Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-01-21
From Burrows Battery.

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WARREN, Jan. 10.
Messrs EditorS:-Some apprehension hay
ing been felt in regard to the safety of
the 18th Battery, owing to the breaking
of the Railroad, which was their only
means of communication with the North,
l have made a summary from a very full
and interesting letter from Henry f.
HAYNES, Of Bloomfield, a true mar and
soldier. which will, 1 trust quiet all fears.
His letter is dated at jackson, Tenn,
Dec. 18th. Owing to various Interrupt
tions it was not completed till Jan. 8.
He states that for several days preyi-
Gus the horses were harnessed each night
and each driver at his post by 3 o'clock
A. NJ, that at that time the rebels were
reported as marching upon the place with
a force 5000 strong. The citizens were
not allowed upon the streets and all stores
closed while reinforcements were ordered
up from Holly Springs.
From this point l quote strictly from
the letter.-"Dec. 10Th 2 o'clock A. NJ.
Rebels reported three miles from here.
Our boys are anxious for the fray. Cars
were running all night bringing reinforce
ments. We have now about 10000 troops
here. The enemy are skirmishing with
our pickets, and have gobbled up two
companies of the 106th Illinois. A mes
senger reports that the rebels have divided
their force, part going north part south.
The 6lst Illinois had brush with them
four miles out, killing a Colonel and Is
men.
Dec. Goth l o'clock 4. NJ. We are
ordered out on a forced march with two
brigades of Infantry. Boys all in good
spirits in anticipation of a fight. Our
Battery in the advance.
5 P. NJ. We are encamped in a low
sandy bottom. Boys are getting supper.
They have shot some hogs.
81 P. NJ. Had just got to sleep when
crack crack; went the muskets of our
pickets. Hurra boys the enemy are on
US. The cavalry pickets come running
in heller SHELTER. Hitch up and away
we 90 to the front, the enemy running.
We followed about four miles. No harm
done in firing. We formed in line OF
battle and wait an attack. Crack! crack;
they fired on US again. We exchange
shots with them. No harm done. Away
they go again. They have cavalry and
can run faster than we can follow"
On the Dist the Battery returned to
Jackson taking with them mules, wagons
and horses which were pressed by the
boys to carry in their worn out comrades
On their return one section was at once
ordered out with three days rations.-
The boys who went out had a hard time
and were obliged to get part of their iv-
ing off the country.
Speaking of the breaking OF the rail
road Mr.. Haynes says:-"The people al
home need not feel alarmed about us.
True we are on half r~ations, but we live
better now than we ever did, for we live
off the country. If they tear up railroads
and stop our supplies, they must support
us. The citizens suffer as much as we do,
and more, for we take what we want,
leaving them ten days rations. They
don't like the arrangement but can't help
themselves. We go out in the country
and forag, and bring in everything we
want.
Dec. 3lst. Orders again. Another
tramp on hand. Do not know where we
are going. Boys say we are going to
Watch meeting.
Jan. Sth. Just got back after a fruit
less march of eight days. A day sooner
we would have cut off the retreat of the
rebels at a place called Parker's Cross
Roads. where they were badly whipped
Ohio troops done good work and turned
the fate of the day. Sullivans brigade
was very nearly whipped when the Ohio
brigade came up. They had double
ouicked Eve miles. With a shout which
which made the rebels tremble, they
charged their Batteries and drove them
pell nell towards Lexington. They took
400 prisoners and six pieces of Artillery,
Bully for the Ohio boys. They were the
27th, Both and 6Sd Regis"
On their march they were under fire al
a place called Clifton on the Tennessee
river, where the rebels were strongly post.
ed with "a Founder Siege Guns. The
rebels fired at the right, and no loss wa;
sustained. 1t was found impossible tc
dislodge them and that work was left fol
gunboats. The men were all well and in
good spirits. Ira
Mrs Olive Donaghy died in Crawford