The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-05-02
Our Military Correspondence.
FRnM wErMnRR's nATTERY.
CAMP CUMBERLAND FoRD, 1
Ky, April 8lh, 1909. {

EDITOR DEMOCRAT = nl0klng lDAt
might write something Of interest TO the
numerous friends of the Battery residing
10 "Old Geauga," will attempt 10 ad.
dress few lines to you, which, il you see
ct, you may publish for the especial ben
eft Of such as wish to while away few
moments in their perusal.
The action at Mill Springs,in which the
Battery took conspicuous part, is SO
well known, and its importance TO the
country at large so well understood, that
Tor me to speak OF /. At this time, would
be but re petition Of former publications.
Suffice il TO say, that we were presented
with two Of the captured guns-bronze
s pounders-which, IN addition 20 those
brought from Ohio, increased ours to a
six gun Battery, consisting Of two Parrot
10. O.pounder guns, two l9-pounder how.
ilsers. and two 6 Founders, smooth bore.
We received also, at Somerset, horses and
harness in full for the completion Of the
new section.
Being connected with the 12lh Brigade,
Gen. Carter, which was ordered to Cum.
berand Ford, we, Of course, took up our
line Of march, via London, to the Ford.
In our march to London, we passed
through as wild a section as is to be found
in any part Of The State, believe. The
third day from Somerset we were lorried
over the Rock Castle hiver. In passing
down the bill to the river, some as beau
tiful scenery was passed, and specially
noted by us, as often meets the eye OF the
traveller. evergreens in abundance being
found in all directions. consisting OF the
pine, holly, laurel, ivy, &c. &c. At one
place, the overhanging rocks seemed 10
threaten instant destruction TO our men
and horses. We were near day and a
half in crossing the river, which was
finally accomplished without difticully.-
The hill we had TO ascend was very steep
and rocky so much so that we had to
double our teams, and then it required
all the assistance we could obtain from
the infantry, which was eheerfully given
us by Col. De Courcey, oI the l6lh Ohio,
his men laying hold Of the wheels as il
they were in earnest. The ascent of the
hill finally accomplished. we found The
road 10 London 10 be in better condition
than those passed over before, although
it ran through country which could be
called by no other torn than wilderness.
Houses were at long distance from each
other, and looked as though they were
built by the great grandfather Of The
present generation. The inhabitants
themselves were the most lis,ess, ignorant
and degraded looking and acting people
ever saw. Ak one how far to a place,
he will tell you it is Fright smart
chance Of piece"
After remaining at London for five
days, to rest the men and horses, we
stared for the Ford, Feb. 10Th, leaving
one section (the pounders) behind. as
reserve in case the enemy should at.
tempt to cut off our supplies. We
roa he'd the Ford Feb. l5h, and encamped
upon the ground, covered with snow,
which. after our tents were pitcLed, was
removed, and the ground covered with
cedar boughs, which made us quite com.
Portable for a nights rest. Next day the
snow all passed of. but the mud was in
most uncomfortable abundance. In fact, q,
we have hardly seen anything but mud
and rain during the past winter, in Ken.
lucky.
Dur men were very much exposed at
Mil Springs, and, as consequence, a
good many were taken sick, principally
with dlarrhea, which, in some cases, ter
minated in fever. Our whole Com pan v
consisted Of eighty-nine privates and non
commissioned cfhcers, and five commits.
ioned officers, at Somerset, but, in leaving
tha! place. we left in the hospital seven
men. IT Rock Castle River, we were
obliged 10 leave two more at London we
left sixteen more; so that on our arrival al
this place, we were rather short of help to
take care OF our horses and man our four
guns. After getting here, some Of the
men were taken with the mumps and
measles, so that the Battery was in rather
poor condition for service. After get.
ting so near the enemy, our Captain was
the last man that would report unfit for
duty. Officers and all were in readiness
to act in any place or at any time.
We were in expectation Of an immedi.
ate advance upon the enemy at the Gap.
said TO have force of fifteen hundred
men and eleven guns, but. owing to some
OF the Regiments rot having suflicen;
quantity of ammunition, we were delayed
for some days, in waiting for the teams o
the Brigade to arrive with it. The roads
were so bad, and, owing to heavy rains,
which made the streams impossible, the
teams were delayed for weeks, by which
time we learned the enemy had received
reiniorcements. All lhings beingin read
, mess, orders were issued March Cd, 10
, be prepared with rations, &c., TO NOV,
forward the next morning at 8. A. M. A
very heavy rain fell during the night o
the Cd, so that by morning the river ano
, creeks over which we must pass, wer,
. rising rapidly the order was counter
( msnded, and we all returned 10 oul
quarters somewhat disappointed.
Accommodating parties were sent out a
, two different times: first by the cavalry
, who dove in the pckets OF the enemy
3 killing some, and taking some horses
} sabres. &c; next by cavalry and infantry
0 combined. who passed so near that lhel
Q plainly heard them say, Come on. Got
{ d-n you !" They tried to draw ou
their fre,in order to get the range of thei
/ guns. but for some reason they would no