Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-07-17
ARMY Correspondence.
Correspondence Of The Gsllipolis Journal
HrADeuAHrEEs, 18th Reg. o. vi
Camp Near Jasper, Tenn.

Correspondence Of the Gellipolis Journal
HrADeuAKrzEs. 18th Reg. o. VI
Camp Near Jasper, Tenn.
MosDxr, June 50th, 1859.
Ma. HARPER:-From the very days
Of my beyhood, the name Of your
weekly paper has been among our
household words. snd I have delighted
in the columns Of your weekly, since
nv promotions Of the FIRST rudiments Of
reading, but am now In 4 position, sothat
l cannot obtain it weekly, though when
do receive It, il does my heart good
to ponder over its contents, which en-
able me to hear from my old friends Of
Gallia in general, though am quite .
distance from them, accompanied with
number Of others from the same place.
However, we are absent from our
friends in just and holy cause, or at
least deem it as such.
But perhaps some Of our friends in
Gallia, would be equally as glad to hear
from their absent ones, and know Of
no better way 10 inform them Of eur
whereabouts, than througkthe columns
Of your worthy paper.
We are now encamped on the Nortb
side of the Tennessee river, near the
village of Jasper, and some twenty
FIVE or thirty miles west OF Chattanooga,
where the enemy are supposed 10 be en-
camped with a considerable force, num-
bering some ten or fifteen thousand,
which is superior to ours at this point,
but l suppose will not be in a few days.
as we are being reinforced every day
Our force numbers at this post a. pres
ent six Regiments Of Infantry, one bat
terry Of Artillery, and six companies Of
Cayelry. Though the rebels are supe-
rior to US in numbers, they are not on
the field of battle. We whipped them.
effectualIy bat short time since.
On last Wednesday morning our
pickets were attacked ct Jasper, and
driven in with a loss Of three killed
and eight wounded, while their loss in
killed and wounded was twenty-five
This skirmish lasted two hours, when
our little guard Of fifty or sixty men
we're reinforced, then the enemy, num-
bering twelve hundred, ded to the
mountains-we followed for eight or
ten miles only in the tracks Of the en-
emy, and while we were following them,
some Of the rsscsls, who were on the
opposite side of the river from u.s.
opened fire with their artillery on our
rear guard. at the mouth of Battle
creek, aiming / suppose to cut of our
retreat, in case we should attempt the
like. But Col. Sill, who was COM
msnding the post. left four or FIVE COM
panies of Infantry to prevent them from
crossing the Tennessee river, until the
balance Of his forces could return, and
upon our return to Battle creek, they
began to shell US across the river, and
Edgerton's Battery returned the COM
pliment. The fight lasted some two or
three hours. We dismounted two
pieces of their Artillery, and from the
best information, killed fifteen or twenty,
while our loss was one killed and four
wounded. They stayed close to the
river two days, in secure place from
our guns, and firing at US occasionally
with little or no effect. Gen. MitchelPs
whole division is moving forward to
this point, followed by some of Gen.
BuelPs forces, and so soon as they ar
rive here, there will be forward move
ment, determined for Chattanooga,
where l suppose from all reports, hard
battle will ensue. The rebel General
there commanding, sent flag Of truce
into our camp to-day, stating that he
was waiting eagerly for our approach,
and that he intended to 6ght us until
the last day in the evening, before be
would either retreat or surrender to
Gen. Mitchell, and should he be as good
as bis word, hard battle will come off
soon. Our boys are generally in good
health and good spirits.
Yours, L. D. CARTER.