Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-10-16
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
Letter from Captain TancyhiII.
PORTSMOUTH, Scioto Co, o.
October 7th. 1862 (

PORTSMOUTH, Scioto Co, o.
October 7th. 1862
WM. S. TANEvniLI., Dear Father:-We arc once
more in the land of "Mik and Honey" But
alas! we soou leave it for the Kanawha Valley
Another campaign among the mountains. On the
9th of August last, we had an engagement with
the enemy at Tazewell, Tennessee, Captain Ed
gar and had the outside picket post, at 8 A. M.
two of my men opened on the cncmy's advance
guard, took the first section down to the place
and fired volcy into tie woods, which soon stop.
cd the irregular firing of the enemy. q found
out afterward that fired into Reg't. of Infan
try who were getting water in ravenc below us,
killed four and wounded three. Within half an
hour from the time opened on the advance, the
enemy had driven forces Off of the hill in our
real. wanted Edgar to fall back but he said he
would not do it until he received orders to do So
We soon had enough to do to protect ourselves
A Regiment came marching toward us in column
ofcompany. had my company dcploye1 as skir
mishers with Edgar for support, after 2 hours
fighting the enemy Withdrew. We had the woods
for our cover which served us. We had not a
man touched. Shortly after the Sergeant Major of
the 10th came to us and ordered us in on double
quick. (lle was the fourth messenger which was
sent to order us in.) Just we got to the top of
the hill Regt. of Infantry up and ordered us
to halt and fired at the same moment. Captain
Edgar fell shot through the brain, the Sergt. Maj
or fell badly wounded in three different places,
Corporal Winery fell slightly wounded near the
spine by buck shot. Seven more of my men
fell to get out of the fire which saved their lives
q dropped as soon MS saw that they were going
to fire and waited until the voley passed over,
which was done in half second) ordered
my men to fire and retreat on double quick. As
soon as reached the cover of the woods, told
them to scatter and get through their lines the
best way they could few of my men and about
thirty of Edgar's remained with me, We re-.
manned in the woods for the cover of the night to
help us out. but were discovered near sundown
We tried to break out near where we supposed
their pckets were but ran into two Regiments
of Rains Brigade, they fired on US, but the woods
protected us again; there surrendered. On
the 18th Of August we were exchanged. | was
treated like gentleman while was prisoner
On the Sth of September we left the Gap for
Manchester KY, on foaging expedition. After
we got there we received orders to remain until
the rest of the Division came up. They left on
the 18th nts on the 2lst we started for the Ohio
River. 1t was the hardst march that has been
performed in this campaign We lived on grated
corn, and half of the time we could not get even
that. The mems Trowsers are all in threads, at
least one half of them came out barefooted some
even started so and kept ur all the way. few
days before we reached the River had the ad.
vance when discovered about 500 of the rebel
cavalry coming towards us fast their horses
could carry them, ordered the rest of the Compa
ny up on double quick, formed line and waited for
them to come on, when they got within 200 yards
of us they commenced filing off IN another road
] ordered them to commence firing, the enemy
scattered in every direction, they rallied when they
got off about 500 yards, but we soon made il too
hot for them, Our Artillery came up by this lime,
they shelled them few minutes, when We start.
ed on our march once more and reached the Ohio
River without any more skrmishng. lost my
trunk and all my clothes at the Gap, saved moth
ing but my Company Books need some money,
but we expect to be paid off soon. Give my love
to Mother and Ella.
Your effectonate Son,
R, w. TANEYHILL.