Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-06-13
lFrom Cen. Fremont,a column.


morning. A cavalry force was sent on
reconnaissance four miles beyond The town,
which came on n large force of cavalry and
infantry strongly posted 10 the woods. Col
Wyndham, who had pushed the reconnois.
ance three miles further than ordered, rash.
ly led forward the lst New Jersey cavalry,
aud was driven by infantry in ambush
Colonel Wyndhsm is prisoner, and Capls.
Stellwyn and Haynes killed or severely
wounded and prisoners.
Captain. Charles is missing. All the
officers brayely and vainly cndeavored to
rally their men, Captain Janeway gall
lantly attempted a flank movement which
covered the retreat Of the first battallion.-
He is unhurt. The regiment lost thirty
five in killed, wounded and missing Gen.
Bayard, of tho Bucktail or Kane Rifles,
and first Pennsylvania cavalry. and Chu-
serett's brigade Of tho 9th Ohio and 9Th
Virginia, were ordered forward to the sup
port and drove the enemy from their posi-
tion, capturing their camp and lines with
out loss. The Kane Rifles numbered 1876
and found themselves opposed and fanked
in the woods by four regiments Of infantry
and cavalry, and before they could be with
drawn, suffered severely. Lieut. Col. Kane
is severely wounded and a prisoner, Capt.
Taylor was also wounded and captured,
Capt. w. F. Blanchard was wounded severe
y, Lieut.. J. j. Swayne, probably killed.
After a most gallant fight the Rifles were
driven back with loss of ifty-fve killed,
wounded and missing. The rebels brought
up their artillery and used it with effect.
Jackson is thought to have left the main
road and has either halted the main column
for battle or greatly strengthened his rear
guard and posted his trains, which are in
confusion, on the road.
HEADQUARTERS MouNTA1N DEPT,
HARRIsoNBURe,J June Z,
To Hon. E. NJ. Stanton, Secretary of War:
The army reached this place at o'clock
yesterday driving out the enemy's rear
guard from the town. Severe Skirmishing
continued from that time till dark, the enc
mys rear being closely pressed by our ad-
vance. At four o'clock the First N. York
cavalry, after driving the enemy through
the village, fell into an ambuscade in the
woods to the southeast Of the town in which
Col. Andham of that regiment was captur-
ed and considerable loss sustained. Col.
Chaseret, with his brigade, subsequently,
engaged the enemy in the timber driving
him from his position and taking his camp.
Al about o'clock battalion Of Colonel
Kane'S Pennsylvania regiment entered the
woods under the direction of Brig. General
Bayard and maintained for half an hour a
vigorous attack, in which both sides suffer
ed severely, driving the enemy. The ene-
my attempted to shell our troops, but few
shots from one Of our batteries soon silen-
ced his guns. After dark the enemy con-
tinued his retreat. Full particulars will be
forwarded by mail.
(Signed) &C. FREMONT.
June I, o. P. M-The attack upon the
enemy's rear ofyestcrday, pricpitated his
retreat. Their loss in killed and wounded is
very severe. Their retreat was almost by
an impossible road, along which, many
wagons were left in the woods, and wagon
loads of blankets, clothiug and other equip
ments, are piled up in all directions. Dur
ing the evening many of the rebels wero
killed bv shells from battery of General
Stalls Brigade. Gen. Ashby who covered
the retreat with his whole cavalry force and
three regiments Of infantry, and who exhib-
tied admirable skill and bravery, was among
the killed. Gen. Milroy made a reconnois-
sance to day, about seven miles on the Port
Republic road, and discovered portion of
the cnemy's forces encampcd in the tim,
Der.
(Signed) J.C. FREMONT.
Major General Commanding.
Head Quarters Army in the Field, I
| Camp near Port Republic, June SO a. NJ.
TO Hon. E. NJ. Stanton, Sec'y War:
The army left Harrisonburg at o'clock a. M,
and at 81 o'clock my advance engaged the reb-
els about miles from that place near Union
Church. The enemy was very advantageously
posted in the timber, having chosen his own po-
sition forming smaller circle than our own,
and with his troops formed en- mdSSe 1t con-
sisted, undoubtedly, of JacksOn's entire force
The battle began with heavy firing at ii O'Clock
and lasted with great obstnacy and violence
until oclock p. m. Some skirmishing and ar
tillery firing continued from that time until
dark. Our troops fought occasionally under the
murderous fire of greatly superior numbers
left wing which was held by Stahl's brigade
consisting OF five regiments. The bayonet and
canister shot were used freely and with great
effect by our men. The loss OH both sides is
very great. Ours is very heavy among the Of
ficers. A full report of those who distinguish
ed themselves will be made without partiality
l desire to say that both officers and meu be-
haved with splendid gallantry, and the service
of the artillery was especially admirable. We
are encampod on the field of battle which may
be renewed at any moment.
j. G. FREMONT,
Major General Commanding.
Another account of the battle says Gen
eral Stahl, on the left, was first engaged.-
Generals MIroy and Schenck soon after
found the enemy, and the battle almost
Immediately became general. Gen. Stah,
after Shriven's battery had sheled the reb-
el position, advanced the 9Th aud 45th New
York through the woods into the open field,
on the other side Of which the enemy's
right was concealed in the woods. The sth
advanced gallantly under heavy fire, but
being so long unsupported by the 45ih and
largely outnumbcred, were finally forced to
retire. Col. Witchell was seriously wound
ed, and the whole regiment badly cut up,
losing not less than 800, more Than half
its strength.
The enemy's pursuit vas checked by ar
tillery, and Gen. Stah finally withdrew his
force to stronger position, repulsng a
flank movement and holding his wing firm