Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-02-20

The KxpodItlon 70 moreaeId aud ths Fishi
There.
CAHP LAnDuR, NEW O1zEE, Va, /
rebrfarv "a 1892.

Hisnt on learning that the game had flown
before our arrival. We then returned to
this point, arriving here at midnight Of Sat.
urdsy, the men completely exhausted, and
many sick.
Our rest was of short duration. Sunday
evening the officers we're called to the Col
onel's headquarters and informed that Gen.
Dunning wished TO obtain as many volunteers
from the regiment Is possible, promising
some palpabls results. The response was
prompt and warm on the part Of the officers,
and each prOmised from his company as
many men as he thought he could muster.
The men were to rest over night, ignorant Of
the proposed movement and in the morning,
as they would be refreshed by the nights
sleep, be asked to volunteer for the service.
The camp was astir by o'clock, and after
breakfast each company being drawn up BY
itself and called upon by its eemmandant
for volunteers. About 600 responded. The
brigade moved of little before noon. Our
force consisted Of 600 men from the 55sh
Ohio, 400 from the 7sd Ohio, 375 from the
9th and 9Th Virginia Infantry, 200 Virginia
cavalry, and two pieces of cannon, brass
six-pounders, not riAed, with the requisite
number Of men to work the guns. The day
Was fine and the road good, and notwith-
standing the fatigued condition of the men,
we made 10 miles before night reaching the
village Of Burlington, where we encamped.
Il began to be generally understood by this
time that the destination of our force was
Mors6eld, fine town lying on the South
Branch, the county, seat of Hardee county,
This town commands an extensive and fer
tile part of country, from which the rebels
drew most of their supplies for the army in
Winchester.
1t was deemed important to occupy the
town and soize and carry of as much of the
enemies supplies as we could lay our hands
on. To effect this was the main object of the
expedition; and how well we accomplished
It may be learned from what follows. The
next day, Tuesday, we proceeded on our way
and marched, with only stopping enough to
take dinner, a'distance of Is miles, bringing
us within miles of our destination. Here
We halted at about o'clock P. n. for rest
and refreshment A few got some sleep, but
the majority gathered around the fires and
tried to shelter themselves as best they could
from the damp and cold of the snow which
was fast falling. Before one o'clock the Or
der was issued to take up the line of march,
and we were soon again under way. 1t was
understood that we had to cross the river at
the ferry some four miles below the town !;
but our fear was that the rebels, getting in
formation Of our approach, would destroy
{ the boat and prevent our crossing. The
plan of attack required Us TO effect crossing
at this pointh practicable, so as to be on the
same side of the river with the town, and
! be able to invest it on both sides, cutting of
the retreat Of the enemy. On reaching the
ferry we found our fears realized. The boat
was gone We afterwards learned that a
rebel scout had seen us from the hills while
: we were at dinner and had galloped his
horse to Moreheld bringing them information
Of our approach about the middle of the af-
afternoon, when two companies of the rebel
troops were sent down to the ferry to de-
stroy the boat and oppose our crossing.
We soon heard from these companies, and
they, in return, heard from US. Through
some blunder Of the artillery, whe were in
advance of the infantry, the whole column,
with the exception Of the Virginia troops,
> who had proceeded up the river with the
General, halted at the ferry. It seems no
orders had been given to stop, and the Gem
> eral expected we wonld follow on immedi-
stely; instead of which delay of not less
than two hours occurred here. Very care
lessly, and without orders, fires were built by
the men, beginning in the front of the column
and extending to the farthest rear. This
was done under the impression that we had
] to wait till means could be obtained to cross
the river, and the desire of comfort for the
moment oVercame the dictates Of prudence.
Scarcely, however, had the fires got fairly to
burning, when they were ordered to be ex-
tinguished; but they had burned long enough
: to expose our position and the direction of
our line to the enemy opposite, of whose
position and strength We were in profound
ignorance. The Williams improved the sd-
vantage we had given them by opening FIRE
! upon Us frcm the opposite bank. For an in
slant the cavalry horses and the men Of the
7Sd were thrown into confusion, but soon
Fallying, the line of battle was quietly formed,
and We prepared for the conflict which all
thought impending. Skirmishers were sent
out to the right and left to scour the fields,
some descending quite to the bank of the
river. EJ
The FIRE opened by the enemy and repeated
by them at intervals, was soon returned by
our skirmishers, who directed their pieces by
the flashes Of the enemy's guns. None of
our men were hurt, one only being hit, bull
let grazing his head, but iRAicting no wound.
We learned the next day that our shots killed
one and mortally wounded another of the
ambuscadsd foe
At length orders came back from the Gem
eral, who had learned Of our halt, to move
on, following him up the river to another
crossing directly opposite the town. But for
this delay we should have reached More6eld
long before daybreak, and avoided the ex-
element and worry Of our skirmish at the
ferry. But it was probably better as it was,
asWe needed daylight todo our work by. We
| approached the village Just as dsy was dawn
ing. fhs Esa1 were halted around a curve
In the road and oehlnd hill, and allowed
time for rest and Fefreshme1t such as thew
could get from their now scantily supplied
hsYersacks It was well they got bite here
Is it was the last chance they had before eve
ming. We were now ready for action. It
was clear the enemy intended opposing our
crossing. They supposed they could keep Us
back By few Vollies Of their musketry-
They thought it impossible for any but cav
airy 70 cross, and were sure OF an easy victo-
~. The village lies close on the bank of the
river, which here parts into three main chan
neis, with as many more smaller ones, and is
approached across level bottom land of per-
haps 4 quarter Of q mile in extent. A neat
; log school house just around the curve ia the
road and behind the hill was selected for the
hospital, and wood cut and fire built in it.
Our line being formed, We moved down the