Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-01-02
Full Account of the Late Battle in wes-
tern Virginia.
INTERESTING INCIDENTS,

CHEAT MOUNTAIN SUMMIT, Dec, II.
On Friday. the 18th. inst. Gen. Milroy
made an attack on Baldwin Camp, about
20 miles distant, in a southeastern direc-
tion from this place. The troops under
his command consisted of parts of the 9th
and 18th Indiana, the 25th and 32d Ohio,
and ID Virginia. The place of rendez-
vous was the summit, on the afternoon of
Thursday. from which place the line of
march was taken up carly in the evening.
The attack commenced at 6I o'clock A.
NJ. and continued with little intermission
until l:30 z. NJ.
The 18th. Indiana. and 25th and 23d
Ohio opened the fight in front under the
immediate command of Gen. Milroy.
while the 9th Indiana and I'd Virginia.
under the command of Col Moody. of the
9th, came in behind the enemy and COM
mcnccd the attack in his rear at 7.30.
The conflict in front was severe and hot,
and part of the 25th Ohio fed at the first
fire. and Of those who fled many were not
again rallied so as to participate. but pre-
cipitately made their way back into camp,
bringing with them news that the whole
command hal met with disastrous de-
feat
The 18th and 32d manfully stood their
ground. and speedily drove the rebels
back into the entertainments, from which
they had sailed when they discovered that
part of our troops had fled. l was told
by Adjutant Patton that five times they
charged out from behind their breastworks
and were as many times driven back by
our impetuous boys.
In the rear Of their works the rebels hat
cut down trees and trimmed off the tor
branches for considerable distance, which
most effectually prevented charge Ly oul
troops; at the same time it gave the rcbe
sharp shooters an opportunity to pick Of
our men as they clambered over the log.
and brush. They were not. however, en-
tirely deferred from getting within riff,
range of the enemy. While some would
move forward others stood ready to dis
charge their guns at the rebels whenevel
they raised their heads above the embank
ments. In this way our men got so neal
the enemy that they could talk to them
and did. in fact, carry on a conversation
with them. in language. you may be as
sured, not the most refined. nor entirel,
free from profanity The fallen timber
while it preclu1ed charge and stormine
of the encmy's works. as had been intend
ed. afforded safe cover for our men. who
employed themselves, each in his own way
and at his own proper opportunity. II
picking off such off the enemy as for mo
ment unwarily exposed their heads. o
course there was soon adroit dodging be
hind stumps and logs to avoid the bullet.
Of the enemy. shot from the common rife
Our men were not the least afraid to ex
pose themselves to their muskets. which
at distance of fifty yards would shoo
twenty feet wide of the mark. But it wa
necessary to keep out of the way of til,
rifles. Three Of our men were killed b,
these latter. the ball in each case entering
the right eye. while several had very mar
row escapes. saw one who had. gasl
laid open on his cheek two inches long
another who had the skin on his throa
scratched. another with ball through hi
coat collar. another with hole througl
the top Of his cap. and so on. with hole
in the clothes and scratches Of the skin
bout the shoulders and head, those beinJ
the only parts exposed. and that onlJ
when necessary to get shot at the enemy
The 9th Indiana and 2ud Virginia kept OF
/ in this way. fighting until half past one O.
clock. when the order was given to retire
! AS the men were scattered among the log,
and brush up to within 20 yards of the reb
lei works. it required some management t
| get out OF the way safely. But It was Of
fected in this way; Those farthest from
the enemy's lines kept up constant ir
| ing which kept them under cover. anc
thus enabled our men in front to fall bacl
with comparative safety. W -
The enemy were unable to use their ar
ftillery. of which they had nine pieces: witl
any effect. To manage the pieces. the ar
| tillerymen had Of course to expose them
selves to the FIRE Of our men, At one fir,
4 six men were seen to fall around one Of til.
eannons- -at another fire fiyo fell Abou
| 80 of our men would FIRE at then
whenever they came ont to load and fire
and with xnch fatal effect that 1t length
the rebel officers were unable to inducs
their men. by either threats or persuasion
TO attempt 10 load and FIRE their cannon
! Our men were so close to them that the,
could hear the rebel Office 8 coax their men
/ and when .thsx failed. curse them for COW
| ards for not standing by their guns. g,
~ M~@v erte of ii v;do>1I 1>v;v.<, - -