The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-04-12

lco-respo n.eaee Of tie P.Hssianl
AT HEADQUARTERS, CoRPs p'AgMIE No 81
Gen. Banks Commanding,
Winchester. March Gath.

| approach OF artillery ii active operation
Soon from lip TO lip sped the exciting words:
'.Ashby's cavalry and artillery The
Union lovers smiled inctable contempt; the
Uuion haters could scarcely conceal their
triumphant anlieipatons. Fair Vmgiuians
looked fai.er in the flash of hope and their
best attire. Many a mirror reflected the
lovely image Of lis eager admirer as she
adorned herself with the costly dress, tie
dazzling gem. the locket with HIS likeness,
whilst full many an eye brighter than any
gem inanimate, sparkled with al xcusable
delight as the prospect rose before them of
coming forms flushed with an easy victory
For long ;ine the really dashing GurIil
la Chief. Col. Ashby, pushed his battery
from hill TO hill. Falling back from posi-
ton to position. our reirea,ing pickets slow
ly but undoubtedly receded before the SUI.
perior force of the enterprising rebel. Soon
the bursting shells began to fall upon the
very verge of the town. and timd citizens
fell back from those dwellings which seem
ed too near the fatal vicinity. A few OF
the neighboring hills awaiting the tardy or
der TO advance.
Spectators thronged the bill tops until
the whizzing shells ploughed up the ground
in uncomfortable vicinity, then reluctant
ly retired to more sheltered bu, less com-
manding emlneuces. Gaily dressed ladies'
from housetoPs, windows and verandahs
watched the unequal conflict with evident
delight. whilst many aspy, no doubt, under
the guiSe or disguise of "a citizen" would
have given worlds to have afforded useful
information to the enemy
j But soon the star spanglal banner ap-
peared at the north side of town, (the side
opposite to the attack whilst the most en-.
thusiastic shonts thrilled through the streets
from The untalfesius regiments that rushed
/ TO the scene of action. Oh it was q sight
| to enrap.ure soul truly atuned TO the ma
sic of the II nion, " hen that .sfiery mass
of living valor, rolling 90 the Zoe aud burn
/ Ing with high hope formed With the ire
si,to,e sweep OF mountain torrent upon
the S;rasbur. load. and received, with the
undauned demeapur If veteran troops, a
well aimed shell OF the foe al very shor,
range. The next moment six consecutive
shots from the Maryland biitery-all honor
to the 10y al and The brave silenced the
enemy's guns. and away. like frightened
chickens at the hawks approach. they fled
under the shelering wings Of twilight and
distant wood Olly one Of our men was
killed and Gen. Shields arm was fractured
by piece CT shell. Soon. from lip to
lip. the question was passed. where are
the rebels?" and echo answ cred where"
All this passed SO rapidly that it was the
opinion o. some that the whole maneuvre
Was one of Ashby's notorious pranks; but
others, who retained their judgment, saw
the fact that no single reg iment OF men
would have ventured SO near unless supper
ted by a reserve considerable enough to
warrant a well founded hope of having its
retieat covered. when. necessitafe rei,
their advance was CO rprled to retire.
From the dreamless sleep, Consequent up
on excessive excitement aud fatigue, VIC
woke refreshed, on Sunday morning, 23I
ult. some of us in stol skepticism, but most
of Us 10 instant expectation of battle. or
Of. at least, another preliminary skirmish-
Soon, the news that ",he pickets were at it
again. reached headquarters. There was
an ominous consultation. Now and thea a
small wrinkle Of red tape made its appear
ance, but IN quantity scarcely pcrcen.Ue to
the naked eye. Everything was soon con
fusion. Preparation emerged ull-panoplied
from the busting scene. Away went the
staff and away went every one who could
possibly be spared from headq .arters-
AS we nearcd the scene Of conflict, the
rumors were numerous and contradictory.
Messengers on feet horses rushed like the
wind 10 and fro: Ambulances slowly APP
preached the town with their suffering bur
thens. The artillery rolled its quick sue
cessive thunderS along the quaking earth, /
the bursting Shells plnweI up the earth, /
scattering death and destruction lar and
near; the hurting bal bu led Itself in the
quiyeiilg tree; now painting stra g Ter ex-
claimed to questioning groups, ",hey'rs dri- I
wing US bacl!.' then smiling lip would
cheer were giving them 6i-!' Finally. .
after pretty rapid march, We behell ,wo
beligerant hills helching fl nCs and INIT
te,ing thunder al each other. The reb-is I
evidently had the advantage OF position
Their hill, besides poss sssing greater ele- /
yation, was well wooded. their guas strong
ly posted and their aim feariully correct
must confess that my heart failed me for
moment. when | beheld the frequent shells
burst in dangerous proximity to the star
spangled banner. But was refreshed By
the perfect intrepidity with which our glo-
rious columns sus aimed the murdcrous fire.
you that. although still private in the no
BILE l6 h Indiana, which. by the way. was
on us way TO Centerville when the f Oh,
took place, and many miles away, l have
beer detailed 10 I'll an unsolicited place in
the Clerks department at headquarters II
Being without arms, was reduced To the
alternative of remaining an idle spectator
OF other mems deeds, or else of Borrowing
accoutrements of some wounded or other
wise incapacitated solder. Crossing thu
latter alternative. approached Capt. Schri-
yer. young and talented aide to Gen
Banks, who assisted me (yainly) in my
quest. AT length. just as was losing heart.
/ saw some Indiana boys around FIRE, all
with guys and none apparently about to use
them. Approaching the sombre group, l
demanded, boys, is it no. shame that ev-
ery body can have arms save myself on such
dayl" To my establishment they seemsd
to construe nv remark into a reproach-I