The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-11-07


The Fourth Division, known as General
Harbut's. to which We have always been
attached, had severe engagement with
Gems. Price, Van Doren and Villipuge on
The Alb and 5lh of this month, in which the
Fifth Ohio played conspicuous part, AID
in which lost four Of my boys in killed and
wounded, viz: Charles Nierm an, shot in the
arm, since amputated; Garland w. Harris,
shot in the thigh. the bail passing into the
/ hip and lodged, which must result in death;
/ Corporal Thomas NJ. Brooks. killed; John
L. Christman killed. Alter the battle was
over the cavalry was ordered to pursue the
retreating enemy which we did fer three
miles. harrassing them in their rear, our
loss being one man killed. We returned to
the battlefield about dark tired and hungr,
and sank down on the ground to rest
Morning came and. oh God, what sight,
the dead lay thick among US manged in ev-
cry poss be way. This day was occupied
in burying the dead and gathering up the
wounded. On the 7th We steered our course
towards Boliver The place we left,) elated
with our victory and spoiIs. which consisted
Of two batteries of artillery. 500 stand Of
arms, any amount of ammunition, and 400
prisoners. Prices army numbered 10000.
our force 5000 all told. Notwithstanding
this great odds in numbers, he (Price) was
badly whipped. This battle was fought on
the Hatchie River near a small town called
Matamora, from which the battle takes its
name. After arriving at camp and resting
few days, Co. F, 9Th Ohio regiment, was
called on in company with Col. johnson, of
the 9Sth Illinois. with two hundred Of his
men TO return and exchange the prisoners.
In order to accomplish this, as a matter of
course, we had to go into the enemies lines
this. for moment, made my hair stand,
but We were told that Col. johnson, Of the
28ih Illinois, and Capt. Minor, OF the 9TH
Ohio, had suffered the mos. in the battle,
hence we should return the prisoners, as it
is always understood that the most reliable
men conduct such missions. On the morn
ing of the 18th we started towards La
grange with the flag of truce. l must not
forget 10 tell you that among the prisoners
there was Capt. Coleman, member of
Gen Breckenridge's StafF--a very impor-
tant fellow, and very impudent withal. He
rode in front with me and carried the flag,
until relieved by one OF our boys. On lcav-
ing Boliver he was pres nted by i secesh
lady with bouquet OF dahlias. composed
of red and white. Stopping at a house,
the bouquet was divided, and, presenting
me with half of them, cnquired if l didn't
think tier colors were the prettiest in the
world. | replied that they were as far as
they went; but they lacked one moro to
make perfection, and that was the blue
Cider being brought out. Coleman propos
ed toast: Here's for an honorable peace"
we both drank it. when lie desired me to
respond. 1 asked if he wanted my real
sentiments. Signi ying that he did, l gave:
"May that honorable peace be an uncondi-
tional surrender of the SOUTH His face
flushed, and, remarking that was personal,
he drank. Col. johnson wished to 90 up
into town, and asked me to 90 with him;
also. Capt. Coleman wished to go along
We started into town without our flag of
truce; after jogging along to the center of
town, Col. Johnson went back and left me
with Capt. Coleman. The Capt. dismoun-
ted and went into a saloon or store--leit
me setting on my horse in the street. All
at once, l found myself surrounded by at
least City Butternuts genuine guerrllas.-
One OF them laid his arm across my hol
sters, looked up at me and said: How
many troops have vouin Boliver? Sir. said
l, cannot tell you. He again asked--are
you not well fortified at Boliver! Ireplied
that cavalry needed no Notifications. By
this time the old secesh Captain came out;
said he, Captain, you had better go for the
flag. the people here don't understand this,
(you must bear in mind this Lagrange is
secesh hole) Said !. you understand it and
l will hold you responsible. He replied
that he could not control them. told him
that l would stay with him as he was in e y
charge, aud if any man molested me, the
town would be reduced to ashes He said
again that had better go for the Gag, (ev-
identity lie wished TO escapc). gave ten
cent piece to = boy, and told him to run
down to the hill and tell the flag oil truce to
forward at gallop In lew minutes up
came the flag and two of my boys. You
should have seen how they sneaked off [
told the old Captain to mount Immediately,
and | returned to the column. About tits
time, we moved forward through the town
with the column and prisoners. The PEG
pie began to make some demonstrations,
but Col. johnson told them TO stop ii or he !
would blow them 10 hi They dried up
quick. We marched forward to Wolf Riv-
er about two miles in advance of Lagrange
on the Holly Spring road. Here We eE-
camped, Tor we were now within one mile .