Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-03-20
A "Reminiscences of Rich Mountain

A "Reminiscences OF Rich AountA1D.
A Washington correspondent Of the
Cincinnati Commercial relates the follow
ing:
AT the armed reconnaissance at Rich Noun
tain Nv. Va y Col. Thomas NJ. Key, Aid.
e-Camp to Major General George b. Nc
Clellan, sttested his loyalty and proved his
courage by conspicuous gallantry. His cool
ness and intrepidity won universal admira-
ton, and his daring conduct elicited the dis
tinct approval Of soldiers, one of whom, .
regular officer, emphatically said, Colonel
Key is the bravest man ever saw" The
accommodating force consisted Of McCook' 8
bully Dutchmen," Loomis' Michigan bat
terry, Barker's Chicago cavalry, and the Sd
and 4th Ohio regiments. The post Of honor,
as ever under Gen. Mcclellan in the West,
was assigned to McCoek's regiment They
were ordered to the reconnaissance under .
sharp fire from artillery and rifemen, the re-
mainder Of the force was held in reserve with
in range of the rebel guns. While the
brave Dutchmen deploycd as tirailleurs on
the glacis, in the forest and in the midst of
the heavy abbatis, driving back the rebel
skirmishers, the reconnaissance officers were
sent forward under the eye Of General Nc
Clellan.
Gen. Rosecrans, distinguished by his uni
form ana splendid horsemanship, dashed
alone up the mountain side on the right Of
the rebels, and there made observations up
on which was projected his scheme to turn
the rebel flank. Col Key, Lieut.. Poe, fnow
Colonel of volunteers, Typographical officer
of the staff, and dare devil scout, one Dix
on, from Pennsylvania, pushed into the
gorge of the enemy's works under warm
fire. As they proceeded the fire grew hot
ter and the rebel balls sped uncomfortably
close to Col. Key. Dixon remarked that
the rebels were aiming at Key, who was uni
formed, and advised taking to cover. At
that instant ball passed between them.
Quoth Dixon, "Colonel, that fellow is shoot.
ing at you," pointing to clump of quivsr-
ing bushes up the mountain side. Where
the d. Is he?" quoth Key: II want . shot
at him, " poisins AoClellsn'e Maynard rife
which he had borrowed for the occasion
Another ball brushed his ear, when Dixor
pulled him behind an embankment on thu
lower side Of the road, where they watched
for chances to shoot.
Meantime, Col Fred. Lander, then a vol
unteer Aidoto Gen. Mcclellan, stalked dowr
the road below them to the very heart OF the
gorge, WucTe no uoHUcTdttly stOppcu III tus
road and made his observations with start
ling sang .troid For some inscrutable rea
son the rebel marksman ceased firing at the
noble target before them, when Lander turn
ed, coolly took off his hat, bowed to the en-
emy who covered the parapet not two hun
dred yards above him, and started back, the
rebels re-opening scattering fire. Colonel
Key, observing Lander, Immediately. left
cover, and moving down the road met him,
with that simplicity Of manner which those
only who know him intimately can appre
ciate, said, Sol. Lander did shoio an,
unusual emotion under fres" the rebe
marksmen at that moment striving to xii
the two heroes. Here was picture worth!
of the days Of romance. The war has fur
nished no more splendid illustration of devo
ton and courage. Itwas witnessed and ap
plauded by hundreds Of both armies. Th'
gallant Lander, himself, recounting tn,
curious colloquy in the gorge, remarked witt
characteristic vehemencs, "Col Key is a
brave man as God ever made"