Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-02-28
How Lander, Onptared Ffyo Officers
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How Lander Cnptnred rive Officers
GalIantry OF the OhiO Eight. ,.
We have had telegrsphic account Of Al
brilliant exploit at Blooming Gap IN Vir-
Cinia. The Gap was held by . rebel force
Of 900 under Gen. Carson. Gen. Lander
intended by a dash at night through the
Gap, to strike terror to She rebels, surround
the officers quarters and capture them be.
fore the rebels could form. When Lander,
and staff and the LIST Virginia Cavalry dash
cd through the Gap, The rebels had fallen
back. Lander then ordered the cavalry 10
push on and cut off the enemy's baggage.
Meanwhile Gen. Lander brought up the
Ohio 9th and Virginia 9TH Infantry for a
support. Tho Cavalry encountered the
enemy about two miles from Blooming
and being fred upon came to halt Ian
der hearing the firing came up and ordered
the Cavalry forward, but the men faltered
Lander said, "Come on" haltiug at The
head Of The column only long enough tC
toll the men to remember their holy mis-
sion and follow their General to victory
His appeal was answered by one private
named John Cannon, Virginia refugee
Gen. Lander charged, followed by Major
Armstrong, Assistant Adjutant General
Filz James O'Brien, the well known poet
Of his staff; and Major Banuister, Paymas.
ter U. S. A., who had volunteered for the
expeditions. A group Of Rebel officers were
distant about 800 rds,Ancouraging their
meG. Gen. Lander being mounted on his
celebrated horse, outran the rest Of the par
ty, and cut off the retreat Of the Rebel Off
GERS. Surrender, gentleman he said, cool.
ly dismountiug, extended his hand to re.
ceive the sword Of Col. Baldwin, whom an
instant before he had appeared to outside
observers TO be riding directly over. Five
Of the Rebel officers surrendered to Gen
Lander, and four more, Immediately after
wards, to the officers of his staff, among
them the Assistant Adjutant General O
Gen. Carson.
The rebels seeing tho small force with
Lander poured in volley from the woods
and the cavalry recovered from their panic
returned the fire. Lander then ordered
the cavalry TO charge up the road, and the
advance guard did so, but the main body
were paralyzed. Col. Evans with the lst
Virginia Infantry came up and captured
some Of the rebels.
Gen, Lander shot at one Of his own cav
airy men who refused TO go forward, saying
"tho next time III bit you, and if you don
clear the road this regiment shall deploy
and fire upon you" Col. Carroll with the
Ohio sth camc up; ego on" said Gen
Lander to Carroll, two need you now
clean them out, and take their baggage"
Col Carroll cleared the road as he went,
both infantry regiments behaving admira-
bly,, following and engaging the enemy to
the last, until ordered back. The pursuit
was continued eight miles.
The result ofthis affair was tho capture
of 1s commissioned officers and 45 non
commissioned officers and privates. Thirty
of the rebels were killed, with loss on our
side of seven killed and wounded. Col.
Carroll with the Ohio sth drove the enemy
beyond the limits of Gen. Lander's depart
ment and returned.
We get the above from letter from
Cumberland in the New York Tribune.
: Itshould be remembered that we have
Q two companies under command Of Capt
Tillotson and Haynes in tho Ohio sth.