The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-07-09
army Correspondence.
For the " Spirit. :"
TVI OiI0 DPIIIV'
FRONT ROYAL, June 18th, 1862.


have had before the gentle readers of the
, ''Spirit' an account of the engagement
at Port Republic on June Sth and 9th
But know from what l have read from
the Baltimore Press, nothing like true
account has been given There are 9th
ers in the division closely connected with
the columns of the esprit" who would
have spared no pains in detailing the ac-
counts of this desperate engagement, but
unfortunately their Regiment was not en-
gagged But to be brief on the morning
/ of the 9Th, section of Robison's battery
J supported by about 125 of the. 1st Va
!. Cavalry went on forced march of miles
to intercept Jacksons retreat through
Millers bridge, they crossed stream by
fording, passed through town and over the
bridge; Col. Carol commanding the 4th
brigade leading in person. Nosooner was
they across the bridge than two Regiments
of Infantry closed in their rear while IA
guns were opened on them from the hill
above. Tney Immediately began to retire.
Capt. Robson with his canister opening
the ranks of the enemy in his rear allow
ing him to pass over the bridge with one
piece, he being compelled to loan one to
the Rebels for a time, seven of his men
was killed. wounded and taken, among
them, one Sergeant killed and one Lieu
tenant, and two Sergeants wounded In
bringing the other piece away by turning
too quick broke the pole short off, spiked
and left it, and thus ended the engage
ment for the 9Th. Very few of the cav
alry has yet escaped to tell the story of
their captivity, the 4th brigade appearing
in sight (the 4th is composed by the S4th
10th Pennsylvania, 1st Va. and 9TH Ind
the enemy withrew to their former posish
and Capt Robson brought his gun away.
About P NJ the Bird Brigade 18th,
9TH, 29th and 66th Ohio with guns of
| Robson s Clarkes (Regular) and Hunting
toms batteries: regiments of Infantry be-
| ing so much decimated that our entire
force would not exceed 5000, with 16
pieces, the bridge was set on fire twice, but
Carroll had it put out and dispatched to
Shields that he could hold the bridge
Shields ordered him to hold it against all
events. that he was bringing up the 1st
and 2nd Brigaaes. All afternoon heavy
cannonading could be heard between
Blenker and jackson, Blenker falling on
| to Fremont, the right passed quietly
through of fearful suspense.
i The position we held was an open
ground sloping away to the river on our
right, about three -fourths of mile dis
tant, while on our left and far in front was
/ tiinbered land with thick underground
of pine and cedar, also on the left was a
steep bluff of the mountain several hun
| dred feet in height, most unwelcome po-
sition; during the night large force of
the enemy crossed the bridge, 4 regiments
concealing in the thick underground on
our left, and three more in front of our
fright. At 6 O'Clock A. NJ, the music
struck up lively and the ball opened by
the enemy firing shell into our pickets as
they came in on double quick. Captain
Robson instantly replied with 2 guns fol-
lowed by Clarke with 2 guns, and at the
same time by of the latters guns on the
right in wheatfeld; their cavalry made
roint when Lieut. Davenport's section
of Huntingtons battery was opened and
partially ceased operations on the left,
and his left piece was ordered tc the ex-
treme right followed by 2 more of Hun
tington's guns. At this moment all our
Artillery was engaged against IA pieces of
theirs in better posish, one charge had al
ready been made on the Left but repulsed
with awful slaughter on their side by our
canister. Failing in this one of the larg-
est Regiments [ have seen, clad i'll blue
overcoats bearing over them the 'Stars and
Stipes " rushed from their concealment in
front of our right and made desperate
bayonet charge against the Rebel battery
about 600 yards; but this weak stratgetic
movement was too weak for the perceptive
and gallant Davenport, and he poured in
round after round of canister until this
great Regiment was near annihilated, fail
ing again they once more dashed upon
the left; but was more furiously repulsed
by our canister AT this point the axle
of one of Huntington's guns broke III
firing, and they was ordered to take it to
the rear, and after getting miles away il
went down, they rendering it useless and
left it.. Now they came seven Regiments
strong furious as demons, on our right q
charge of no other than the Louisiana
Tiger Brigade never yet repulsed, the
glorious old 9Th 7th, 29th and 66th Ohio
was brought up on double quick; Dayen
port was out of ammunition, but his gal
: lant braves, bore it from the caissor
800 yards in the rear, and kept them a
bay until his piece was brought in posi-
ton, when with 3 rounds of canister h,
moved them down in acres, and the 5tl
and 9TH went in on a gallant charge ant
drove their entire left for half mile.
passed over acres covered with the deaC
bodies of the Rebels moved down by ou'
canister and musketry; but here we wa
exposed to terrible raking cross fire from
the enemies right, and 4 concealed regi
ments came rushing down from the thicket
and charged with fury upon our guns, W.
only having decimated Regiments t,
support them, and 3 of the guns having
all the horses killed, Clarke's two gun
= had every man killed and wounded, il
I consequence of which the guns could no
be taken from the field Our infantr,
held them in check until our right cam
Aanking to their support, and once NOR
drove them back only to see them COM
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