The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-05-27
From the Mich. aOsh Regiment

We ars indebted 10 Hon. j. W. LOugyear
for a copy OF the following letter for publication
giving details of the recent action in which the
10Th were engaged
Camp near Jamestown Ky, Nav IL.
MR. LONsYEAR:-It il my painful duty to in
form you of the death OF LIT. Greene, who was
killed in an engagement with part OF Morgan's
forces, near Cumberland river. The circum
stances OF the affair are briefly these We left
our camp 1T Lebanon, Ky, on Monday, April
y, to 20 10 Columbia, 40 miles, on Green River
Onr Regiment was detached from the Brigade
and moved along alone. At Columbia We we're
joined by section Of artillery and three Reg-
ments Of cavalry, under the command Of Col
Jacobs. Arriving on Friday at the Cumberland
River, We learned that the enemy we're near
Monticello; accordingly We were ordered Oh
and reached that place Saturday night and found
they had been driven over the day before Gu
Tuesday, May 5, we were ordered back across
the Cumberland, and by forced march we
reached the river the same night, but owing to
rise in the stream could not cross. Wednes-
day, Thursday and Friday we're consumed in get
ting the cavalry across, our regiment in the
meantime acting as rear guard, Cos A and d
being stationed at the top OF high hill, the last
of long chain Of hills that the river cuts into
at this place. On Friday night, detachmeHts
from the balance OF the Companies hearing Of
rebels upon the hills went GU; on a scout On
Saturday morning eleven rebel cavalry came
within two miles of our picket post, aud in the
afternoon a messenger reported that our scout
ing party were fighting, aud our Company start
ed onward to reinforce them. Reaching a farm
house . miles from our post, we found our boys
we're being driven in, and they all soon after
came in, and we took a position to defend our
selves, behind the brow of hill that the road
went over at this point A farm house with al
orchard behind, stood in advance of US about
50 rods. With our small force deplOyed out
We waited all that night, aud had just eaten our
breakfast Sunday morning, when our pickets
we're driven in and the rebels took possession OF
the house and orchard, and commenced skir-
mishing. Occasional firing lasted until Loon.
About noon We brought up piece of artillery,
and commenced shellng the woods and orchard
Ten minutes later We were ordered to charge
across the open field in front of US to the or
chard. This We did in good style and the rebs.
fell back. But the sound of our gun had walked
up nest, and soon the enemy began to appear
in large numbers. We had in all about 45O
men, and we're so soon Out-nunbere that we
were forced TO retreat across the field. IL was
in retreating that Ii. Green fell Balls fell in a
( tempest around Us as We fell back, and he was
struck in the back. He was next to the last
man that retreated, and was last, 30 that lie
fell in advance Of me, aud as | was passing he
asked NE to help him from the field. Not be-
ing able to do it alone l called for help, and soon
wibur Dubois came back and we carried him
from the field down into a ravns in the shade
and directing the men to battle his face with
wafer / hurried back to our line OF defense, and
during the sharp conflict that epsued l had nc
tine to give NV attention to him. We were
abe 10 hold our position only about thirty min
utes, and in the retreat We were forced to max
could not save him. His loss is deplored By
the whole regiment. He sustained the same
character for ability and worth as a soldier thai
he did at home 1t Il worthy of remark, that BIZ
had Cast aside his sword at the beginning of the
tight, aud provided himself with a sixteen shoot
er rife, and used it bravely. In the anguish
that must I'll the breast of bis family and friend:
it is some consolation to know that be died 4
hero. We were not able to bring of his body
or recover his effects on his body. The Who'll,
regiment are brave II. B CARPENTER.