Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-24

li CANP on SPRING RIVER, 4
June 10, 1862. J
EDS. LEADER; Since 1 last wrote you we
have travelled over much country and seen
many new scenes, and altogether have had
very interesting times. We left the quiet
burgh Of lola on Sunday morning June 1st,
and marched in southeasterly direction
distance Of twenty-five miles, encamping
at an Indian trading post The second
day we marched twenty miles and encamp-
ed on nice stream which winds its way
through one of the finest prairies / had
yet seen. This day we passed the Usage
Mission, which is conducted under the
auspices Of the Roman Catholic Church,
and has been established period of fifteen
years. The next day. by forced march
Of forty-fve miles, one battalion Joined
Col. Doubleday, who was moving down the
q cid military road from Fort Sect to Fort
Smith He had with him two companies
Of the Kansas 9th Cavalry, three compa-
nies Of the Kansas 10th Infantry, and the
remaining three companies Of the ID 0, Y,
c., and also a train Of one hundred and
ffty wagons. The following day the Colo
nel moved down the old military road ten
miles, to the confluence of the waters Of
shOal Greek and Spring River, and the
same day the balance Of our regiment, the
9th Wisconsin and Rabb's Batter, arrived.
Our camp now presented a fine spectacle,
and forciBly reminded US Of the ntented
field 50 romantieaIly mused over, when
We were younger and perhaps greener than
nov. Resting during Thursday, on Fri
day morning, the 9Th inst, an expedition
started, which was by far the most suc-
cessful Of any ever yet participated in by
our regiment, and has been, indeed, the
first signal success they have had the hon
or in assisting to achieve. The force con-
sisted Of cavalry, infantry, and four pieces
Of artillery, numbering altogether nearly
one thousand men. The infsntry were
transported in wagons, so as to accelerate
the march, and only the best Of the cavalry
horses were taken. It is not necessary to
mention the many minute events which
transpired during that long days march
Of between forty and fifty miles, except
perhaps that we found several places where
the enemys patrols had been only the day
OF night previous. The day was excessive
IL hot, and hence the march was very ia
tiguing. About o'clock P. NJ, as the adj
.vanced guard reached the summit Of high
bluff, they discovered dense smoke rising
from the timber directly In their 'front.'
The fact was communicated 10 the Colonel,
and IN a short consultation it was decided
to make the attack.
There was no doubt then but that We
were in close proximity to the enemy.
The guide informed us that we had arrived
on the borders Of Cow Skin prairie, and
that Grand River was hid in the broad
belt Of timber which stretched away IN the
distance. As this was the place they were
encamped, the order was given dor
ward, and away the column went at the
increased gait Of trot or gallOp, for the
distance, should think, Of four miles,
which brought Us within a short distance
Of the woods.
The Sd Battalion, Major Burnett in
command, was ordered to deplOy to the
right. The 1st Battalion, Major Minorin
command, to the left, both to patrol through
the woods and join at the point where the
road entered the woods Promptly the
order was obeyed. The Sd few over the
space to the right, when companies @ and
D were dismounted snd proceeded to scour
the woods. Ths excitement was now bec0m-
ing intense, and all were eager to find the
enemy. Just as these patrols were emefg-
ing from the woods after afruitless search,
ao0urier from Major Minor announced that
he had driven in their pickets, and that
their encdmpmeht vas about two niles to
the loft. The whole force was then moved
in that direction
An incident occurred at this time that
strongly testifes to the eagerness and
bravery Of the Ninth Ohio Regiment. The
cavalry, being in advance, hurried through
the first belt Of timber, and crossed The
Grand River, and were driving the enc
imy's pickets before them. As the wagons
containing the infantry came down 70 the
river, the process Of crossing became very
tedious, on account Of steep bank on the
opposite side; and as the wagons crowded
down into the river which is about twenty
2 rods wide at the ford and there halted the
Germans could not brook the delay, and
on hearing carbines discharged in the ad-
vance, they yelled out, By tam there they
Qo.n and out Of the wagons, across the
river, and up the hill they went. The cav
airy moved on, and soon came to an open
space surrounded entirely by the timber.
II was asceriained now, that there were
three camps, one directly in front, across
:. the opeu. space; and in the woods beyond
: This was Col. Coffee's S, who had six hundred
8 men. Another, to our left, Of one thousand
men, was commanded BY Col. Wqitiei
known as stanWiddie. Another still far
ther on, and to the right Of Col. Waitie's
was unier command Of a man by the name
! Of livingston lILtH aJL
Al soon as these facts were ascertained
Il the AFiiI IIery was ordered forward anld as
Z 81 came Funbling and jouneing through TN
timber, the horses on the galiop, az were
impressed with the idea that hot contest
was about to ensue. The Sd battalion was
then ordered to move forward in proxim.
ity to Cofee's Camp, to cut of the retreat
Waitiezhould he attempt 10 fly. Colo
. lnelD tSen moved the battery 70 the left
with the sinfantry supporting, upon an en-,
inence within proper distance Of Colone
.-Waitie's camp, the lst battalion being held
in reserve. So much time had now beer
, consumed, that the sun had gradually sunl
Z out Of sight, and all operations had to b
conducted By the uncertain light Of tn
moon.T The n0mentW vas impressive; na
D fture seemed disturbed by the trsmp Of tn
cavalry and the rumbHng Of artillery
Suddenly the column on the hill halted AM