Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-09-24
From the 10th OHIO Regiment.
CAMP NEAR BOLIVAR, TESS.,
Il >

Sept. 9th, lSU2.
Editors CiTolaicls 1t Is long time since
my health would permit Inc to address
you, but after months Of suffering, health
mas in u measure returned, and am again
on duty in the service of my country.
On nv return 70 the regiment, July
ilth. from absence at home, found 1t at
Grand junction, together with tho 18th
and GSth Ohio, under command Of Col
LeGgett, OF the 18th, who was also COM
mandant OF the Post. Atthat time Gen'ls-
Hurlburt and Sherman's Divisions were
az, or near LaGrange, three miles distant.
Shortly after my arrival, these divisions
were ordered to Memphis, which left the
command of Col. Leggett in Il very expos
ed and isolated condition, twenty miles
from any support, the nearest being at
Bolivar.
Under these circumstances, Col. Leg
gett was ordered to fall back upon Boil
var, but the Col. being desirOus Of secur-
ing all the corn and cotton in that yicinI-
", was, 81 his request, allowed to remain
until he had accomplished hls object,
when we fell back upon this place.
Here We were assigned TO the 18th bri-
gade. commanded by Col. Leggett, (who
by the way is an old resident of Trumbull
County, and well known to you all. and
2nd division. Army West Tennessee. COM
manded by Brigadier General Ross.
During our stay here we have been en-
gagged in erecting Notifications, and in
cotton and foraging expeditions, and moth
ing of more than usual interest has taken
place until last Saturday. Aug. 30th, when
a ''contraband" that had gone out as
teamster in foraging party, returned
very much excited, (having lost his team
and reported the rebels miles out, full
of secesh cavalry.
Inan instant all was hustle and excite
ment. and in a very few minutes the goth
Ohio was under way to reconOiter. They
were soon followed by the 18th Ohio one
section of the 9th Ind. Battery. and de
tachments of the end and llth Illinois
cavalry. The Goth was deployed as skirm-
isherS. and soon met the advance guard
OF the enemy here we were Joined by
the cavalry, when the attack commenced
and we gradually drove them back. our
men taking advantage of whatever obsta-
cles they could, picked of the secesh cav
airy like squirrels.
After driving them nearly two miles,
we encountered the main body Of the en-
envy, who were in force, at least 10000
strong. mostly cavalry. Some 1000 of the
cavalry now made charge at Us. and we
fought them desperately, retiring IN good
order. as we found ourselves likely to be
surrounded Icy the overwhelming mum
bers of the enemy.
Our whole force did not exceed loco
men. including the reserves. Our men
fought with the ferocity Of tigers. Two
companies, X L q OF the Goth, fought I'M
til they were entirely surrounded. and all
the officers, a. and about Oo of the men
were either killed or captured. The Hi
nois cavalry fought nobly. For some
reason the enemy did not see fit to follow
US. We have lost in killed or 10. and
as many wounded. and Ij or 50 missing
GS of the missing are from the Goth Ohio.
Among the killed is Lit. Col. Hogg. and
one Lieut. of the llth Illinois cavalry
The enemy lost over one hundred killed,
and probably as many wounded. There
are So secesh graves ON the field, besides
what were carried off by their friends. /
am happy to say the Trumbull County
bows are all safe, Corporal W. j. Grinnoll,
of my company, came near dying, during
the engagement. from Sun-Stroke; he
has since recovered. and returned TO duty.
The day was excessively hot anG dusty,
and the men suffered terribly from heat
and dust.
On Monday night. Sept. lst, the enemy
moved round our right, with the inten-
ton of cutting off our Rail Road commu
nication to jackson. Their plans were an !
and force sent out to strengthen
the guards on the road, but unfortunately
did not reach their destination until sew
eral miles of track had been torn up.
Our forces attacked the enemy and repul-
sed them. The first plan of the secesh
was undoubtedly 10 take US by surprise,
but in this they failed, and have wisely
70 retire to a safe distance
Their force are now on their way to Holly /
Spring. We have been expecting an at
tack here for some time, but l thiuk /
they will not renew the attempt at pres .
ent .tif they wish to try II On, let them
come; we are ready for them.
1t is encouraging to see with what !
the new volunteers have rush /.
ed 10 the call of their country, and hope
and trust that with their aid, it will not /
be many months before We shall have
this unholy rebellion, and be
able to return to the warm embrace Of our /
friends at home. Yours Respectfully, /
+. c. DOWNS.