The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1863, 1863-01-29
Letter from the Isl O. cavalry.
HEADoRs lat ONO CAVALRY,
n-,u.. L.. TX gE9 I

Letter from tnc Ast - cavalry.
r.. HEADeRs lat ONO CAvALRY
STEwART's CREEK. Jan. Is, '63
The night OF the 3Oth, the 81 Cavalry,
I'd Brigade. TO which Ibis regiment is
a tacbsd, commanded by Colonel Lewis
Zahm, encsmped on Oversl's Creek. on
the extreme right Of Major Gen'I Rose
GRAMS army, and on the right Of Cen
JoLnson's Division, three miles south of
the Nashville d Murfreesboro piks---the
Sd aud 4th Ohio Cavalry on the east side
the creek and the lst Ohio Cavalry on
the west side. We had been skirmi'h.
ing with the enemy at this point two
days without any serious loss, but we
drove The rebel cavalry back Of their
entertainments every day. At daylight
on the morning Of the 3lst, | was or
red 10 command Of Two companies IF
and K) to make thorough reconuoiS-
Sance up the creek and through the
woods. After moving my command one
mile in the direction. and before striking
tho woods with my main force. l dis.
covered struggling infantry crossing the
river ION double quick in my rear
They informed me the rebel infantry
/ ad broken through our lines, and lhsy
were trying to escape. AT this time !
received an order from Col. Zahm to
bring my command back as soon as pos
sible--ibat was hanked on my LIT al
ready, and that should join my rsgi
ment il possible. at once moved my
command at full speed to the rear. pass
ing the enemies left (three columns in
fantry) crossing the creek within one
hundred and fifty yards. and under
heavy Ere. Here | had one man ant
three horIes wounded. | was then a
least three fourIhs Of o mile from my
regiment. and the reb cavalry coming
a, full speed and we're within range Of m!
left. After reaching the camp We bat
oc caupisd tie night before, found
= could not c,oss without running lot
their lines. The infantry that we're il
our iron. and left we're already rctrsatin!
, in the utmost disorder. Il was here
r learned that Gen'l Johnson's diviSio
J was complet ly surprised, his batteri'
taken almost without firing gun. Afte
Q the cavalry had retired nearly half mil
into an open woods they were ordere
into line again, and remained in 'ha, pc
silion until the rebel batteries opened o
. us. Here from the first shell the bra,
and gallant Major d. II. d. Moore (O
Newark. OhioD fell mortAlly wounded
having been struck by piece Of she
in the forehead. We were then com
d PEELED TO retire from that position by rel
s imsnls. Our regiment having the le
:. was yet in an open field and retired net
"a six hundred yards to the rear near Il
d woods and formed again and remained
70 that position a short time, receivir
I three heavy charges from the celebrate
~ "a Texas rangers. and repulsing them ever
N charge with volley from our carbine
n. We releassda a great many horses Of tho
IN riders, and many Ranger is planI'
y there that will charge us no more. y
=" After the artillery had agaiu dete
n. mined our range preciselys and q
We grape aud canister coming thick al
l. fast, we were compelled to retire ,hroul
NJ the woods towards Nashville. Here '
=, formed in line again. We had scarce
os accomplished this before the rebel cav'
~ appeared from ihe woods BY legion
" Our noble commander Col Miner Mil
., ken, ordered US to charge them, viii
~ y was done successfully. but not being su
ported by any force in sight, be foul
that he sould not hold his position. a
o. advised US to retire, when he receive
lg the fatal shot that killed him. A mo
= brave aud accomplished officer doss n
n honor the cavalry service oflhis cOunir
<. In this charge Lieut. Timothy L. COud
oy Of Company l, from Marietta, Ohio. W
re- killed. Lieut. William Scott. (AnjutAn
Iis fell severely, but not morIally wounded.
n. on almost indispensable officer with u
il regiment
.. Alter the fall Of the Colorsl the rec
be ment retired by companies 10 the pix
ge 10 order TO protect wagon train. In
d. filed the pike as far as the eye could GO
IL Very unfortunats for us that the regime