Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-05-21
From the 23d Regiment.
PRINCETON VIRGINIA.
May End 1862.

PRINCETON VIRGINIA.
May-2nd 1862.
UeSsrs. EIitors.-Since my last-whiclr
was written at Raleigh-we have made
an advance. a brief detail of which may be
interesting to some of your readers. We.
the 23d Reg't, two sections of the first
Ohio Battery, and 80 of the end Va, CAV
airy, advanced from Raleigh, about the
18th of April. For a few days our adj
vance was slow. Scouting a~ndreeonioter-
ing the road in advance, and the last dav
OF April we had advanced rs far as Flat
terry Mt. p miles from Raleigh, Co. c
had peer out two days end were reported
several miles in the advance. We wero
% miles from Princeton, a big DAYS
march in this mountainous country
Here we were reinforced by 500 more of
the End Va. Cavalry, making our force
all told about 1000 men, and two small
mountain howitzers. May morning was
dark and foggy, it had rained all night
and the roads were very muddy. We
made an carly start, leaving our tents be-
hind, and piling our knapsacks in the
wagons. Five miles farther on we came
up with Co. c, just after they had had A
severe fight with about 500 secesh cavalry
and bush whackers. They were encamp-
ed in a house, and were surrounded and
attacked about daylight. The boys fought
bravely and dauntlessly, although they
were encountering more than threetime
their number. They fought them for
more than two hours from the house and
out buildings; the enemy were in the
woods. At last our brave little band sui
lied forth, charged upon them, and drove
them over the hills more than double
quick. They were just returning from
the pursuit to care for their wounded. as
we came in sight. Our Col. deploved four
companies, and we skirmished through
the woods for about II miles, got sight of
of the r~etreating towards. killed one
and wounded the other, and raturned.-
Co. c, had one man killed and 81 wound
ed, three or four fatally. The enemy's
was not less than 20, and may
have been 80, their dead were scattered
all through the woods, and the groans of.
the wounded were heard on every side.
\ citizen told me that out of a company
Of 60 men who left Princeton the day be-
fore, only Z returned uniniured, the rest
were either killed or wounded in the en-
gagement.
When all had returned we formed col
umn again, and marched forward. the
in the advance. Wehad proceed
ed but a few miles, when we were attack
ed by the secesh Cavalry, who were sta
toned on the hill above us. They fired
volleys into our Cavalry and never
a man. The Cavalry dismount-
ed and advanced up the mountain amid
a shower of bullets. They drove them
their position, killing two, wound
ing several and took one prisoner, again
the regiment advanced meeting with no
opposition for several miles. At Camp
Greek several shots were fired at us, but
no damage was done. Six miles from
Princeton, we came to Blue Stone river
The bridge was washed away, and how
we're we to cross? Our Colonel rode across.
md then turned to us and said, "bovs we
must take Princeton tonight. but. we
must cross this river first; take off your
,reeches and come on" We would have
lone it for no other live man, but we
owe Col. Hayes, and it is a pleasure for US
IL to obey his command. In an incredi-
,ly short time, we were all safely across
he river, and again in column. The Cav
Try were sent around by another route
o cut of their retreat. We marched rap
dly, and had made about half the dis
ance, when we first beheld the burning
Princeton. On we went, hoping at least
o get a shot at the retreating rebels
When we arrived on the hill overlooking
he town, we formed in line of BATTLE,
The howitzers were ordered forward, and
re advanced on the burning town with
hell and bayonet, but no enemy was
here to receive us. We saw a few flying
running for dear life over the
pposite hill.
They had sacrificed their homes, their
and their merchandise, to the con-
inning element, and now they are house
pennyless wanderers, fleeing from
he avenging arm of justice.
Princeton gives evidence of havingbeen
very pretty thriving town, of about l2G0
lhabitants. But broken walls, standing !
limneys, blackened and charred ruins, ;
about all that remains of what yester- 8
ny morning was called Princeton. q
Our reinforcements are coming up and !
C will soon make another advance. We !
lpect the secesh TO make a stand at the f
arrows of New river, Is miles from here, c
here we are told the natural fortifica- q
ons are superior to any that art can pro- q
ice. :
Our Cavalry who went aroundto cut off n
ieir retreat, engaged the 18Th Va, Reg't l
they retreated, killing about 20, and \
ok I prisoners, a number of horses and =
considerable quantity of camp equipage
rs taken. a
Yours. &C., NJ. y. C. n
Death of Franklin K. Hulburd. fl
This gentleman was for some years n !;