Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-11-05
Letter from Washington City.
NATIONAL HorsL, WAsHINoToN,
ID. c., Oct. I7th, 1888.

EDIroR BELMONT CiiHoNrLE--o"'
Permit me. through your paper, to give my
f.;lcw-couutrymeu Of old Belmont briei
history of six days fight with Rebels in
the. South. and one days fight with the
traitors Of Ohio; thus emphatica'ly lighting
an enemy in front and rear--and thanks to
our brave aud loyal troops. We achieved q
victory over both wish was able 10 give
a correct history Of both fights, bat cannot,
Nh / was on duty for six days aud nights,
without relief, as Surgeon in charge of the
ambulance train OF corps, with sick and
wounded, marching every day and three
successive days Of that TIME without any
ra,ions, except four crackers given me by
one Of the men, with wearied frame heavy
eyes, aud nearly starved, was not able to
take notes, as I would have done if circum-
stances had permitted.
On the morning Of the 10th it became
evident there was move in front, and at
10 A. NJ. we werc ordered out in line of
battle. rode along the lines and over the
hills, and wherever looked saw breaking
up Of camps and lines Of battle forming. -
In the evening the ambulances OF the corps
with the sick, were sent to park at Culpep-
pcr. The men lay by arms during the night
aud on Sunday morning the whole army
was put in motion, having discovered the
enemy was endeavoring to get in our rear.
We had not marched over two miles when
news Of the enemy rapidly approaching ON
our left, where most Of the Third Brigade,
Third Division, Third Corps, was on picket,
They were soon formed in line along the
road, and soon the enemy pitched in, but
nearly as soon pitched out again at that
point; but in the afternoon they attacked
our rear guards bet*ecd' Culpepper and
Brandy Station, q place we'll adapted to
cavalry fighting, owing to the numerous
crests and declivities. When Fitzpatrick ar
rived at Brandy Station no discovered him
self outflanked and surrounded by supe-
rior force, aud that he must fight his way
through or be captured. Fortunately. a.
the critical period Buford came laundering
in from tho left, and Gregg from the right
{ Then occurred most brilliant fight. The
Rebels called on their infantry, who had
made an attack on part Of the Third Brl-
eade of infantry, to which belong, killing
and wounding several of the l06th New
York, among whom was Capt Peach killed.
In short time the Rebs. were put to flight
Our cavalry was again spread out on tho
roads leading to the different fords on the
Rappahannock, and on VIC marched till after
midnight before the troops were all safely
across the river.
When in . cold frosty valley 20 took
hasty supper and lay down to rest. Weary
aud weak from heavy work and active
thoughts, I tried to sleep, but the more
wooea the coy goddess the less inclined was
she to touch my eyelids l lay upon
stretcher. and as cast my eyes heavenward
the stars blinked as it they would sleep, but
could not until after 4 A. n. fell into a
sound slamber, but for few moments, when
my Orderly called to me my horse was sad
died and was wanted. rubbed my eyes,
and saw every ono was busy and nearly
ready to start. We moved about two miles
10 q beautiful and nearly open plain, ant
there waited for the enemy until Tuesday
morning but we could hear skirmishing q
several points oh our lines, and some Of oul
wounded were sent in. On Tuesday morn
ing we again set out. The Third Corps
that had been rear guard on Sunday, nov
took the advance. After marching som'
Ave miles I could look on either side Of III
and see our trains and corps guards on dit
icrent roads many miles apart, yet coult
not tell who had advanced fastest. wa
hlled with admiration at sioh grandand or
dsrly movements, and that, too, when w
oil knew the enemy was pursuing and ty
ing to flank us. About II A. NJ. we drove
into some large fields east of Warrenton
placed the men and guns In position to mak'
a charge on G. L. vallandigham, the Ohio
traitor; not balls and bayonets to- charge OF
him, but the ballot--and our guns, If neces
sary, to defend us in the exercise Of thai
right; and that right we exercised as ireel,
and fairly as at home. That vote will speal
for the loyalty of tho gallant l26th Obi
boys. I have not the correct return, bu
think there were only about S5 votes 70
Val. When the voting was ever We travel
ed on, but had not gone moro than two mile
unth messenger came running back will
an order to hurry up the rear, that the ad
vance had already engaged the enemy. d
We hurried with all power and soon came ;
whore our men had been wayaid by au
bushed Robs. They fred into and wounde
% Of our men, but on receiving few shel
took to fight, and could not be overtakel
We travelled about one mile further. Hel
the Second Corps bivouacked for the nigh
and the ambulance train Of the Third Corr
was halted two hours, TO let Fitzpatrick wit
his command pass to our front as guards.
We then marched six miles through ii
dark, through swamps and over hills, whel
overtaking our corps, We rested until NOR