Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-09-19

shared was skirmish with some rebel cavalry
on Saturday Both nit. As | was not present
will only attempt TO give a brief sketch of
the action as | heard it from those who were
in the fight. On Saturday morning some ne
grOes came to our lines informing the pickets
that the rebels were coming, and the word
coming TO camp companies and D, and two
of the 18th were ordered out. They quickly /
fell in, and were soon on their way, under COM
mand of Major Fry. Company B took the
right of the road and company ID the left, each |
throwing out 5 skirmishers. When 3 miles |
from the lines they saw the first rebels They
fred on them but the rebels did not want to |
fight just then. On the double quick our
boys gave them chase, but the rebels were
mounted and did not spare horse flesh. At
point further on the skirmishers were called
in. Major Fry sent for reinforcements, ard
as the rebels seemed to have taken the road to
the left our boys resolved to follow Co.
took the left and CO. D the right. They de-
ployed as skirmishers, Lieut.. Hills command
ing one platoon and Lieut.. Humiston the 9TH
er. Where the road took a turn to the right
Co. B lost the road and kept off to the left
In short time they came in sight of house.
The doof yard was filled with cavalry dis
mounted. Our boys quite unceremoniously
sent volley of lead into their midst. Such
jumping and spurriBg of mules ard horses was
never seen before. Those who lived in the
house were surprised to see II or Is men
drive such crowd before them. Pretty good
for one platoon of Co. d. But the other was
not idle, they had plenty to do. At this time
rrer ok fsnfs q nd Z h.,1 nm
but were far to the right TO prevent the reb-
els from outfanking Us. The remainder OF the
regiment were in our rear acting as reserve.
Onward they went until in full sight of 1000
cavalry. when our men halted for the first
time. Charles Wieser and John McCay got
too far ahead and were near paying for their
lemeriiy. McCay was shot through the palm
Of the left hand. He and Charley then fell
back to the company. The rebels kept up
continuous fire, our boys returning the best
they had. Our company now got orders TO
fall back, which they did in the best of order.
but had not gone far when they missed James
Heron. Lieut.. ILLS called for volunteers to
go and get his body. 25 offered themselves.
When they came near where he lay the balls
fell so thick they were ordered back. A sec
were again forced back. Once more men
and Lieut.. Hills made for the body and car
ried it off.
Heron was shot over the right eye, and
must have died instantly. He die the death
OF the brave.
There fell as brave soul by fame inspired,
As ever yet soldiers bosom fred"
With fearless heart and cleaning eye,
His bosom warm did glow;
He died as brave men ought to die,
Ills face toward the foe.
For to defend ou- glorious laws
From which such blessings how,
He di. d q martyr in the cause,
HIS face toward the foe
He was avenged that day, and he will be
avenged in the future. Two of our company
now sleep here. Frank Billngsley and Jas.
Heron quietly sleep low in the grave.
esBut where the cheerful lights of home
In constant lustre burn;
The departed, the departed,
Can never more return.'
Two Of our boys, Ed. Roberts and J. r.
Snodgrass, have been taken prisoners. They
were not with our company, but coming late
had joined Co. K. We lost 20 men in the
| fight, including 4 officers. Capt A. Kaga,
Lieuts. Rinehnrt and Hale, OF Sydney, and
/ Lieut. G. Melick, Of Mt Vernon, were cap
tured. Lieut. HaIe, who is y years of age,
shot rebels before he surrendered. lie is a
/ boy of w Scott's. d. Harris shot 3 rebels
/ exposed to a fire from their sharpshooters.-
j. Frazer got shot in the shoulder, but even
then discharged his gun in the face of an ad-
yancing foe. Our Colonel feels proud of the
regiment, and well he may. Never did a
! handful OF men contend against such unequal
odds with such success. They had regiments
of cavalry One regiment host 1I8 in killed
and wounded. They tore up miles of the
track between here and jackson, so we get
our mail on hand car.
Before closing must make mention Of two
of our boys who displayed the utmost cool
ness and bravery. L. l.angan and L. Roberts
were the last off the field. For good while
they lay on the ground as the only mode ot
escape. Lieuts Hills and HumistoD say there
was not one coward in Co. ID. Two men
| from our company, d. Tnler and D. Thomas
have joined a body Of mule cavalry, so in
number, commanded by Lieut.. Ayers, of Co
| A. In the name OF our company l thank the
ladies for those nice little letters they send US
Out of total Of sc officers aud men, we have
| 50 bachelors. What an ocean of love we
have in our hearts Pleasant dreams ladi
until we meet.
Yours, Respectfully,
LAWRENCE GRENNAN.
P. S.-The boys would like some Gazeftei
and Standards from their friends Shall they
! have them? L. q.