Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1862-10-25
Army Correspondence.
Battle field of Perryvile, Boyle Co, KY,
.f rr.. Oct 10Th. 1862

.aa.aeasa Oct 10th, 1862.
Mrs. WILLIAM TOPPER, Ashtabula, Ohio.
scatch au opportunity from the many duties
Of camp life, to convey TO you the sad nte-
gence OF the death of your husband The
circumstances are as follows: On the 9Th day
of O ;tober we took our breakfast at daylight
in the morning, and Immediately marched for
Perryville, which we reached at two p. NJ. of
the same day, we were Immediately deployed
into line of battle, in support of battery Of
artillery, the 10Th Indiana; the battery moved
its position, and Of course we followed it and
took very exposed position on the top OF
hill, fronting a wooded hill and valley, 10 which
the enemy in considerable number we're posted.
1t was intended to dislodge the enemy, and the
infantry was intended to keep the battery from
being taken. AT precisely P. NJ, we were or
dered to the crest of the hill, and ordered to lie
fat on our faces. until the exact position of the
enemy could be ascertained. While we were
in the above position the bullets were whistling
thickly over our heads, and the shell were ex.
ploding in every direction around us, but from
the security Of our position, none of us at
this time we're hurt. Soon the fire from the
battery became too hot for the rebels to bear,
aud the7 began to advance to take it. Then it
was that we were ordered to rise and fire. Ev-
cry man of my command came up as coolly as
veterans, and taking deliberate aim, fred away.
Just before we were ordered 10 rise all of
our Regiment, except our company and the one
Immediately on our left, were ordered into
piece of wood that lay on our left so We were
left to ourselves, with two companies under the
command of one Captain. Our fire was so
deadly, that after the 9th or. 10th round the
rebels broke and run. No one behaved better
or more bravely than your husband. He would
walk up TO the top of the hill, take deliberate
aim at the rebels, then fire and fall back. He was
in the front rank, and never swerved
After maintaining their FIRE for three ful
hours, and had succeeded 10 driving them back,
we suddenly found they were hanking US on the
right and left, aud at the same time were ad-
vancDg in front, so we had to stand the fire Of
three columns All the horses in the battery
were shot, except what belonged to two guns,
when a retreat was ordered we retreated slow
~ eO"u mn oSoiu ~ shS ASO'i N"N
rallyiug on a new front, supported by the sOth
Indiana Volunteers, here we fred three rounds,
aud here il was that WILLIAM was hit.
At this time the rebel flag was only about
twenty yards distant from US, and it become
necessary for US to either get out Of the way or
b.; taken. AS we had no ammunition, we chose
the former, and again fell back, WILLIAM, at
the word retreat. started up to fire at the rebel
hag-bearer, and the flag came to the ground.
Almost Immediately be was struck by bullet
10 the right foot and severely wounded, the bull
let going clear through the foot, just between
the instep and toes. He said nothing, but
stopped to pull off his shoe, but it was hardly
done wheu minnie rife ball struck him in the
left breast just above the heart killing him in
stanily. He never spoke from the time he was
first hit. The last words be said were:-"I
guess that fellow wont fire any more'-he killed
rebel, and said this to me as he went under
cover OF the bill 10 reload. The rebels held
possession of The battle field all night of the sth
and plundered all the bodies Of everything even
taking Off their shoes and stockings. They miss
ed the ring on his finger however, which l en-
close to you.
Throughout WILLIAMS connection with this
regiment, his conduct has been uniIormally kind
aud obedient, never murmurng when extra du-
~ was required, Or when long marches were
necessary lie was uniformaly beloved by ey.
cry one in the Company.
We went into the Gght with over so men, md
came out with oLIy So A Dumber, however,
were Laken prisoners, four were killed outright.
Mr. SPtLLER has been detailed as Que of the
buryi6g party We will mark WILLIAMS grave
20 it can be found.
Respectfully Yours,
Capt. .. q. PRATT,