The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1863-12-04


I the other troops time to take up new position
! in our rear. l moved my position, by the flank
in the face Of q most deadly fire from the enc
my ;--the nature of the ground compelled me t
do this and, in doing SO, the retreating Artil
lery and Cavalry dashed through our ranks
causing great confusion but, thanks to my gal
liant officers and the cool courage and fine disc
pline of my noble boys, every man was soon il
his place, and moving right at the advancing
foe. No regiment, in its first fight venture tn,
opinion, ever had its discipline and courage more
severely tested, and no set Of men could have
sustained themselves, under similar test, with
more credit to themselves Without claiming
anything for myself, deem this much due to
the gallant officers and men Of my command.
Darkness coming on, we were ordered to fall
back to the suburbs of the town, where we re-
mained until about 2 o'clock, A. NJ, amidst q
heavy rain, when we were ordered to move to
camp, pack up baggage, supplies, &C., and pro-
coed to the Notifications northwest of town,
where we arrived about daylight. Sunday was
spent in skirmishing with the enemy, and in
consideration Of the hard service we had per-
formed, during the past "a hours, we remained
inside the works most of the day. The enemy
having massed his artillery at point west OF us,
opened upon our position, on Sunday evening,
with most terrific fury. Our troops all fell back
to the fortifcations and a most furious artillery
fight was kept up until dark The 1881 escap.
ed without any casualties on Sunday.
On Sunday night, about 10 o'clock l was in
formed, by Gen. Elliot that it had been deter
mined to evacuate the place, that should
mount some of my men on my regimental hors-
es, and be prepared to move, at a moments no.
tee, without baggage or transportation Ac-
cordingly, about 9, A. NJ, after the guns in the
fort had been spiked, the retreat commenced,
the 1881 taking the advance, followed by the
balance of the lst Brigade We had proceeded
about miles, on the Martinsburg road, when
we were fired upon by the enemy's pickets,-
Johnsons Division, of Ewell's Corps, having
arrived at that point about an hour before we
made our appearance, for the purpose of inter
cepting lis. We formed line of battle, immedi-
ately, although it was quite dark, and threw
out skirmishcrs. Other Regiments having ar
rived upon the ground, we were ordered to ad-
vance and attack tho enemy. We advanced to
within good range but finding the enemy strong
ly posted behind the Railroad, with artillery
and infantry, We retired sufficient distance to
avail ourselves of the protection of rise of
ground in front of the rebels this we did
second time, when day dawned. and afforded
us better view of the enemy's position. At
this juncture Gen. Milroy rode up and ordered
the l23d Ohio, and 18th Connecticut to charge
My little band went in with yell, amidst
shower of grape, canister and musketry; such as
never witnessed before, and never wish to see
again. We got within fifty yards of their guns,
which were unnamed several times by our
boys, but the odds was too terrible to engage
them hand to hand, and all we could do was to
retain our position, hoping for support. By this
lime many Of the troops had left the field and
were continuing their retreat in different direc
lions. Gen Milroy had also left, the 18th Con
necticut had fallen back. finding itself without
support and being left alone, with my brave {
Boys falling all around me, we again fell back, I
eaying the enemy masters of the field, leaving {
II of my brave lads, on the ground, killed and |
Wounded, all of whom had fallen in the last
harge within the space of twenty minutes
When | reflect upon the matter, and remember l
he terrible shower of lcaden and iron hail
which we had to encounter, / am so surprised 8
hat so many escaped-that we were not entirely t
nnihilated. '
On coming out Of the woods, in which the reb- !
Is were posted, discovered, some distance to \
~ left and rear, white flag and the enemy
dvancing to receive it. Immediately rode to : :
,e spot and enquired whether surrender had :
cen ordered, and was answered in the at1irma :
We by some officer near where the flag was ex- j.
osed / afterwards ascertained that Col. Eely,
Cd Brigade, had ordered the sur ;
nd,r of SO much of his command IS remained I.
nd 5th Maryland. Occupying the position he a
id, to my left and rear, and the enemy advan- 4
ng, in force, in his front, my retreat was en-
rely cut off, and We had no alternative but to :.
are the fate of Col Eely's command. might 6.
ave made dash and cut through, with few a
my men, and, being on horseback, succeeded 8, g
escaping myself; but the lives of many of my
pys would no doubt, have been sacrificed in !,
le attempt The sacrifice would have been
10 great for the results that might have been at a.
lined hence yielded not only to circumstan- .
,s but to the dictates of humanity, and con- .
uded to share the fate Of my men, and as .
,nsequcnce l am now one Of the inhabitants
this loathsome prison. y
Every officer, who went into the fight with q,
g on Monday morning, 18th of June, stuck to nj
e to the last and are now prisoners with me, or
icept Maj. Kellogg, who was wounded, while o,
'llantly doing his duty, and who succeeded in