The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1862-09-19

Through the kindnes, Of Major DEWoLF
we arc furnished with a report Of the par
taken by the gallant 55th, in the fight OF H.,
30th ult. Wcpubish it for the qualification
of the numerous friends Of that Regiment il
this vicinity. AS advanced yidettes il haC
the most dangerous aud responsible position
OF any yet, officers aud men, maintained t,
the letter the honor OF old Seneca and al
joining counties. which in return. send salu
tatioh aud greeting TO their noble sons anC
brothers in the field:
IIEADQUARTERs, 55TH REGIMENT O. W.
CAMP AUGLAIs. Sept. Sd, 1862.
CART Il. IL. ALLEN,
A. A. A. General -
/ have, Sir, in obedieaee to orders, to re-
port Of the 5jth Regiment, U. ", since it.
arrival at Rappahannoek Station, on the e2ls
ult., Hs followsi
/ From the 2lst to the 99th inclusive, ia,
Regiment was constantly on duty with the
Brigade, but not actually engaging the en-
emy at any time. On the 29lh il was mucl
of the day under fire Of the enemy s artillery
with serious injury to no Que, but with some
bruises to several On Saturday the 30th
about - NJ, my regiment was separated froT
the brigade by order of Col. Mclean, ant
posted as a vidette between as | supposed
the left ol Gen. Schencks Division, and tn,
right of Gen. Reynolds, who formed tn,
right Of Gen. McDowall's line. My position
was assigned me by member Of Gen. Sigcli
Staff, with instructions ms above stated. Thi,
position was to the left Of Centrevillc Pike
about 100 rods; the Brigade being close u
and on the right hand side. found bat
terry OH the first ridge ON the left aud in from
Of me, aud a regiment of Infantry to the LEFT
and rear Of the battery, from me distant SO
rods. With the battalion ma,sed in column
by Division, on the Eastern slope of the
ridge. to protect it from the frequent solid
shot of the enemy's artillery, remainsd uL'
I'll nearly 3 z. NJ The battalion of infantry
then moved to the left and rear, behind the
woods ON the left, but without communicat.
ing with me-almOst simultaneously, | saw
seyeral battalions of intantry pass by ths
flank castwardly, and to the rear Of my posi-
tion, along the north side of this piece o
woods. Muskctry was heard ON the soutl
and west side Of the woods. at once dis
patched Capt. Gambee, with this iniorma
tion, to Col. Mclean, who had moved tn,
balance Of the brigade 10 the ridge in my
rear. ! also made rapidly to the retreatinl
forces above mentioned, but could learr
nothing more than that the enemy was in til,
woods and advancing. The balls from the
snemy's musketry Yet unseen, began to ial
upon us. By order the column was rapidly
deployed to the left and the battalion advane
ed rapidly forward toward the crest Of th,
hill, but at the same time, there eame ovel
the hill and passing numerously in our ront
federal soldiers, driven by the advancing en-
omy, with this mass pressing against us, il
was impossible 10 fire, aud being wholly un
supported, the battalion was forced by the
rear rank aud moved rapidly over to the ridge
behind US. where we reformed on the right o
the 18th, under Col, McLeans order. Ia
this position we fired upon the enemy who
had fastly gained tho top Of tie ridge we had
left, and from it he fell back. The enemy
appearing upon our lett flank, the batta ion
was wheeled to the loft. at the same time do.
liverlng destructive fire. Our alyance was
made and the enemy held at bay for some
time, when he fell back, slowly at first but
soon rapidly into the woods. Their flag fell
three times. At this tie battalion advanced
with enthusiastic cheers. The colors were
often pierced, but kept up and unlurled. Al.
though the euemy had disappeared from our
front, he appeared in overwhelming numbers
upon our left, and new right aanks, aud with
reihfOreements upon our 'front.' Thus engae-
cd, the fighting continued until Col. Mclean
ordered Withdrawal from the field. With
tn colors we came OF, having upon the field
dead and wounded, and losing them as pris.
onri,
OF the first deployment into line, the fall
ing back TO the brigade, the reforming and
the change offront, all under murderous
fire ofan overw helming force, l must say
that they reflect much credit upon both men
and company officers. In justice ] cannot
distinguish between officers. or soldiers fol
good behavior, all, brave and true.
Owing to meagre transpo rtation for th,
sick, some were picked up by the enemy il
the course ofour several marches.
have the honor to be your most obedien
servant,
j. @. LEE,
Col. 55th Reg't, o. v. eomd'g.