve
8 shots and they cant get me, and rs
o for cover. There was no time for pr:
tests against such noble generosity. Co
G was uuarmed and hurt, and so climbin
T. into the saddle he made his way to u
g tie rest Of his little band accompanyin
i. him. Two pistol shots showed ihot Cap
Ia Ricketts, was determined 10 sell his III
= dearly, but all was uncertainty as 10 h
:" fate. Col. g., with two or three other
l. started back 10 the hill top to try to lear
i, what had become of him. We sloo
t. Watching. with beating hearts, but scarce
" y a whisper. All at once the word pas
ed along the there's man in Il
T. woods waving his sword" All eyes we
rs directed across an intervening field 10 IL
ID skirt of woodland. In a moment dozt
10 Of Ricketts, men are over the fence an
. running across the field. Everybody SCI
the man now, walking slowly along
% fence row. as il the captain?" II
,e must be wounded" Col. G. and tho
vs with him gallop swiftly down the fe
i. toward lhe'comer. They met him. The
is crowdiDg round him. Hats are wave
How his hand must ache with those fe
u vent grasps!
~ Some one among US calls-"Thr
" cheers for Captain Ricketts," But the
IA is no response We are too glad--t'
" CRATE ful for noisy demonstrations. B
" many a hearty "thank God" goes o
III with the deep breath of relieved suspens
n Ricketts, is safe, and heuceiorth every mi
,s. in the regiment is his brother.
A hurried council ol officers was hel
W Our reconnaissance had developed Il
d. facts that the bluffs on our side of the riv
We were completely commanded by those
ry the other side; that the snemy's artille
,w was in position, and within easy range
:. any point which we could command q