The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-12-25
Our Military Correspondence.
FROM THE FORTY FIRST REGIMENT

FROM THE FORTY FIRST REGIMENT.
EVANSVILLE, INDIANA, Dec. l5lh, 1862.
FRIEND CONVERSE .-Doubtless, ere !
this, you have read many accounts OF the !
brilliant achievement of our arms in the !
late battles in front Of Chattanooga
But perhaps it may not be uninter
esting 10 many 10 read sholt account of
the part which the "Old Forty Fret
took in the two brilliant ard successful
charges upon The enemy's works, carry,
ing the outer works on the 23i Of Novem.
Der, and crowning the whole with imper-
isbable glory by sealing the rugged nights
Of Mission Ridge on the 25lb, a day made
ilustlious on the page Of history.
Previous TO the 23d, we had received
orders respecting ammunition, guns. ac.
coutrtmenls, rations, &c, which plainly
indicated 10 the practiced soldier that a
forward movement was about to be made.
A little past noon, on the memorable 23d,
The Regiment was formed and moved out
in front OF Fort Wood and took its position
in line of battle. The 93l and 4lst Ohio
formed in one regiment, under the com
mand of Col. Wiley. Near o'clock,
everything being in readiness, the order
was given to move forward. Onward
moved lha; line Of brave and determined
patriots, Offering their lives as a sacrifice
upon the altar of our country. Alas
many a victim will be offered up and slain
eie the set of sun But none benches /;
all move forward with firm STEP re.
solved to meet whatever fate has in store
for them. The Rebel pickets fall back
upon their reserve, into their entrench.
meats, and prepare for desperate strug.
gle. Onward move our lines, hating only
q moment 10 FIX bay yonets. When within
a short distance of the breastworks, the
order was giver, charge bayonets
forward double quick !'' under a terri
BILE shower of leaden hail This order
was promptly and vigol ously executed,
carrying the works al the pom Of the bay
oue'. and capturing the 28lh Alabama
regimen, with their battle flag. Our loss
was severe, numbering some ten killed
and fifty wounded. After possessing
ourselves of the Rebel entrer chments, we
were at liberty TO turn our eyes over a
portion Of tie ground over which we hat
advanced. There lay many Of our dead
and wounded comrades. l will not at
tempt TO picture tie scene. but will leave
your readers TO their imagination.
We strengthened the works thus OBJ
iained from the enemy. We were in full
view OF the enemy's strong and seemingly
impregnable position on Mission Ridge
a distance of over mile to the base, and
half mile 10 its rugged and rocky sum
nit, crowned with cannon and encircled
with rifle pits. In the afternoon OF the
25,h oil November, we were ordered tC
rdvapce. No sooner had we left the
breastworks to move forward, when th'
enemy opened about forty pieces of artil'
lery upon our lines. venture to say sci
dom, if ever, did men advance under ,
more terrible and destructive fire get on
ward moved that line at a rapid double
quick, rushing, as it were, into the very
jaws OF death. After arriving at the foo
Of the ridge, we halted long enough t
take breath. The enemy were pouring
in their missiles OF death, thick and fast
upon us. "Forward, men! Jorward
q charge the hill !" was the order given b.
Gen. Hazep, and repeated along the line
: Up sprang the boys, (ior we had throw
ourselves down. SO as to be more protec,e
, from the fire of the enemy and com
menced ascending the hill, There wa
an end TO all regularity of line. Fac
one pushed on as best he could, all seem
ing 10 vic with each other to be foremos
= The summit was reached and carried
- and, amid The cheers OF the exultar
, soldiers, the old flag of our country wave
: over the Rebel stronghold. Our Brigad
= captured sixteen pieces of artillery. III
number Of our killed and wounded | al
l. unable to state. date my communic
d tion from Evansville, Ind, where ] a
,. now recovering from wound in the h
caused by fragment of shell hi,tir
ne while ascending Mission Ridge
F. May God comfort those whose irien
have fallen G.; p. B.
.t".| -I.