The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1863-12-24

rations, ccfFee, sugar, bread and meat
The boys we're very hungry and began
to put them in haversacks as fast as
possiblej but before we could possibly
get them all in, we we're ordered to
fall in and march to the rear a short
distance, and then crossed at once to
tbc right orGen. Thomas corps, dis
tance Of nearly 5 miles. With the
brave Gen. Gordon Granger, and Gen.
,Stsdman at ourhead,wo were at once or
'dered forward to gain certain very
elevated point on Missionary Ridge,
and hold it at all hazardsG This we
did,going forward on double.quick time.
A good part Of the time we could not
see the men for the dust. For the last
mile we we're shelled on both sides by
the rebels, but went on doubls.quick
step, lodging occasionally as the shells
came closer, until e.gained the point
to which we were ordered the 22d
Michigan regiment in front of US, and
the 1l5th Illinois in front of them
Very soon, however, after our line halt
ed, the % Michigan fell back under d
heavy fire to our left, and formed on it
Another moment and here came the
115th Illinois, wounded, Struggling, run
ming, and line broken. AT this moment
our men began to prick up their ears
as they heard the yells Of the rebels, as
they followed closley after the Michigan
and Illinois troops, pouring into their
broken ranks very heavy FIRE. Gen.
Stedman rode along the line in front o
them and tried in vain to rally them
tasthey approached our line. Col Carl
ton ordered our regiment to lie down
(which we did, and they passed over us
trampling on good many Of ou
men as they'went over the line, som,
with and some without guns, some car
rying wounded, others limping on ont
leg, aud so on:
1t was at this moment our regimen
was to be tried. The rebel lines follow
ing up.wth yell, as if their vic.
tory was complete As the balls began to
reach our line, 1 shall never forget the
command Of our gallant little Colonel
who knew we were not accustomed to
such a fire as was coming, lie sat on
his horse within few rods of where
Cen Stedman's horse had been shol
under him. and where few min utes af.
ter, his own horse suffered the same
fate, but he sat as cool as preacher il
a pulpit, and commanded, "steady
STEADY, STEADY III" Then we open
eaed terrific fire Of volley after wolfe,
into their ranks, for the space of three
| quarters of an hour, their line waving
to and fro, while ours was as steady q
a clock, and by this time they wen
back, leaving the ground literally strew Il
with their dead and ounded. We haC
no orders to go forward and did no
follow them, but had not long 10 wal
Till they came again with fresh troop.
to dislodge us,from our position; but VI
gain sent them back bowling as be
fore; and so op, until nearly dark, they
made charge after charge against our
single line, only to be as often repulsel
with great slaughter each time to them
and comparatively small loss Oh ou
side. ,-..a
1t was now nearly nignt, when the
lines hayiOg given way on both righ
and left of us, we were subjected to al
enflading fire of shot, she'll and musk
etry, thus funking US, so that we wer
forced to turn our line, but we rallie'
again and charged again, driving thea
back. By this time our amunition wa
gone, having fred sixty rounds, beside
all we could gather frem the boxes G
the dead and wounded. The frin
having ceased, wo selected spot to Ii
down and await the darkness of tn
night TO work our way back, KNOWN
the rebels were three or four lines dee
, in our rear. We had sent back an hou
before sua-down that our ammunitio
was nearly gone, the order cane bae
as before, to hold that poiut.
Soon after dark the rebels KNOWN
we were there, SO disposed their force
as to open fire upon nd charG
us from three sides, having a brigad
! on the fourth or front, to renew the a
: tack, while the others closed in and su
t rounded us, and thus We were sacrifice
, to save the other part Of the army,an
prevent a complete rout of our who
| line, and the rebel occupation of Cha
3 tanooga. All the accounts Of the gre'
/ battle, admit that for the timely aid
Gems. Gordon Grager, Thomas woul
D have been overwhelmed and ruined, q
, ter the falling to pieces of Gen. Crittel
: don aud McCooks corps.
. 1t was when we were aanked ar