Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-09-20

The firing Of musketry had now ceased,
but the batteries continued shelling the
woods, making them very uncomfortable
for any human being. Judge with what
surprise, then, the occupants of BCl.var
Hights saw a long column of infantry
marching from Maryland Nights to the
Ferry. Canitbe thatthey are evacuating z
was the query on every ones lips.
Looking over to the camps, the artiller-
lists were observed at their posts, and each
tried to persuade the other that it was only
some ruse. But alas it was too true.
Col. Ford had ordered the evacuation, for
what reason the men could not learn.
Captain McGrath, as true and brave SOL
dier as ever walked, upon receiving the or
der to spike his guns, was so astounded
that he refused to obey it, and not until he
saw the infantry deserting him, could he
be induced to perform the disgraceful task.
He sat upon his guns-his baby-wakers, as
he called the Dahlgrens-snd Wept like a
child, telling Col Ford that "no matter by
whose order it was done, it was a piece Of
t. slehery.'
The abandonment of the key to the
whole position certainly requires the most
careful investigation at the hand Of the
proper authorities. Colonel Ford had pos
tive and written orders to hold the place
to the last extremity. Five thousand
troops and all our batteries were to aid
him. Colonel F. had remarked that " he had
looked the hill all over, and made up his
mind to stay there" that "nOt a man
should come down until they had been
whipped from it." Subsequent action GER
tainly gave the lie to his words. Colonel
Miles, who was at the extreme left, upon
learning that the troops were leaving, rode
hastily toward the spot but met the men
on their way up the hill, and, learning that
the guns were spiked, did not order them
back as he intended doing. As there was
much talk as to whom belonged the respOn
sibility of the evacuation Of this battery
and position, your correspondent asked
Colonel Miles if it was done by his order.
% No, Sir, but in direct opposition to them, u
was the unequivocal reply.
The evacuation received the merited
condemnation Of officers and men. Every
one saw that the way for the rebels was
now open; the door locked, it is true, but
the key hung outside. Hardly had the hill
been deserted ere the rebels appeared on
LoudOn Heights in considerable force, and
commenced signalling. Captain Graham
opened his batteries upon them and made
three excellent line shots, the third scat
tering the party, and driving the signal
flag into the woods. Captain Won Sche-
lines battery also commenced firing upon
them and did execution. No notice was
taken by the rebels of our firing; that they
we're busily at work getting battery into
position was apparent. To whom they
were signalling could not be seen. Our
batteries fired upon them occasionally du-
ring the afternoon, and must have done
some serious damage, as the shells fell
right in their midst.
On Sunday at an early hour Captain
Graham's battery again opened upon the
rebels on LOudCn Hights, and was soon
joined by the batteries, but drew no res
ponse from the enemy. During the morn
ing Colonel D Utassey sent force to Ma
ryland Nights to bring away several guns
and a quantity of ammunition left by our
forces upon evacuating that point, which
was entirely successful in its mission.
About q o'clock the rebels opened fire
from battery near the point from which
they had been signalling, and their shells
fell upon the plain with sufficient rapidity
to cause a stampede of soldiers and towns
people, who were enjoying a stroll. The
boys laughed as the shells fell far short of
the nights, but laughed no more, as she'll
after shell came nearer and nearer, and
finally, went clear over the works and down
the slope. Then came the report Of a gun
from Maryland Hights, not our own posi-
tion, but from the very top, and shell
burst without even crossing the Potomac
A cloud of dust at the left betokened the
approach Of the rebels, and the troops
were called into position. Nothing but
the dust away beyond the woods could be
seen. Presently a movement was discov-
cred at the edge of the woods, and soon q
battery commenced on the left, shelling
the woods between. Our batteries were
now fully engaged, and all attention was
turned to watch the approach of infantry.
Skirmishers, the New York 39th, were
thrown out and other troops advanced
down the hill under cover of the brush, To
meet them. A dark mass, almost shielded
from view by the woods, seemed moving
toward our right and soon appeared in
full view as they crossed distant field and
took position in the woods. A battery
now opened in front of us and shot and
shell came over the ridge inside Of our
works 1t was quite evident that they
were only trying their raDge and it wal
also apparent that they were quite salts
fed with it.
Our batteries now turned their attention
to the new batteries of the rebels, and
Captain Won Schleim succeeded in placing
a few shells in the right spot. A shot from
the rebels exploded one of Captain VOr
/ Schleim's caissons wOunding four men
/ A new battery had opened at LoudoI
Nights, making four guns in all in that po
sitiOn. Captain McGrath had silenced thu
| first for awhile, but it resumed operations
after q change opposition.
As day closed the looked-for attack wal
anxiOusly awaited; but it was not the reb
el policy to hurry matters. They mad,
one or two feints on the right to feel GU
/ position, and some skirmishing took plac
with the 99th New York After dark, ant
as matters seemed settling down, a smar
attack was made upon our left flank b.
] troops VINO hau almost gOIteu IN Ou
rear, but who were repulsed by the 32t
Ohio with serious loss both to them AM
the rebels.
The Sd Maryland, the S7th Ohio, and tn
18th New-York, were ordered up to tn
support of the left, but no further fghtin
took place. Our men slept upon their arm
in the trenches.
Early on Monday morning, the skill 0
the rebel Generals was displayed. Durin
the night they had posted two batteries up
on the lower plateaus Of London Heights
in the positions previously examined, an
her battery in front, and still another t
our right upon knoll on the opposite sid
of the Potomac, thus enflsding the Who'll
| of o11r infrenchmpnfs