Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-08-27
From the 7th Regiment!
CCLPrPPEa c. H. Va.


-Isssss Editors: Gen. Pope has initiated
his active war policy in good earnest, and
Jackson has learned that 10 eat him is a
task for which he IS not yet prepared.
But the lesson was taught with n terrible
cost 10 US.
On the Sth the enemy under jackson,
Ewell and a. P. Hill, crossed the Rapidan
river, and after skirmish with Bavard's
| .avalry, succeeded ia posting their force
On Cedar Run Mountain and other eleya-
tions of the Thorough-fare range. some
fifty thousand strong. Early in the NOR
ming Of the 9th, Banks corps was ordered
70 hold them IN check. Auger's iour)
division had the advance, and upon arri-
wing ~ the scene Of action, We vera as
signed our positions in brigades, in sup
port Of batteries. Gen. Geary's brigade,
Except The 18th Pa, which had been sent
to guard the signal corps was placed in
support of Best's regular and Snaps vol
unteer batteries. We were formed in two
lines. the 7th on the right, and Goth on
left Of the first, the 29th as the right. and
the 5th the left Of the second.
The forenoon was passed in manouvers
by the enemy, feeling our position. which
was an elevated spot about a mile and a
half from the mountain, but their force
was assiduously concealed, save a small
skirmishing force. Some two or three
miles in the advance, dense clouds OF dust
indicated that large force wRs rapidly
getting into position, while an occasional
shot reminded US that reconnoisances
were going on. Every thing indicated a
powerful struggle approaching. TaE
AT o o'clock, the infantry droye in our
pickets, and battery mile and half
distant opened upon US which was imme-
diately replied TO, by the two batteries
abors named The engagement soon be-
came general, and as battery after battery
was opened from the shade points of the
mountains and adjacent slopes, thus form
ing a crescent OF artillery, three miles in
extent, with the replies of our guns, all
within compass only one third as great,
the roar Was terrific. The cir was liter
ally filed with bursting shells, and scream
ing shot, which, with the heavy roar, re-
minded US of an awful tempest where the
elements we're turned loose" Nor was
all this for nothing The ranges were re-
markably good, the shells bursting with
terrible effect.
AS before remarked, the seventh was
70 the rear of Best's battery, on the right
Of tbs brigade. As the range became
more perfect, we were moved nearer the
battery, under cover of q considerable rise.
Here we lost our first man, VIM II. Nc
Clurg OF Co. Il, by 3 fragment of shell.
About o'clock, the first line was ad-
vanced over the brow CT the hill, prece-
ded by the line of skirmishers OF the 28th
y. Y. We halted in sort Of gully
where we were partially secure, and the
firing OF cannon was redoubled. Here,
our batteries and ourselves were suffering
from direct, corps, and flank fires. At s.
o'clock, their center began to wayer. and
Gen. Banks ordered an advance. which
was led by the 10th Pa. on the right. and
and the 9TH and Goth Ohio On the left.
We were ordered 10 charge, double
quick, IN the face of three brigades and an
almost unbroken line of artillery. and like
veterans, the heroic Seventh went into
the work, most admirably supported bv
the 66th Scarcely had We gained the foot
of the hill when sheet of fire broke from
long line Of concealed infantry, which
told fearfully upon our ranks. The order
was given 10 halt, and commence firing.
Col. Creighton gave the command FIRE
by companies" but it was executed by
battalion
From this time. the contest was terri.
ble;-fearful 10 record battery Of
heavy guns, hitherto silent, opened upon
US with grape and shell, in q we'll directed
entladlng iire from our left, howitzers in
front poured continual stream of grape
and canister shot into our ranks, and reg
iment after regiment of infantry came up
delivering n CALLING fire of musket and
rife balls. For an hour these two reei-
ments 9th and Goth maintained their
ground against nearly three full brigades.
To render our situation more horrible, the
29th and 5th regiments were ordered 10
the top of the hill, and mistaking US for
rebels, poured their first fire into our
ranks, thus killing some of our men.
Seeing il was madness TO attempt 10 dis
lodge the enemy from the woods, and
their batteries, and that the expected re-
inforc were not in sight, we fell
slowly back, firing as we retreated. con-
testing every foot of the ground.
We thus with the entire force retired
nearly mile from the position at 1 and
formed behind Gen. Ricketts, division,
the enemy slowly advancing. A few more
rounds were fired when night closing in
upon the scene, the musk etry ceased.
The artillery kept up the engagement
until nearly midnight, when it ceased
and all-save the watchful sentry-lay
down 2
The weary to sleep. the wounded to die"
Our loss was heavy, and will probably
not fall far short Of 2000 killed and wound
ed The number killed is remarkably
small, while the most of the wounded
were shot in the lower parts, thus showing
that the rebels, like ourselves. have been !
trained to fire low.
Two rebel batteries on the mountain /
gave us the most annoyance, and repeat |
ed charges were made, without success, TO |
capture them. 1t is said that Bayard' 5 |
cavalry succeeded in capturing two pieces. I
Portions of Augur's and Williams divis-
ion, including Crawford's and Gordon's /
brigades, charged three successive times |
up the slope to the cannon's month. but
were repulsed with great slaughter. by the 4
and the rapid discharges of can
mister and grape.
Charges and good fighting were by no
means wanting on the rebel side; thev |
fought with courage worthy of better I
cause.
Our force engaged including Cavalry
and Artillery, numbered but $500, of
which one third was killed and wounded. !
The Seventh went into the fight with !
q total of 900 We had 40 killed. inclu