The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-05-02

pOslllon IOf our guns. lucy hu'auOeu
with the skirmishers TO the brow OF a hill,
in sight Of the enemy's works; but, night
coming on, and no satisfactory position
being found for the guns, our horses were
taken several miles to .he rear, in order
TO get forage, and we encamped with the
infantry for the night, which was dull and
gloomy. As the snow was falling freely
during the night, the infantry lay down
with their feet TO the FIRE, covered by a
blanket only, we having little the ad-
vantage Of them in having our paulins
(gun covors) 10 use as shelter from the
storm. Infantry piCkets in large numbers
were thrown out for the night.
Next morning March 22d, at an cary
hour. the pickcts getting sight of tho enemy
in their works commenced fro from hill
in front of tho Gap itself, which was briskly
returned. Tho lG,h Ohio were taken, Eve
companies at q time. and deplovcG as tkir.
mishers upon the hill. near three quarters of
a milo from tho euomy's works, and upon
their right. Our section was ordered TO
move down from their position of tho night
before, and take n rav;ne leading to Elrod
Ridge largo hill directly in front of tho
Gap, but noaT eight hundred feet lower than
the position said TO DO occupied by 64-
Founder upon tho eminence, at tho right Of
their works. This position was finally Oh.
tanned by cutting u road through tho forest
and by tho assistance of the infantry. which
was placed as our support. After gainiag
tho summit, QUO piece was soon placed in
position, but could not fire, owing to u snow
squall which prevented taking proper sight !
but we soon had tho pleasure of delivering
our first firo at n stockado upon the enemy's
left, which was speedily returned Ivy thoir
throwing a % pound shot in close prox
unity, but little below us. Our third shell,
Il was afterwards found. struck and burst
upon tho carriage of this gun, disabling il
completely for tho day. About this timo,
our othor piece having gained good posi-
ton about ono quarter of q mile to che right
of tho Grst piece, opened i:s Ere, and tho
work seemed to commence in earnest. Two
other 1t pouudur guns continued their FIRE
upon us, accompanied by a Oh pounder
placed upon tho mountain upon thUir right,
at Intervals of about ono half hour; these
being tho only arms they could roach US
with. The worst Of tho "a. pound shot
and shell from them struck below. but some
went over our heads, and were .ckod up by
tho infantry in our rear, aud below US, Tho
upon iho right, ono bursting in fow fcot
upon tho right, several below. in front, and
more still over us. Oar fro was directed
to their tents, which woro in plain sight,
although partially obscured by the snow,
which toll In small quantities during the
day. We soon had tho satisfaction OF seeing
thom leave said fonts. apparently in great
haste, one of our shell bursting in IN ,ir
midst. The 8 o thrown by our guns have a
peculiar whstIing sound. but it was ecIipsod
by the sound of their O. ID. she'l in passing
! through the air, and, when they burst, thuy
maGo sound resembling thunder.
About the middle of tho afternoon, our
attention was drawn TO the stockade upon
their right by thoir opening fro upon the
skirmishers with small pieces, using CAMS.
tor and spherical case. Our second shot at
this point stopped this, and wa plainly saw
them run from their works. Several shell
were fired at thcir GI poander. but. tho
distance being so great no accuracy of ain,
could 30 Ubtained, our shell as we of er-
wards found, passing over tho mountain
and striking near four mi!os from us. Near
dark, tho 40 Indiana Regiment having
5oen sent to heir loft, to asc, ain their rosi.
tion in that quarter. they opened upon them
with battery OF and l2.pounders. which
was soon siencod by fow wol directed
shells from our guns. About dark wo were
ordered to rotire, having fired near two hun
dred sbol and case shot. and found out
everything we wished to, in regard to the
number 0fguns. and strength OF thoir works.
None of our mon, infantry or artillery, were
II rjd From every account wo can got. we
must have killed nd w-uI ded largo num-
Der Of the Rebels some say sixty. One OF
our shell blew ef portion Of the roof OF
! thoir magazine.
Wu returued TO tho foot of tho hill, and
passed another night in tho woods, similar
to the preceding one. Next morning they
opened fire upon tho position wo occupod
during tho day before, hat seemed to find
that tho III rd had ilown," utter firing tow
shots. We returned to tho Ford about the
middle of tho afternoon, safe aud souud
although man aud boast were somewh ha
woaried.
Our camp life is varied occasionally b,
tho pickets coming in with tho report o
the enemy in torou bung within a fuw mioi
of us, and advancing; but, so far, wo have
not had the pleasure of welcoming them a:
warmly as all are eager to do. The 1871
Ohio Regiment, under the direction of theil
Col, DoCouroIy, have built "a strong earth
overlooking the Ford, giving US as good Il
position for our six guns, in case of al
! attack, as we could wish.
The health of our men Is much better
now that we arc having weather a littl'
mora pleasant. Three of those left a
Somerset have died, aud one with US. tn,
rest. with the exception of i've, have rrjoineC
tho Battery. We have now only two very
sick, and they are getting better
A very tow words in respect to the poo
Pile and country around us, aud will close
this rather long letter. Tho country here
is hut succession Of hills upon hills. as fa
as the eye eau reach, one in front of ou
camps reaching the height oe 800 fee
above the river below. Tho valleys DO
tween tho hills, along tho courses of tn,
creeks aud river, are only places which arr
cultivated and these not to very great ex
tent, as lhoro is generally no market to
their produce. But few of tho famile
horo have slaves, generally being of tn,
more intelligent aud wealthy class. Hoping
that these limos will! prove acceptable {,
your numerous readers, will close,
Yours, &c,
II. B. YORK. Lieut..
9th Batory Art, o. V.
FROM FORT HAMILTON.