Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-07-17
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
From the 10th Regiment.


SEVENTH DIVISION ARMY or THE Onr', ! |
CUMBERLAND Gar, KY, June 2ith, 1869. ! |
EpIrors OF THE FARMER Long ere this the
telegraph has made known to you TIE events
which have been transpiring in this Division
within the last two weeks. But thinking that per-
haps some Of your readers would desire II more
detailed account Of our movements than is con
tanned in mere tecgraphic reports, will endcavor
to supply that want by a communication to your
paper
On Saturday the 7th inst, tho 3rgadcs OF De-
Courcy and Beard started from Cumberland Ford,
designing to cross the Cumberland Mountain at
what is called Wilson's Gap, a point about 90
miles southwest of this. The artillery proceeded
us one day. but Gen. Carter's Brigade was de-
taincd Il few days orwant of transportation. AT
ter march of three days We arrived within five
miles Of the mountains, where there were two
companies detailed from each regiment in De-
Courcy' Brigade to take possession of the passes
over the mountains, through which we intended
to pass. The expedition was put under command
OF Lieut. Col. Pardee Of the 42d and Major
Kcshncr of the 10th Ohio. We arrived at the
| top of the mountain about 10 O'Clock at night,
and having taken possession of its passes and
established our picked posts, we wrapped ourselrs
in our blankets and tumbcd down fora nap. The
mountain was unoccupied by rebel troops. The
night was beautifully lit up by the moon shining
through an uncloud, d sky. Our success was all
that we could have desired, and more than we
anticipated; aud all that remained for us to do
was to quietly await the approach Of morning, to
see what daylight would reveal. Having awoke
quite early in the morning, | walked out to one
of our picket posts, which was placed down on
the mountain commanding the road as it turned
its course into the Gap, and was Just in time to
witness the capture of three horses, and the
skcduddle of their rebel riders. They were Sc.
scsh Cavalrymcn, who had unconsciously ap-
preached our pckets; they were haultcd by our
men, and not displaying disposition to obey,
but Immediately dismountEg and were making
good their escape when they were fired on without
further injury to them than the woundng of one
Of them in the hand, and the loss of their arms
and horses Thinking that we were simply Il
band of "busb -whackers,'' they again returned
"opuI HOOu VI thS stiHc III lOICc VI dbpul
thirty five, dismounted cavalry, armed with double
barrel shot gu S. They were permitted to ap-
proach very close, when they were fired on by our
men, wounding several, some of them morally,
they fled without firing gun, making good their
escape through the thick underwood, with which
the mountain side was covered, bearing the start
ling intelligence to their friends in the valley, that
..Is 1, Il.
mountain was full of Yankees" After which
they paid us due respect by keeping respectful
distance from u.s. We remained on the mountain
out two days and nights, during which time, we
had most ma agufccnt view of Powcl's Valley
and could see the rebel cavalry scouting about
exhibiting great uneasincsS at our presence, and
apparently surprised at our sudden ngrcss into
their midst. By this time our forces, having
cleared the road of the blockade which obsructed
it for some miles, arrived at the top Of the noun
tain. and we all marched into Il c valley, where
we encampcd for some time awaiting the arrival
of Gen. Spearc's Brigade, which had gone via
Big Creek Gap to drive the rebels from that point
which he accomplished, they rctreated at his aI.
proach, leaving some prisoners and property il
his hands. In the mean time we received al
= order from Gen. Buel to return to Kentucky a.
the expedition Of Gen. Mitchell against Chata
y nooga, which was made in concert with ours, wa.
= not successful. Never an order received viii
" more regret, or executcd with greater reluctance
= This, however, was countermanded before man,
" of our forces had passed the mountain, aud w
were soon again all encamped at the foot of tht
- Cumberland, on the Tennessee side, to the grca
y joy of our Union friends in East Tennessee
II While remaining here We were subject to man,
} false alarms; occasioncd either by the firing 0
pckets or by false rumors that oul baggage train
were cut off by the rebels, etc; and, indeed, s.
y numerous were these things that to "lall in" one
:, Or twice day seemed to be ga matter of course,
. and was tha occasion of many herd sayings whcr
"the boys" founl out that they "didn't have
le fight"
At O'Clock ON the morning Of the 18th "
- again took up our line of march to attack bod
>, OF the enemy who were reported to be fortifyin
position within eight miles of our camp. Gcl
Carter was ordered to gain their rear, by marcl
ing in round about way, while tie main bod
" advanced by the direct road. We had not pr
:" ceeded very far when we learned that they hU
= rctreoted the evening before, and again we we,
~ cheated out of what we considered our ca,
g prey. We also received information that Gun
W berond Gap had been evacuated, and havir
nc rested few hours we again took up our line
at march for that place, where we arrived at SUI
al down, having marched about twenty miles til
e. day. The honor of first planting the stars al
rs stripes on the rebel Notifications was rescrv,
he for the 18th Ohio, Though wearied with o
av long march, we marched gladly and proudly u
iis our banners streaming in the breeze, our mus
to playing with soul stirring energy our nation
m "Yankee Doodle" One battery of artillery W
on placed on the Gap, when we saluted by "pr