Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-08

ry, who promptly gave chase, when Col. Met
calfes men again turned tail, leaving their gal
liant commander to bring up the rear This time,
however, they did not run without firing a gun
but they might as well have done so, for when
they turned in their saddles and empties their
rifles, they only endangered the life of their gal
! liant leader, who was thus between two fires
On his return, Col. Metcafe so Disguised
with his regiment that he refused to have any
thing more to do with such pack of arrant
towards, whereupon Lieut.. Col. Odin followed
his example, leaving the fragment of the COM
maud in charge OF Maj Faulker. a brave and
dashing officer, who would have retrieved the
disgrace into which his men had fallen. if there
had been any fight in them.
The rebel cavalry, accompanied by few six
pound howitzers, each drawn by single mule,
continued to advance toward Rogersville, a little
village about five miles south of Richmond
where they were met by a section of Andrews's
Michigan battery and the brigade of Brig. Gen.
Manson, composed of the 55th, Goth, 69th. and
! list Indiana regiments. a small artillery duel
Immediately ensued, which resulted in the cap
ture of one of the enemy howitzers after which
they withdrew. There is no doubt now that the
enemy balted their hook with this Insignificant
piece of artillery-that they permitted our men
60 capture it in order to encourage them to make
a stand, and, if possible, induce them to pene
trate the country still further from their base In
| this they were partially successful, for although
Gen. Manson did not pursue the retreating foe,
he ordered his brigade to pass the night where
they were, on their arms
THE FIGHT NEAR RoGERsvILLE.
Early the next morning our scouts reported
the enemy advancing in force toward Rogers
vile. Our pekets were soon after driven in
and about half-past o'clock a furious cannon
aiding ensued, which continued for more than an
hour. Like everybody else, could not think it
possible the rebels were moving upon us with
very heavy force; and ! heard the first
discharge of artillery, | FASTENED to the field.
Louder and faster grew the reports as | neared
scene of action. | could clearly distinguish the
sharp, crashing thunder of our Rodman guns
from that produced by the enemy's pieces. and
was well satisfied that artiIlerists were doing
their duty.
The 10th Indiana, from General Crutt's brig
ade, which was composed of the 18th and 10Th
Indiana, 95th Ohio, and 18th Kentucky, had al
ready advanced toward the scene of action, while
the 18th Indiana occupied the extreme right. 1t
was evident that general engagement must
ensue, and the 95th Ohio and 18th Kentucky were
also ordered up, leaving the 18th Indiana as "A
reserve The 95th Ohio, headed by its gallant
leader; Colonel Mcmillan, moved rapidly down
the road 10 the inspirting sound of the drum and
HE, but lew men dropping out of the ranks, not
outstanding the oppressive heat. The 18th Ken
lucky soon after followed, its fine brass band
playing Yankee Doodle and as soon as posi-
} BILE both regiments were in line of battle.
! The 95th Ohio was posted near the centre, and
before the men had time to catch their breaths
alter their fatiguing march, they ordered to
! charge battery, well supported by infantry, on
the enemy's left For raw regiment, who were
smelling gun power for the first time, this was
asking a good deal. but it could not be helped.
; All the regiments were raw; il was deemed nee
essary TO silence the battery: and it was no har
der that one should do it than another The brave
fellows prepared to execute the command, but
when within short distance of the laundering
guns, they were met by murderous cross fire,
which cut them uD badly, and caused considera-
BILE confusion in their ranks. IL was now appa-
rent that the enemy Iearfully outnumbered us, as
usual, and the 95th was ordered to fall back,
: which they did in not very good order, while the
2 Doth Indiana, into whose lines they fell, acted
upon the example set them.
The enemy had now fairly fanked both our
wings, and were pouring into ill fated fellows
shower OF bullets from three sides. In all my
D experience have never heard anything like the
e firing on our left. 1t also heavy on the CEN
tire and right, but the principal fighting seemed to
be on the left, where the 10Th and list Indiana
| and 18th Kentucky were stationed.
The musketry sharp, quick. rafting, crash
ing, almost deafening, surprising anything had
4 ever conceived in the way of infantry firing To
add to the horror of the scene the wounded were
e now pouring in rapidly, covering the floors OF
+ Mr.. R0gerss dwelling and the smooth lawn in
its front. One poor fellow had been shot through
the head, and was just breathing his last. An
other was most shockingly disfgured in the face.
, Another had lost his good right hand, and was
J nursing the bloody stump. Another-but why
: dwell upon these sickening detasl They are
v the same in every battle.
r About nine O'Clock, number of mounted
e civilians who had ridden out to see the fight
II took the alarm, and turning their horses heads
II in the direction of town. galloped back at the TOP
+, of their speed. The drivers of ambulances, too
d caught the infection, and could not be persuaded
e to return to the field To add to the confusion
our artillery now out of ammunition, had to be
Withdrawn to prevent its falling into the hands oil
: the enemy. This seemed to destroy what little
k confidence remained, and in few minutes the
IS scene wore very much the appearance of a STAN
e pede. A number of our men were seen flying
y across the fields, and moment after, the rebel:
d rending the air with loud cheers, were swarmin9
Is about the woods and cornfelds which skirted th,
NJ road on both sides.
ID 1t was mystery to me then why the enem,
[; did not at once push on and take advantage o.
e the success they had gained, but | understood
l. all later in the day
v At this iuncture had about made up nv mint
J. den what assistance | could, although great,
l. dsincned to fall into the enemy's hands. Find
ne ing, however, that the enemy did not pursue as
ST had anticipated. concluded 10 move back tOwar'
TO town Before had proceeded hundred wards
he the bullets were whstling arornd my head in tn
j most uncomfortable manner. and | must say tina
If for the moment | heartily wished myself back
III The firing soon after ceased, and was not Ion;
in finding place of greater security.
THE FIGHT AT MooRE's FARM
During the battle Rogersville, our caval
nv, about 500 strong, was drawn up in line on tn
>: farm of Mr.. Moore, about mile north of tn
- scene of the first conflict. Although there wa
ag no fight in them. and the wonder is they did no
I'd fly. as usual, at the first alarm they made them
M selves very useful in rallying stragglers. an
panic stricken men, and by their conduct enable
sc Gen Manson, the senior officer OH the field, t
make another stand
At this critical moment, the 18th Indiana
Nd which had been ordered up came along on tn
-, tdouble quick, and materially assisted in prevent
y Ting general rout. | shall never forget the sigh
- of that gallant body of men, rushing by at
- rght-shoulder shift, their new Springfield rifle
~ sllmmerng IN the rays of sultry August sur
~ Many of them were driving on TO a swift destruC
- ton, and they knew it, but they never halle
80 once, nor slackened their speed till they arrive
-, on the ground.
80 BY this time the other regiments had falle
back to the new position. and we're rapidly re
:. formed in excellent order. A fresh supply G
!: ammunition had arrived for the artillery and ev
~ erything was in readiness for second engage
7 ment, which was not long delayed.
# At the battle near Rogersville, / have neglect
all ed to say the enemy fought with a brigade G
of Tennessee troops. These were now Withdrawn
ee and Texas brigade was placed in front Tb
fubtx cirnila fa infr wit