Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-08

loss OF the enemy in this engagement was, per-
haps, heavier than in either of the Others, al
though our own was also very severe.
During the progress of this engagement, Gen
Nelson, who had been absent at Lexington, ar
rived on the field and assumed command He
saw that our men were fighting against fearful
odds, and had no hope of success, but ne at
tempted to rally them, shouting at the top of his
stentorian voice that the rebels were retreating
and telling our thoroughly exhausted troops that
reinforcements were coming 10 their aid. This
was perhaps well enough, but he is also charged
with making use OF the most profane. vulgar and
abusive epthets to officers who had fought gal
lantly all that weary day, and with cutting down
with his sword and shooting two or three men
who attempted to escape Nobody questions the
truth of the former charge. but how much Gre
dence should be given to the latter am unable
to say. All his efforts, however, to save the day
were unavailing. The rebels drove back the sup
ports to our batteries, and finally captured two
or three of our guns which could not be with
drawn, as the horses had been killed.
A retreat was now ordered, and Gen. Nelson,
satisfied that nothing further could be done, left
Gen. Manson in charge of the column, and plac-
ing himself under the guidance of Col Holloway
effected his escape, carrying off bullet in one Of
his thighs.
Still the enemy did not pursue.
THE RETREAT.
Before the last battle was fought our immense
wagon train placed in line on the road to
Lexington. 1t was evident that we could not
maintain our position and must fall back toward
the Kentucky river. Once across that, and all
would be safe.
Several pieces of artillery were moved to the
'front.' and the train was put in motion. 1t pro-
crossed very slowly, frequently coming to a halt,
AID inducing many persons to believe that the re-
suit of the days work had not been so disastrous
after all, and that our troops were still holding
the victorious enemy in check. Many of our men
were coming into town, and moving toward Lex
ington, and many more were pushing out through
the timber on both sides of the turnpike but there
was evidently considerable number Of our men
still in the rear of the town.
WHY THE REBELS DID NOT PURSUE.
As soon as learned that one of our batteries
had been taken at the lost fight, and that the day
was undoubtedly lost. in company with the cor
respondent of the Commercial and gentleman
from COnnerSville, Indiana, / started on the re
treat. Our plan was to leave the highway and
stop ut some country house in the Interior where
we would at least be out of danger.
After progressing a mile or two ard OBJ
serving that there were no indications Oh Il STAN
pede among the wagoners, we concluded TO re-
turn to the main road and take our chances with
the rest.
When almost three miles from town the train
came to halt, and squad of cavalry dashed by
to reconnoiter the road. In a few minutes they
returned flying, announcing that the enemy were
in our advance, and ordering all the cavalry, OF
which there was quite number near US, TO the
front.
The effect of this intelligence can be imagined
The cavalry, instead of obeying the order, dis
mounted and took the fields, example which
was speedily follJwed by the teimsters and every
body else. After scampering across the fields in
the direction of Richmond, the correspondent OF
the Commercial and myself, both pretty thorough
ly exhausted, sought shelter behind clump OF
hay stacks as the safest place we could find. and
there awaited our capture, which we knew must
now come sooner or Later.
The reason why the rebels did not pursue Oul
men after the battles below Richmond was now
apparent. They knew they had in their pow
er, and wishing TO capture the entire army, they
had been playing with all day, in order to give
their cavalry time TO make a circuit of the coun
try and come in on the Lexington road, some dis
lance above town, thereby closing he mouth o.
the bag into which they were slowly but steadily
driving us A few of their small howitzers haC
been removed with their cavalry, and were now
playing upon such of our men still remained
i'll the road. This move mastery one, anC
might have been anticipated, although it coulC
not have been prevented. 1t resulted i'm th,
capture of two or three thousand men, all oal
artillery and the entire wagon train.
Later in the evening body of our men
how many am unable to say-attempted to eff
feet their escape by the main road, and when il
the vicinity of dirt road, which branches OF
from the Lexington pike about iour miles above
town, were ambushed by bodf'of Scots caval
nv. and some fifteen or twenty of them killed
Here Lieut.. Col. Wolf fell. He had been takeI
prisoner, and was about delivering his SWORD
to a rebel officer. when stray bullet strucl
him on the head, and laid him dead at his enc
my'S feet.
Thus were the battles near Richmond tough
and lost. TELMAH.