The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-06-12

To friend III this village, VINO mas
kindly permitted us to use it, though
not intended for publication. 1t will
be perused with much interest by the
many friends OF Company Nj, in this
section.
WnLIANsPoRr, May 80, 1852.
Here / am, safe and sound, once
more in loyal State, but not Of my
own accord l can assure you. The
fact is, we were driven out and what
is worse, badly whipped besides. But
it might have been worse. 70
In Company M, several are missing,
one supposed to be killed and three are
wounded. The following are their
names: Daniel Knight, wounded, and
left at Winchester. Leroy Ensign,
supposed to have been killed; Albert
Vincent and Henry Rummels, flesh
wounds, slight. Jacob Spillman, VIM.
&. Niver and Thos. Pierce were taken
prisoners. Charles Wilcox, III. w. e.
lis and l.. d. +. Poorc, are missing.
They have been heard from, and it is
thought they will get in soon. r
We received orders To march abont
o'clock on Friday night, but did not
get away until 10 O'Clock Saturday
morning. After going about six miles,
we met the enemy's cavalry, whom We
drove back, after sharp skirmish, and
proceeded to Winchester, reaching
there about S o'clock the same day.
Our baggage train, which was in our
rear, was attacked by the enemy after
We had passed, causing panic among
the drivers, and our whole train was
lost. Allthe officers lost their baggage,
together with our tents, company
property, &c. What was not taken
by the enemy, was burned.
At Winchester, we were ordered out
about IL O'clock Saturday night. Al
daylight, Sunday morning, the fight
had commenced in earnest. Our reg
iment was sent out on our right flank
ia support a battery of artillery ant
some infantry. The rebels soon made
their appearance in large numbers. II
short time they had driven our artil
lery and infantry from the field, ant
our regiment was ordered to hold then
in check, and charge them, if we could
in safety. We formed in line OF battle
and the rebels did the same. The.
had a force of about six regiments O
infantry and we had only three compa
MES of cavalry, and there We stoot
facing that number, only about twelve
rods between us for six oreightminutes
Of course it would have been folly t.
have charged That force, and our Maj"
in command, ordered us to retire, whel
the enemy opened on US such fire o
mnsketry as / never saw before. l d.
not believe any troops in this war hav
ever stood up under as heavy a fire a
we were for few minutes. 1t is al
most a miracle that any of us were let
to tell the tale. cannot help but be
lieye that some all-wise Providence
stretched forth his saving hand at tina
time. Our Regiment was the mean
of saving large portion OF our arm,
for during the time we held the enem..
in check, it gave our troops time to re
tire. 1t was at this time that Go. NJ
lost their men. s
never shall forget with what an i'm
ploring look Daniel Knight turned {,
me when we were going off the fiel'
and said 81 am wounded and canno
ride farther. l had him taken to
private house. / had rather mario,
escape at this time. While | was thu
occupied, the rebels were advancin!
and got away at the skin of my teeth
The people fired at US from their house
when we were retreating through III
town.
We arrived three miles from thi
! place about twelve O'clock Sunda
night, having marched 81 miles tia
day. That night we slept standing
holding our horses, and thext mornin
were ordered to remain there on pickle
: duty, where we remained until Thur
day morning. We had hard time
our horses remaining saddlcd for s
hours; and during that time we ha
but four meals, and hardly any sleel
We are all right now, having had
. good nights rest last night. / woul
: not have you understand by goo
niqhfs rest that l mean we slept in
good bed and all that, but that "
were permitted to occupy man
grove, and 1 had nice smooth sto'
!, for a pillow, and an overcoat (which
saved) to put over me. ''
The Potomac river here is about &C
: feet wide, and there being no meal
+" of crossing, except a one.horse fcrr
K our regiment was obliged to ford il