Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-11-05


the right opened an enfladiog fire. Our
men soon saw their precarious situation
we're somewhat startled, hut soon recovered
from that and marched along the road with
perfect Indifference, while shell and shot
we're flying sgevery direction; until Ricketts,
and Arnolds batteries were placed in posi-
tion and opened on the cneinys cavalry with
grape and canister. The artillery duel was
then terrible and grand. May | say en-
joyed the sight? especially when saw the
Rebel. Ay in dismsy aud their captured
Duriug this fight two amusing incidents oc-
CURED. One was, when the Eolo,el rode up |
to- the captured guns he called on the ord
nance master to receipt to him for the guns
and he would deliver them over, when one
Of the men demanded receipt for one OF
the guns, ns be had captured it without any
help--which was really true. The other
was the novel method hit upon by Gen. Bu-
ford to surprise the teamster Of the train
and start them on, showing that he is Jor
tite IN erpedients While bringing up the
rear, and the Rebels not far behind, he came
up with the train Of wagons, about 800 in
number. The train was stopped, and Bu-
ford could not find any one in command to
start it. No time Was to be lost as the en-
cmy was pressing hard, and his command
might be cut off and the train captured. =
Buford soon bit ipoh' the plan. He order.
ed one Of his riAed pieces to be planted in
the rear of the train, and began firing shells
up the road over the wagons, at the longest
range aud with good elevation. A few Of
these terrible scieechers bursting over the
train reused the sleepy drivers, and accom-
plished the object. Believing the Rebels
were close upon them, the wagon master and
teamsters used whip and spur and the cara
van vent off at terrible rate, requiring
great energy with the Quartermaster to stoI
tue train or prevent tho driversfrom cutting
loose mule and escaping, minus a wagor
aud FIVE mules of each team. This fgh
fusted over five hours. II did Mt end how
ever. with an artillery duel, for heavy mas
Of infantry was consolidated to break through
the lines, and come at us with one Of thei
peculiar yehs, but the Second Division stood
firmly, never deigning to fire until they hat
come within $50 yards of the lines. Ther
was heard terrible voAey Of musketry, O
more telling effect upon the Rebels than tb'
shells. Soon the line of battle extended
from Bristow Station to Manassas.
On Thursday morning We again moved OF
toward Union Mills. After travelling som,
five miles We saw the Rebels forming in lin'
Of battle on tho opposite hill. Wo lost NJ
time in preparing to meet them, and brisl
but short encounter occurred with musketr!
ard cannon. The Rebs. were repulsed, bu
with what loss am unable to state, as
was ordered after dark to examine the troop
and take the name, regiment, company ant
division of all men unfit for duty and tina
would require transportation. After few
hours sleep, I was called up and ordered t.
: proceed to the Station, four miles distant
and from there to Washington, with oil th
! wounded and disabled, over four hundred il
number.
Our brave troops are safe in the fortifca
! .ions Of Centreville, Manassas, Bull Run
&C., where Lee will not dare to attack us
If he does he will pay as dearly, or more so
: than he did at Gettysburg.
! In this encounter Lee has again been me
and out generated by Gen. Mead. 1t wa
, evidently the intention of Lee to flank u
, ard throw his forces bstween us and Wash
:, ington, got possession of Manassas and Cen
:. treville Notifications in advance of us, Blu
, :, in this he found the modestly foaming Mead
rather more than he could swallow; and wi
: soon be compelled to beat o hasty retreat
regard this as victory of no small in
= port to us, yet small in comparison to tn
victory over home traitors. by shots Of pape
y y wads. And now l hope the Democrat
r who have heretofore on all occasions stoo
a by their country, right or wrong, and th
'. . first to lend helping hand when tho Go
: ernmcnt was threatened, will see the fol
. of their present course, and eease their o.
position to the Administration in crushir
. this uncallcd for and ungodly effort made
Rebels to destroy the Government. The
:" have also learned by this time that those
= us who have left our comfortable homes, o,
y friends we lovo, and that love US, and Al
:. willing to endure the hardships and priv
;, iious incident to the soldiers life, with O
!, the dangers of the battlefield, will not
l 4 n