Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-07-02
Military Correspondence.
FROM THE 9th CAVALRY.
Mr.. JACKSON. VA. June Is

FROM THE 9TH CAVALRY.
Nj. JACKSON. Va, June Is.
EDS. HERALD:-With deep regret we
have to record an unfortunate incident
for the 9th, which occurred on Monday
last, 10th, hat makes us feel sad and
lonely, for some of our best boys are gone.
1t has been necessary some of the time to
go out q little distance from camp with
teams to draw in forage, and for this pur-
pose three four-horse teams, with l6 men.
were sent put on Monday morning. We
knew that the bushwhacking rebels were
around not very far from us, but we did
not think the boys would venture far
enough to fall into their hands. But as
i'll fate would have it, the hounds were
catchiEg for just such 4 chance, and we
were thrown into no little excitement
when early p. m. a messenger scout
brought US the sad news that the whole
party had been cut off and taken prison.
ers by the rebels. The bugle quickly
sounded the alarm. and in a few minutes
a company of some sixty men were in
their saddles ready to march under the
commands of Capts. Barrett, Barber and
Bowe, TO make u desperate attempt to
rescue them from so hated a fate. On
more than q double quick they few over
fields and woods to the rescue, but so
much time had passed we had but little
faith in their worthy mission. On they
went, however, guided by the ever faith
full scout, to the point where the boys and
teams were taken, near which u excel
lent Serg't Major Austin, with his adj
vanced guard, discovered a company Of
the rebel scamps drawn up in the edge of
the woods, evidently waiting for more
game. The Major gave the order to his
guard to halt there while he reported to
the company, and quickly moved off for
that purpose, when the guard either mis-
understood or from some cause, also rush
ed back to the main body. throwing them
into some confusion. But n rally was
made as quick rs possible, and the order
forward" given. The chance, however,
to move forward, on a charge was very
bad, it being UP hill in a very narrow and
stony lane. But forward" was the word,
and Major Austin and all the Captains,
and most of the men, rushed forward
The rebels, however, were on hand to
meet them, coming down out of the
woods at full speed. The onset was VIC
lent, and some on both sides rather hest
tated but TIE holder and Drawer leaders
pressed on. The rebels came up and dis
charged their pistols and turned TO re-
treat, except their Captain, who under
took to play a ruse upon our men, by
rushing right down through our ranks,
crying, fall back retreat they are too
much for us" But a couple of bullets
soon stopped his attempt to confuse our
ranks, and the struggle went on f~iercely
among those who could get a chance in.
Many shots were rapidly fred, and Geo.
Booth, of Capt. BARRIERS company, had re-
ceived a shot in the breast, from which
he o died, and two rebels had fallen,
when sabres were drawn, and for q few
minutes the contest was fierce.
The man that killed Booth had shot
three times at Captain Barber with a revolt
yer, without effect, when the Captain turn
ed and gave him n blow which nearly
brought him down; when, not liking the
play, he escaped by fight. The Captain
also knocked another rebel frsm his sad
die. and took him prisoner. In the mean
time Captain Barrett had his horse shot
from under him but he soon was noun
ted again and at them with all his power; ;
and Major Austin was dealing tremen-
dous blows, with one of which he brought
q stalwart fellow from his saddle and took
him prisoner. THE Major thought his
sabre too dull for such work, and the
next morning he ground it up.) Capt.
Bowe was also in the hottest of the frav,
urging his men to the work. The gueril-
Es were pursued some distance, but they
ran too well to be caught by tired horses.
In summing up the days doings, we
found the Sth had lost l killed and II
prisoners, with 10 horses and 2 Goverment
wagons, and had killed 2 rebels. wound
ing some, and took 5 prisoners with 4
horses. All things considered, it was a
very bad day for us, and we felt it deeply.
We did not like to lose our boys in that
manner.
The man killed was George Booth, of
Capt. BARRIERS Co. Ill" Those taken
prisoners are as follows:
co. A, (CAPT. BINGHAM.)
Privates-Stephen c. Thorpe, Henry
Treat, Nathan Bassett. Edwin Bailey,
Robert White, Edward French.
CO. D, (cAPT. BARRETT).
Quartermaster Sergeant, Theodore VOL
cot. Priyates, H. j. Hickox, Geo. King,
Myron Patterson. Charles Hamlin, Al
fred II. Pierce, Caleb Riseing.
co.'H. 1cAPT. ~BARBER.)
Quartermaster Sergeant, Isaac Cramp-
ton.
A good many prisoners get away from
the rebels here, and we really hope the
boys will succeed in doing so. If not, we
hope their friends at home will be as re-
conciled as possible. 1t is one of the
fates of war. 1t may be as well thus as
to be killed. E. A. B.
Co. A, 9th o. V. C.
P. S.-Will the W. R. Chronicle and
Ashtabula Sentinel please copy?