Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-12-25
Received by Monday Evenings Mai
BATTLE AT DRAINEsvILLE.

On Friday morning the 2Oth, at O'Clock,
Gen. Ord started on a foraging expedition to
Dransville. His command consisted of four
full regiments the Bucktail Rifles, Licuten-
ant Colonel Kane, and Eatson's battery, con-
sisting of two twelve pound howitzers. Gen.
Mccall. anticipating they might be attacked,
ordered First and Second brigades to follow
at eight A. NJ. The First brigade, General
Reynolds, advanced on the Leesburg turn
pike, and took position on Difficult creek
to await further orders. Two hours later Gen.
Mccall, with his staff and escort of cavalry,
followed by the same route. Meantime Gen.
Ord advanced toThornton's House, near Drains
vile, when his command suddenly fired
upon by force lying in ambush in dense
woods adjacent. This was the signal of bat
tie, and brisk engagement promptly ensued.
The fire FIRST opened by the rebel battery
throwing solid shot, she'll and canister. This
was Immediately responded to by Easton's
battery with market effect. The infantry on
both sides soon engaged in the conflict, and at
times not more than 60 yards apart.
After fighting about hour, shell from our
rebels caissons, making fearful havoc-three
of the rebels having their heads blown COM
pletely off land others being horribly mutilated.
At this time the enemy wavered and showed
disposition to run, when Gen. Ord gave the
command to charge which, was gallantly obey
ed, and at once the rebels fed in tie direction
of Fairfax Court House, leaving on the Fl ED
l., how Of fbai l. lnH a,H 6a1
Our men followed the rebels for upwards of
a mile, when Gen. Mccall arrived on the
ground and a recall ordered, and our
troops fell back to the position vacated by the
rebels. The victory on the part OF our troops
is considered the more brilliant as they had
never before been in action. They have been
highly complmented by both Gen. Mcclellan
and Gen. Mccall. Gen. Ord is highly com
plimented by Gen. Mccall in his dispatches
to headquarters, for his gallantry and skill du
aing the day.
The rebel force consisted of four regiments
of infantry, composed of South Carolineans,
Alabamians, and kentuckians, with one bat
terry of six pieces and regiment of cavalry.
They had taken position in dense woods.
EaSlOHS battery was III LhoiIeh1 piduleu
alongside the Thornton House, and fired rap
idly and with terrible effect into the enemy's
ambush. Col. Kane's "Bucktai rihemen"
were placed in advance, and fired upon the
enemy VIII erever they made their appearance
The rebels replied briskly with both cannon
and muskets.
The rebel loss is heavy. The scene in the
woods presented all the horrors of a sanguina-
ry battle field-the dead and dying laying
strewn in every direction. Sixty dead rebels
we're found on the field, and ses enty-one of
the wounded rebels received surgical treat
ment from DR.. Lowman and his assistants,
having been taken to neighboring house for
that purpose. Their loss cannot fall short of
Der of prisoners.
A large number of trophies were secured by
our troops, such as swords, pistols and guns,
as well as two cannon-besdes blankets, great
coats, etc. The prisoners are poorly dressed
and their clothes filthy, and they give deplor-
able accounts of the condition of the rebel
army.
Our loss is six killed and 40 wounded.
Lieut.. Col. Kane was wounded in the cheek.
Among the wounded are John I. . Barnett and
James G lenn, who belong to Capt Twins COM
pany.
DIED:
- On the 18th December, in Philadelphia, WIN.
PRECISION, son of John III. and Martha A. r.
Bradley, aged years, months and days.