Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-02-20
waited orders from the Commanding
RAIN STORM.

At II o CLOCK p. Ius tuc ram DeSdu 10
fall in torrents, and continued throughout
the night. A cold north east wind was
blowing, and the whole army was obliged
to stand or lie upon their arms upon the
wet ground, without shelter. Itwas try
ing night to the troops, already weakened
by months close confinement on board
of the ships, and was well calculated to
dampen the ardor of veterans. The norm
ing dawned upon them, wet, hungry and
fatigued.
MOVING TO THE ATTACK. !
Let the reader bear in mind that Hp to
this time no reconnaissance had been able
TO discover the strength Of The enemy
They were variously reported from ten to
fifteen thousand strong. They were con-
cealed entirely from view by dense for
est. and their position it was impossible
to ascertain, without the certainly Of fall
ing into an ambush or of being swept by
masked batteries. The greatest circum-s
spection, as well as the coolest courage
were necessary in looking for an enemy
under such circumstances. fr' t1s
THE ADVANCE. - 1i
At d o'clock a. m, Gen. Foster adj
vanced along the narrow road with the
25th Massachusetts, 9th Massachusetts,
10th Connecticut. and the 5th R. /. bat
tallion of Gen. Parke's Brigade. He care-
fully reconnoitered the road which swept
round from the right of the open field to
the left in semicircle. Gen. Reno
brought up his Brigade, consisting of the
2lst Mass, 5lst N. Y, 9th N. j. and
5Ist Penn. The troops in passing along
this road waded at times, ankle deep in
mud aud water, and at nolime were able
to see over fifty yards ahead. Right and
left of the road the woods were very dense,
a thick chapperal obscuring the view, and
the whole way being continuous swamp.
A portion of the troops went on the doub-
le quick, but the entire column was so
packed into the narrow roadway that their
progress was slow and laborious. Skir-
mishers from the 25th Massachusetts, were
deployed to observe the first appearance of
the enemy. 9
sTEADINEss OF oURTRooPs. sa
Gen. Reno now came in with his Brig
ade, consisting of the 2Ist Mass, 5lst N.
Y, 5lst PENN, and 9th N. j., andpushisg
through the swamps and tangled under
growth, took up a position on the right,
with the views of turning the enemy
This was done with the greatest aIaerity.
Meanwhile the contest ragged hotiy in front,
our men behaving gallantly,, not wavering
for a moment. The Massachusetts men
We'd with the men of'Connecticut; those
of N. Y. ard NJ j. couragously supporting
their brethren of Pennsylvania. Our troops
were gradually overcoming the difficulties
which impeded their approach, and though
fighting at great disadvantage, and suffer-
ing severely, were making steady adj
vance. Regulars were never more steady
Gen. Burnside was near the place of land
ing, hurrying up. the reserves, receiving.
reports, and, so far as practicable, giving
orders. sl-l. al
TERRIFIC CHARGE OF THE zoUAvEs. %
The ammunition of our artillery getting
short, and our men having suffered severe.
y, a charge was the only method of dis
lodging the enemy. AT this juneture,
Major Aimball, of Hawkins Zouares IN.
Y. 9th) offered to lead the charge, and
storm the battery with the bayonet. "You
are the man, the 9th the regimsnt, and
this the moment! Zouares. storm the
battery Forward p was Gen. Fosters re-
ply. They started On the run, yelling like
devils, clleered by our forces on every side
Colonel Hawkins, who was leading two
companies in the flank movement, joined
his regiment on the way. On they went,
with fixed bayonets, shouting sZou! Zou!
Zou y into the battery, cheered more Iosd-5
ly than ever. The rebels, taking fright, as
tho Zouayes started, went out when they
went in, leaving pretty much everything
behind them, not even stopping TO spike
their guns, or take away their dead and
wounded, that had not been removed.
THE PURSUIT. i9 z
Gen. Foster Immediately reformed his
brigade, while Gen. Reno, with the 2lst
Massachusetts and 9th New York, went in
pursuit. Following in quick time, Gen.
Foster overlook Gen. Reno, who had halt
ed to make movement to cut off the re-
treat of a body of rebels, numbering be-
tween 500 and 1000 on the left, near
Wier's Point, and not far from tho upper.
battery. Takinga paft of his force, Gen.
Reno pushed on in that direction. Il be-
ing understood that there was a two gun
battery near SheHbag Bay, Col. Hawkins
with his Zouaves, was dispatched in that.
direction. .f Es5 -saE
THE FLIGHT AND SURRENDER.
Gen. Foster pushed on at double quick
with the 9th Massachusetts, followed by
an adequate force, in the tracks of tho
rebels, who, panic-strickep, were fleeing at
the top of their speed, throwing away as
they went, guns, equipments, everything,
so that the road for miles was strewn with
whatever the fugitives could disencun,ber
themselves of. Thus was the pursuit tkept
up for five or six miles, when Gen. Foster,
as he was close on the heels Of the enemy,
was met by flag of truce borne by Col.5
Pool of the sth North Carolina, with a
message from Col. Shaw of the North
Carolina forces, and now senior in COM
mand, asking what terms of capitulation
would be granted. Cen. Fosters answer
was Unconditional surrender" Col. Pool
wanted to know how much time would be
granted. "No longer than will enable you
TO report TO your seuior." Col. P. retired,
and, alter waiting for what be supposed
was sufficient length of time without a
reply, Gen. +. commenced closing on the