The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1862-04-24

gade, William Miller Owen. Two OF
his guns fell into our hands. Any mau
in our regiment would have given an
arm for his life. Had he been captur-
ed by his old comrades, the "Greys,"
they would have hung him on the
spot.
At IL O'clock victory seemed poised
between the two parties. Time and
time again our lines we're forced back,
but eventually rotook the ground No
one for n moment thought of defect
We knew that our fate was victory or
annihilation. While the firing was
heaviest, General Nelson rode up and
said, "Colonel Anderson, I have confer.
red upon your regiment the honor Of
defending this battery--the best in the
service. II must not be taken" !
could read those same words written on
the face ofevery man in the line.
AT 3 o'clock our regiment was drawn
up for charge. General Nelson rode
mp and said; "Sixth Ohio. [ expect to
hear from you now. Forward -
Along the entire line a fierce cheer
went up. and our compact body dash
ed on. think that then, for the frst
time, felt the wild enthusiasm that
knows no fear and recks not of life or
death. We came to fence, and it was
swept away like chaf before the wind.
Then we gained the open field, on the
other side of which stood the foe. Six
hundred yards would bring us to them.
But pshawl when we had traversed two
thirds of the space they broke and fed,
and our disappointed boys were order
ed back. This ended our share of the
action.
The firing gradually died away all
along the line, and by o'clock had en-.
tirely ceased. Captain TirreIl gave the
foe parting salute, his guns being
served by 9th Ohio mon. Our weary
and hungry men were then marched
into position, and rested on their arms
for the night, anticipating renewal of
the battle on the morrow; but the
morning brought no foe. I for one re =.
GREETED not their disappearance.
= can not now give a list of the kill.
ed and wounded, nor closely estimate
the number lost on either side, Ours is
said to be two thousand killed aHd six
thousand wounded The enemys must
be still heavier.
This has been the most stupendous
battle ever fought upon the continents
and the rebels have evidently struggled
with desperation to whip us, knowing
that if beaten it would he their death
hni IL
nnssas were here. commanded by their
ablest officers. Cen Beauregard com
manded the right wing, opposing ou,
left; Gen. Bragg the centre. and Gen
Albert Sidney Johnston the left apains
our right. The latter was killed, and i,
now buried in our camp. He was sho
between the eyes by a minnie ball.
johnson, the bogus Governor of X an
tucky, was also wounded and captured
, Many other rebel officers Of note arc
, killed or wounded. Gen. Baauregar,
is reported to have lost an arm. On
reconnoitering parties state that tn
! rebels are retreatiug in great disorde
, toward Corinth.
t Yesterday, having few minutes leis
. ure, I traversed portion of the battI
, field, for the purpose of observing tn
= effects of the two days action. TIL
Q sight is appalling Dead are piled o
: every side. | found six. eight, an
even ten men Observation-Disclosures an
: Sccessionists-within a space of tc
Q feet, lying side by side, Just as they ha
S fallen in the struggle. In one place te
= men were stretched side by side con
9 pactly; one man, Federal soldier wit
d his arm thrown lovingly over the neck
o a rebel, as though they had gone to slee
in friendly embrace. Death know
n no distinction. The lovers of the no,
Q rible can bc amply gratifcd hero.
: saw many with the tops of their heac
v blown off by canton balls. One ma
If was torn to pieces by shell that ha
. exploded in his bowels. Some wei
). cut entirely in two, and the parts yarc
IS asunder. In one gorge where our a
v tillcry had raked them, they we
: piled three or four deep, and horrib
/. mangled. The majority of the men al
b. shot in the head and breast, attribut
L BILE to their having stood on undulatin
l. ground, where nothing but the upp
Ie portion of their bodies was exposed :
|. Had the fight been on level plai
"a and the battle been as long and obst
! nate, fifty thousand would not have co
!. cred the loss.
is The woods where the battle ragged pr
" sent fearful sight, and will long he
10 monument Of the terrible struggle,
n Large trees are cut down by cannt
G. balls, and the twigs and underbrush pr
At sent the appearance Of harvest fe
y after reaping, | saw one tree, at lea
le three feet in diameter, with hole in
IS as large as a mans leg, ball from Ca,
y Tirrelrs gun having gone clean tbrou!
re 1t. Some trees are entirely barked
s. the bullets. An officer, who was at I
I'd Donelson, says that tho battle there "
T. but mere skirmish when compared
re this.
r, can not with justice cite individu
IN eases OF daring courage, although maj
ir occurred. That all fought wol is I
y. tested by the result. Gen. Buell. b
II, complimented Gen. Nelson by saw
n, that our Division saved the day. o
40 officers simply did thoir duty. and
A think did it we'll. A man who does INC
N, is no soldier. think that Gen. N
no son s report will do justice to the e
liant men who gil the ranks of our Br
mt ade.
ew Our Brigade Commander, Col. A