The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-05-07

learned some ten days after l left.
Let Justice be done the noble snd
brave boys Of the 7Tth Ohio.
o'CoNNoR.
ALLEGED cowARDIcE OF OHIO TROOPS.
From Ohio regiments. the 53d. 57th.
list and 77th, have been charged with
cowardice; but with regard TO the second
aud last. the facts prove their fasity.
The SD, 57th and 77th were encamped
in an open field fronting q dense thicket,
and when the attack on Gen. Prentiss
aroused our sleepy GenerAls-I mean
Sherman and Permission General Grant
was not aroused till several hours after.
ward, Sherman and staff rode down the
lines, bu. found all the regiments formed
10 order of battle. although 90 orders to
that effect had been issued, the COM
mander of the division having forgotten
that trifing matter, aud ordered them to
advance through the thicket mile and a
half at all hazards This they were about
| to do, when the whole Rebel left, s 900
srong. appeared 900 yards before them.
The So had but two or three rounds of
cartridges, which they fred. and then
retreated; but the remaining regiments,
commanded by Colonels Mupgen and
Hildebrand, fought till the enemy we're
compelled to give way in front. They,
however. Immediately re appeared to the
left of tho 57th, thereby making single
! .o..:,.on. hoor &b, hrrnt &c th, an.n,,c
whole line. A single ravine interposed
between the two armies. and three times
| the Rebels tried to cross it, but were
driven back; and the 57th could have
held their ground, had Sherman properly
supported them; but be did not, and vheG
| the regiment expended its last cartridge
| II retrested. s ti5
+ Col. Mungen. than whom brAver
man never lived. had been sick for some
days, but be did all in his power dur
log the attack. He was assisted by Lieut.
Col. Rice, who was iG vigorous health
and who constantly encouraged the men,
aud was always at the point where there
was The greatest danger The loss to the
regiment was % killed and Io4 wound.
ei, To show that they did execution, i,
is only necessary to add that 7S dead
Rebels were found on the ground where
the attack was frst made. aud So where
the atlemot was made to flank The
wounded Rebels had beeE carried off the
fed. The 77rh lost severely. and did
terrible execution on the enemy.
The fact is, Capt. Gribbon. of the ST th
returned from picket duty on the after
noon Of Saturday, and announced tha,
the enemy were approach ng in force; but
| Gen Sherman would not listen 30 him;
after which consultation among the
Coloaeis was had. and lh3y RS lived not
t. he surprised, if possible. hence the
fact hat they were formed into line before
tGrD. Sbe fmau was out of his bed Capt.
Gribbon was killed, and he cannot appear
as witness, in an earthly tribunal
against his murderers
The blame falls upon PreDtiss, Sher.
N 4n aud Grant the last. of whom coolly
ate his breakfast at Savannah, at nine o :
| clock, two or three hours after learning
of The hattlei How much Bourbon whis
ky was consumed on the night previons,
we do not know. But Generals make
their own reports, or have them made to
order, aud it is an easy mstter TO charge
the men with cowai dice. TO covsr up their
own negligence and disgrace
Illinois aud Missouri correspondent 3
seized npon these unjust Installations.
aud Published them to the world hoping
to shed glory OF: their .owa States, hl
maligaing Others: but their gallant
troops need no snch dishonest. compari.
sons. The harrow. minded correspond
ents are imbne wish the same spirit as
the Secessionists; they would wipe ou
the Nation, to give prominence 10 their
own States. v
The story Of the disbanding of The Tin
is fabricationI IT occupies it's cid posi-
ton. aud is ready tor .any assie; ,h- on
ly one which has heea di>graccd is the
list, which was sent to Fcrt d D,nelson
and deprived of their colors | know
nothing abont the truth Of the charges
against it, and shall say nothing. s
j. 3. W.