Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-04-23
Letter from Capt. o. o. Miller.
The fe + PiSh. a. Plttsburx-Death of Major

NttSI from capt. MIllel
10 MS father has been kindly offered tc
us by that gentleman, for publication. II
will be read with interest.
CHIcKAsAw BLUFFS, TESx..)
April 10th, 1862.
) Dear Friends:-I sent a line To Won ~
day but perhaps l will have time to write
al more length now, though convenience.
are few and poor. We have had no tents
snee Saturday night, and no blankets 70,
| MO nights, though there was heavy rain
10th nights, and the next M
we left our camp near Spring Hill a
week ago Sunday at 3 o'clock. P. NJ. and
marched every day till the next Sunday
morning found us butts miles from Savan-
nah, TEN We were to march 6 miles
and halt, but soon after we started heard
cannonading in the distance. which kent
up all day. Soon we received orders TO
halt draw three days rations. and move
tothe River. The teams TO be left within
two miles of Savannah. 1t was Just dark
as we passed through town and went OH
board the boat, at about 0 we showed off
and at ii landed at Pittsburg Landing. 70
miles above Savannah. We had gloomy
accounts OF the success of our troops that
day. They had been beaten back and cut
up badly, everybody said. Gen'ls Nelson
and C~rittenden's divisions both crossed
II
and lay on their arms all the rest of the
night. McCook's division crossed next
morning early. There was hard rain for
an hour about > or o'clock, during which
time Major Edwards and | stood together
and talked man undertone of the chances
and probabilities OF the succeeding dav.
Both agreed that victory must be ours. as
the enemy had attacked us on Sunday
though we might one OF both be laid low.
as a part of the price, but that if our
work was not done we should not be
killed. Before dawn had fairly opened
firing was commenced by the rebels. and
we were aroused and marched out. Gen.
Nelson's division engaged the enemy's
right, Crittenden's the centre and GenT
McCook's the left. The lines were extend
ed some seven miles and most of the
ground was thick woods and underground
of bush. We were drawn up in line of
battle several times, and changed positions
when, about g or Q o'clock, our skirmish-
ers drew the fire of the enemy's cannon
toward us. The first shell burst in a tree
directly over my head, but | was not hit
nor was any of my men. They came thick
and fast but were over our heads at first,
finally they came closer and we laid down.
In about fifteen minutes after the firing
toward us commenced the Major fell dead
by a six FOUNDER cannon ball. You can
scarcely imagine how felt when | knew
he was really dead. But l had a heavy
responsibility resting on my shoulders yet.
and | had NJ time to think of my loss
The battle was terrific. We were support
ing a Battery and changed our position
three or four times, but were not ordered
to fire till some time after, when we did
there was a steady roar from the 10Th. l
have s wounded men, none killed. Two
| of Capt. STATIONS men were killed, Pow
ell of Niles and Horace Baily of Mineral
Ridge, and some wounded. In the after
noon we were ordered to the support OF
Gen1 Nelson's left wing, and were under
his command when the battle closed, and
encamped with the 4lst for the night.
SATURDAY, P. M, 18th.
Wednesday morning we were ordered
back to GenT Crittenden's division. After
the firing ceased Monday l was ordered to
take my Company to our part of the bat
tie ground and care for the bodies of the
dead and wounded of. u Regiment
There was but one of our men left ON the
field. Found DIR. Harxthal there, and
went with him to our Hospital Station
where the Majors body lay, l intended to
send it home, and went down to the land
ing to get a coffin made. Ny Company
was to 90 TO the place where we left our
knapsacks in the morning, and stay one
night and join the Regiment in the morn
ing, or wait for orders. | took Dick
early Tuesday morning and rode down to
the river to sec about the coffin, but it
was not done. Then | went out to our
Hospital again, and finally concluded that
the nature of the Majors wound was such
that unless l could go. with the body to
Louisville and get a metallic case, it would
not do to attempt to send it, as the trans
portation means were so limited, and /
buried him with sad feelings ! assure you,
l feel alone, though not alone for God is
with me, and the Saviour's presence can
all the warnings of my heart,
l miss my chum, my associate,
and sympathizer in everything, l trust he
is now where eternal light reigns, for l
Tim was a christian and am thank
full for the evidence | have of it.
1t took me several hours to find the
Regiment, as the battle grounds are exten-
sive and u lines that morning were ten
miles III length. At last found 1t and
was ordered to report my Company and
also to procure wagons and bring the
Regiments knapsacks and all the strag-
glers from the Regiment. Gen'l Hurl-
butts Head Quarters are near the Majors
and l had talked with him in the
forenoon. went to him and asked for
wagons to transport our knapsacks,
which were promptly given me. General
Hurlbut is a Western Genl and a gentle
nan. In due time We were safely with
he Regiment, within a few rods of the
list. l saw Capt. Opdyeke and talked
With him some time.
Next morning before daylight we were
tlled into line by some false alarm, and
TODD there in the rain an hour. The