The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-08-09


interruption across to Harrison, Ohio,
destroying the track and burning small
bridges on the Lawrenceburgb aud In
diAnapolis Railroad. AZ Harrison we
burned a line bridge. Leaving Harrison
Of dusk with noislees tread, we moved
around Cincinnati, passing between that
city and Hamilton, destroying the rail-
road, and scout running the Federal
picl5ets into the city, the whole command
marched within seven miles of it. Day
light of the 18th found us lS miles east
of Cincinnati Sunset had lett us y
miles west, but the circuitous route we
travelled was not less than 100 miles.
During this nights march many of our
men from excessive fatigue, were riding
along fast asleep Indeed, hundreds
would have been left asleep on the road,
had il not been for the untiriDg vigilance
of our gallant General. Up and down
the line he rode, laughing with this one,
joking with that, assuming fierce de-
meanOr with another, and so on. None
were left, and when we reached the rail-
road near Camp ID nnison, few persons
would have guessed the fatigue the men
had undergone from their fresh and rosy
appearance. A fight was imminent
Madam Rumor had been Whispering that
old Granny Burnside would pay us
visit that morning, but instead OF arriv-
ing he sent US n train Of cars with
several of his officers, who were kindly
received, and in honor Of their arrival a
grand fire was made of the cars, &c.
Nothing of special Importance occurred
after passing Dennison except at
Camp Shady the destruction of
seventy five army wagons and a
vast amount of forage, until the morn
ing of the 10th our command had heavy
marches over bad roads. Making de-
tours, threatening both ChillicOthe and
HillsborO or the north, and Gallipolis on
the South Daily were we delayed by
the annoying cry of "Axes to the front"
a cry that warned us of bushwhackers,
ambuscades and blockaded roads. From
the l4th to the 10Th every hillside con-
tanned an enemy, and every ravine a
blockade. Dispirited and worn down
we reached the river at 3 A. NJ, ON the
10th, at a ford above Pomeroy, think,
called Portland. At 4, two companies
were thrown across the river and were
instantly opened upon by the enemy, a
scout of 800 men were sent down the
river half mile, who reported back that
they bad found small force behind the
pits, and asked permission of Gen
AZ. TO charge He assented, and by
i've he was notified that Col Smith had
successfully charged the pits, capturing
100 prisoners. Another courier arriving
about the same time reported that gun.
boat had approached near our battery
and on being fired upon had retreatec
precipitately.
Gen. NJ. finding both Of these reports
, correct, and believing that be had suili
cient time 80 cross the command, wat
using every exer,ion 20 accomplish tn,
, task, when simultaneously could b,
J | heard the discharge of artillery iron
D down the river, q heavy drumming sounC
Of smsll arms in the rear and right
from the banks of the river, came vi
, three black columns Of infantry, FIRM
! upon our men, who were in close column
preparing to cross. Seeing that the en-
env had every advantage of position, Al
Z overwhelming force of infantry ant
! cavalry, and that we were becoming
q completely environed in the meshes o
+ the net set for us, the command was or
dered to move up the river double-quick
/, The gallant field, staff and line officer
! acted with decision and promptitude
and the command was moved rapidly Of
/ the field, leaving three companies of dis
a mounted men, and perhaps 200 sick an,
1 wounded men, in the enemy's 20 Sses
\ sion. Our artillery was doubtless cap
: tured al the river, as two horses hA
d been killed in one piece and one in eac
q of two others, and the mountain patti
. from which we made our exit was to
= precipitous TO convey them over. Tw
: Lieuienants and five privates wer
q known 10 have been killed on our sid
= After leaving the river at Portland, th
= command was marched TO BelleYill
!. some IA miles, and commenced fordinl
n or rather swimming, at that point
. Three hundred and thirty men had ei
= fected crossing, when again the enc
|. my's gunboats were upon us-one iron
4 clad and two transports, Again "
4 moved up the river The second BRIG
AIDE, commanded BY Col. Adam n. Johr
!. son, was ordered 20 cross, guides hayin
"a represented the stream as fordable.
"a dashed the Colonel, closely followed
70 Lieut.. Woodson, Capt. Helm of Texa
a young Rogers of Texas; Capt. McClai
"a A. G. s., Second brigade, and mysel
10 The Coloners noble mare falters, strik,
"a out again, and boldly makes the shor
,e Woodson follows. My poor mare beir
i. too weak to carry me, turned over al
h. commenced going down; encountered l
M clothing, sabre and pistols, made b.
- poor progress in the turbid stream, b
mr. the recollections Of home, of brigh
= eyed maiden in the sunny South, ii
N pressing need of soldiers and an inh
M rent love Of life actuAted me to oontinl
"a swimming. Behind me / heard d
ii piercing call OF young Rogers for hel
Id on my right Capt. Helm appealing
I'd me for aid; and in the rear my frieI
of Capt. McClain was sinking. Gradual
w the gunboat was nearing me. Should
es be able TO hold up until it came; al
a. would then be saved TO again under
n the horrors of Federal bastile ? But
of hear something behind me snOrtingl
AL feel il passing! Thank God am save
A. A riderless horse dashes by; 1 gra
as his tail; onward he bears me, and b
a shore is reached. Col. johnson,
We reaching the shore, seizes upon q to
H. inch piece of board, jumps into leal
nv skill and starts back TO aid the drow
k ing. He reaches Capt. Helm, but Cal
as MoOlain and young Rogers are goI
es Yes, Capt McOlain, the true gentlemI
to faithful soldier and pleasant compAniC
I h. Al A