Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-04-02
Letter from Capt Asper.

WINCHESTER, VA, March &c, 1862.
Editors GrOAicle On Saturday last, the
Ord inst, was fought the fercest and
bloodiest battle of this war. 1t is called
the battle of Kernestown, the scene of it
being between Winchester and the former
place.
The artillery firing and m~aneuvering
commenced about 10 o'clock in the morn
ing; the Infantry did not become engag-
ed until 5 o'clock in the afternoon, when
the attack TO prevent a flank movement
of the enemy was opened by the Bird Brig
AIDE. A fiercer firing, lasting about an
hour and a halt, never was known. The
slaughter on both sides was great. Co. H,
and Co. r, forming the lst Division of the
eth Ohio Reg. led the column, and Co.
II. offered tho first sacrifice in this battle.
We were led by Col. Tyler. in close col
umn of attack to storm the rebel battery.
We encountered their skirmishers, drove
them in, and as we neared a stone fence,
the rebels opened upon us a terrific fire.
The column halted and went to firing and
every man fought with the determination
and will that could not be made to quail,
and although the rebels had the advan-
tage of position and cover, they were driv-
en- back with great slaughter. The storm
ing completed, and two pieces of artillery
-..1l IL A. ,.la11 ,xlo1 ,-,,-- l,,,-
en- back.
The casualties in Co. II, are as follows:
KILLED.
Frederick Groh.-He fell in the wood,
having been struck by a ball from one of
the guns of skirmishers.
WOUNDED.
Oren Grcgory.-In leg, severely. He
was hit in the wood.
Stephen E. Bishop.-Slightly in left thigh.
Arthur 4. Carannah.-In left hand; one
finger has been amputated.
james Hut.-Severelyi in right leg; am
putated above the knee to-day.
Hiram he aiston.-Run ramrod through
his right hand in loading his piece.
FtAiam II. Nc Q,uyL.-Bucksho OF wound
in side; slight.
DIniet Or onner.-On left side of head
slightly.
Charles n. Ttancy.-Arm bruised and
bone out of place.
l was also severely wounded in left
thigh. This occurred about 6 o'clock,
and was r~allying the men for final charge.
We had in battle forty-four men forty
five including myself. Our loss is almost
.nefourth of the whole company. The
of the Regiment is .. l have not
the number of wounded. Our
total killed is not far from 100, while the
rebels left over 30 dead on the ground.-i
270 prisoners were taken hat night and
morning. Our troops are following
up and nave completely routed JAckEon
army.
Young Lamphear of Co. B, escaped I'M
hurt and is well, as l have learned. Wal
lace Coborn of Co. c, who Wen out with
Co. II, in the three months service is Sc
Eerely wounded in leg. Ills father lives
in Bazetta. There are many other things
that would be interesting to your readers,
that l might give, but 1 am unable TO do
so. write this propped up in bed, and
am getting very weary and faint, but l
know the anxiety that all must feel, and
have, therefore, with much labor, given
you this much to relieve as much as pos
,ible, the anxiety of friends at home.
Say that Co. II, stood to her post with
lnfinching courage. None wavered nor
gave back an inch. All honor TO the brave
boys. Co. B, the other portions of my di-
did the same.
Yours &c, j. F. AsPER.
Capt. Co. II, 9TH Ohio Reg.
P. S. Our flag presented by the good
peopleof the Reserve, through Prof. Peck,
mas 81 bullet holes.