The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-02-06
Can't. Caniold a PrIaoner.

We regret 10 learn that Capt Byron
w. Garfield, Of Co. +, ic5lh Regiment,
was taken prisoner on The 9lst uli.. and
is now ID the hands OF the Rebels. We
trust no efforts will be spared 10 secure his
exchange MS soon as possible. Over
one hundred Of the Regiment, and eight
Of Co. e, besides Capt. Garfield. we're
captured. Two Of Co. Il. escapei.--
The circumstances of the capture. and
the names ofthose captured belonging to
Go. E, are given 10 the following letter Of
j. A. Moffett. Of the i05h, TO Capt. Can.
fields brother, d. w. Garfield, Esq, Of
:his place; M
CAnr NEAR MuRFREEsnoRo', TKSNs !
Jan. %, 1868.
ID. w. CANFIELD, Esq
Dear Sir ;--It falls upon me TO inform
you that your brother, Capt. Byron w.
Canfield, Is now a prisoner, and in Tic
hands Of the Rebels. The circumstances
are as follows: On tho 2lst, an expedi-
ton was fitted out for the purpose OF for
aging, composed Of 1875 men detailed from
different companies Of this Regiment, a
guards Of the train. Capt. Garfield com.
manded the company, assisted by LIST
Lieut.. Tourgee, Of Co. G, and 9l Lieut..
Chubb, OF Co. d, making, in all, l3l
men and officers, with Major Potter as
Forage Master, as usual When out
about five miles, and driving quietly
along the pike, through a dense cedar
thickOt or both sides Of the road, The enc
my sprang out, some mounted and some
on foot, ordering them 10 surrender, and
threatening, in case they did not, to fire
upon them. The Captain Immediately
sprang out Of ihe wagon, and ordered
the mep 10 fall intolino, but il was of no
use; the Rebels had the advantage, being
ready for the men as fast as they sprsng
out Of the wagons, and. 10 less time than
| am writing Il. had them all prisoners,
compelling the drivers TO drive off as fast
as the teams could 60. There were ten
men detailed from our company, as fol.
lows:
Almon Hill, Chardon.
Elisha w. Hayes, MontYille.
William Stillwell,. Newbury.
Walter Strickland,
Daniel J. Reed, Auburn.
Ansel o. Brdgman, Huntsburg.
Byron A. Pease, Newbnry, (Had just
returned to the co.,
Albert A.. Champlin, Chester.
Aonzo s. Watts, Claridon,
McEendlic Mcfarland. Bainbridgs.
A. S. Watts and Mex. Mcfarland es.
capped, and came into camp the same
night. The balance (8) were all taken
The whole number that escaped, out oI
The expedition, we're 81 men; so you sec
they made pretty clean thing Of it,
There are some who attach blame to the
Captain, but think, when the matter is
fully understood, he viii be cleared Of al
blame. The orders are explicit with re.
gard to these toraging guards, and The
commanding officer is responsible for The
whole expedition, and is obliged 10 throw
out hankers on both sides Of the road. as
we'll as an advance aud rear guard. Blu
understand that Major Potter told Col
Hall, commanding Brigade, that, in order
to make the distance they had TO make
The men would have to ride, for it would
be impossible for them to obey the order.
and make the distance necessary, load the
train, (39 wagons and return The same
day. Whether Col. Hall gave permission
or not, is more than know, but think be
did. or the Captain woaId not have neg,
ecfed it. And he NIGH. have given him
instruction to let his men fide such dis.
tance, and then 10 take the prescribed csu
iion. They were taken but short dis
tance from our out Iickets, and no one
thought Of an enemy being so near. Al
means were adopted to retake them, bu
the Rebels had too much the start.
leaves sorry looking crowd of Co. Z
| mot, much Of crowd either.
! Truly yours in haste,
| lINEEUTn