Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-06-05
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
From Capt. Draho,s Company.


closing that cpistlc, the hope was expressed that
my next might be from farther down in Dixio.--- Ip
Such Is now the case. Although but little far. =
thcr south than where We quartcrcd during the
wintor, we have entered climate that from
present Indications, promises to be somewhat un-
comfortable, in consequence Of considerable
force Of the enemy being on our 'front.' and the
Secession sentiment all around us, which appears
almost universal. The telegraph has probably
informed you ere this Of what has transpircd in
this district but as all such accounts arc, gencr
ally, quite mcagcr and unsatisfactory, purpose
giving short history, and will avoid dctail as
much as possible as observe that your army
correspondence is quite lengthy. and will, there
fore, be as brief as can
It should be understood that the 23d Regiment
10. V. NJ, Leut.C Col. Hayes Commanding has
thus far had the advance tlls season. We left
Raleigh on the 2lth of April, and by the Both had
only reached Flat Top Mountain in Mercer coun-
ty, some 81 Or % miles south. We were here
Joined by the second battalion OF the 2nd Virgin
ia Cavalry and the force together then, consisted
of the Cavalry mentioned one company of the
, lst Va, (Capt Gilmorc) one section of the lst
Ohio Battery, with two howitzers, and the 23d
Regiment The design was to move forward to
Princeton early next morning, (May lst) by
daybrelk we were in motion. After proceeding
four miles, by which time we had descended the
mountain we came up to where Co. G. of our
Regiment had staid the night before. This com.
pany had been sent scouting couple Of days be-
fore, and had returned within this distance Of
camp, but being fatigued staid all night at house
which is situated in a hollow and surrounded by
hills. Just as they were on the point Of starting
in the morning, the enemy, four times their mum
; Der, unexpectedly rose to view on all sides, and,
| confident of the capture of our l!ttlc band, de-
. mandcd surrender, but were answered by a vol
S ley Of musketry from our brave boys, who were
!: determined not to be taken in that way. Taking
refuge in the house, they kept up the contest for
. nearly an hour, when the rebels drew off hastily,
. probably aware of our approach. From all ac
s counts, they suffered terribly. Our loss too,
severe, there being one killed and twenty three
wounded, two of whom have since died. The
brave boys who had fought 50 well felta sense of
:, relief at sight of us, as we filed down the hill,
which they expressed by hearty cheer. The
force stopped only long enough to scour the ada
: cent hills and although the day was anything but
. favorable, and some steep hills to climb, Prince
:. ton was reached before sundown, but not in time
to save it from utter ruin, as the rebels, few OF
: whom could yet he seen "making time'' over the
I hills beyond town, had fred nearly every building
k in town, including expensive courthouse and
all in short time was mass of hopeless ruins
ed What design they had, | cannot suppose, unless
ed to discommode but the people are the suffer
w. ers, not us. Many who we're once in good cir
,s cumstan,cs cs are now hopclcssly ruined by thosC
rs who promised great things which they never full
,w filed such as defending and protecting life AM
1t. property Most beautifully have they cxempli
*, fed an adherence to this rule. Itwould be non
M sense for them to argue "military necessity,
"a for the destruction of Princeton has neither assis
, l ed them nor injured US or our cause. KNOWN
6 they can never regain this country when ono
M wrcscd from them, they are determined to vel
their spite upon the delenceless people, bypillag
Ter and destruction.
S. The troops lay still and rested until May Gtl
when Companys II, and X started early ft
rs Gicstown, distant 2S miles, to capture it, and IL
4 large amount of stores belonging to the cnem
els 1t was bold undertaking, but nevertheless IL
ash place was ta ken and occupied, a large quantity
uit, -four, bacon, whisky and forage fell into o
M hands, and number of horses, and some {,
ing prisoners. No troops were nearer than within
lrS. miles. The remainder of the 23d reached t
u place the next evening. 1t became evident
lbs Lieut. Col. Hayes, that unless we were renforc
So without delay, could not hold the place.
ses ing within 20 miles of the railroad, which col
ms muncatcs with Richmond, they could easily mt
ior ter force to overpower us and as the enti
ts.; population was strongly Seccsh. they would ga
I'M " give information to our strength and prt
led pccts These facts were duly made KNOWN a
IL. although the 30h Regiment and a portion Of
lor battery were within days march, we were
liss to ourselves, and the sequel shows, compel
Il, to relinqush the place, although reluctantly.
cash to the evening of the 9th we still occupied
ling town, but all were apprchensive of an att'
lck- within short time, and this conviction had
Ym. come so impressed on the minds of all that Il
Ez. oxcrtions and vigilance were redoubcd to prev
Will surprise. Everything was kept ready for U.s.
Mr.. Il moments warning. Just at daybreak the pi
orts cts were heard firing and Immediately we W
ap- all called into line, breakfastless, and scare
G. awake as we were. Knowing the fearful G
cash against u.s. it was decided to fall back steadily
DR.. it would be folly to contend without artilI
,ts.; when the rebels had five pieces.
and, 1t was arranged that Co.'S II and b, under c
Hall mand of Capt Drake, should cover the retr
; Mr.. To this end, they went entirely out Of town,
3, 20 wards the enemy, and taking up position
arms, little eminencc, were in full view Of the foe,
!. b. were about half mile off, and did not nun
cts less than $500, with five pieces of artillery
Cul- latter was posted on an eminencc, similar to
cts; one we occupied and in front of them down
we'll, hill was regiment Of infantry in solid colul
Han and still farther forward were skirmishers der
:. f. ed at short intervals On their right and let
; Mr.. nearly half mile their skirmishers eXtende
cts. Their forces thus disposed, they expected to
l9,47 ture us without difficulty. We did not rel
II ,oi long inactive. One of our boys fred the
- 20 gun, when they Immediately replied The
293 tanCc between us being so g eat, small arms
- of little account, and but little firing was
r Al, E,-t pr