The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-08-11

would return, and their vals of uncorked wrath
would pour upon US streams as muddy as if ema-
mating from old Abe's Brain From Vernon we
! proceeded to Versailles, capturing 500 militia
there and gathering on the road Near this
point, Capt. p, Presbyterian chaplain AID
former line othcer In one of our regiments acuated
by a laudable desire to change steeds, moved
ahead, fanking the advance and running. upon a
full company OF State militia. Initiating his CON-
mander's demeanor, he boldly rode up to the com
| pany and enquired for the Captain Being in
| formed that there was dispute as to who should
lead them, he volunteered his services expatiating
largely upon the part he had played as an Indiana
captain at Shiloh, and was elected to lead the
gahant Hoosiers against "the invading rebs."
twenty minutes spent in drilling inspired COM
Piete confidence; and when the advance guard of
Morgans command had passed without Capt. p
permitting the Hoosiers to. fire, he ordered them
into the road and surrendered them to our COM
mand -Crestfallen, indeed, were the Yanks. bpt
| Gen. NJ. treating them kindly returning to them
their guns, advised them to 60 home and not come
hunting such game again as they had everything
to lose and nothing to gain by it.
From Versailles we moved without interruption
across to Harrison, Ohio destroying the track and
burning some small bridges on the Laurenceburg
and Indianapolis Railroad. At-H. we burned a
! fine bridge. Leaving HI. at dusk with noiseless
tread we moved around Cincinnati, passing between
that city and Hamilton, destroying the railroad
and scout running the Federal pickets into the
city, the whole command marched within seven
miles OF it. Daylight of the 14th found us Is
miles east of Cincinnati. Sunset had left us %
miles west: but the. circuitous route we travelled
was not less than 100 miles. During this nights
march many of our men, from excessive fatigue.
were riding along fast asleep. Indeed, hundreds
would have been left asleep on the road, had it
not been for the untriHg vigilance of our gallant
General. Up and down the line he rode, laughing
with this one joking with that assuming a fierce
demeanor with another, and so on None were
lett, and when we reached the railroad near Camp
Dennison, few persons would have guessed the
fatigue the men had undergone, from their fresh
and rosy appearance. fight was imminent
Madame Rumor had beea whispering that old
Granny Burnside would pay us a visit that morn
ing; but instead of arriving he sent us a train of
cars with several of his officers, who were kindly
received and in honor Of their arrival grand fire
was made OF the oars, &c. Nothing of special I'M
portance occurred after passing Dennison, EXCEPT
at Camp Shady the destruction of IS arny'wagons
and vast amount of forage. Until the morning of
the 18th our command had heavy marches over
bad roads Making detours, threatening both
Chillicothe and Hllsboro on the north. and Gal
iipolis ON the south Daily were we delayed by
che annoying cry of "axes to the 'front.'" crv that
warned us Of bushwhackers, ambuscades and
blockaded roads. From the 18th to the 10Th
every hillside contained an enemy, and every
ravine blockade. Dispirited and worn down we
reached the river at a. m, on the 10Th, at ford
above Pomeroy, l think, called Portland. At4,
two companies were thrown across the river, and
were instantly opened upon by the enemy A
scout of 800 men were sent down the river half
mile, who reported back that they had found
small force behind rife pits, and asked permission
of Gen NJ, to charge. He assented, and at five he
was notified that Col. Smith had successfully
charged the pits, capturing $50 prisoners Anoth-
er courier arriving about the same time reported
that gunboat had approached near our battery
but on being being upon had retired precipitatey
General NJ. finding both of these reports cor
rect, and believing that he had sufficient time to
cross the command, was using every exertion
to accomplish the task; when simultaneously
could be heard the discharge of artillery from
down the river, heavy drumming sound of small
arms in the rear and right; from the banks of the
river, came up three black columns of infantry,
firing upon men, who were in close column,
preparing to cross Seeing that the enemy had
every advantage of position, an overwhelming
force of infantry and cavalry, and that. we were
being completely environed in the meshes of the |
net set for US, the command was ordered to move
up the river at double-quick The gallant field |
and line officers acted with decision and prompti-
tude, and the command was moved rapidly off the |
field, leaving three companies of dismounted men |
and perhaps two hundred sick ard wounded men |
in the enemy's possession. Our artillery was |
doubtless captured at the river, as two horses had
been killed 10 one piece and one in each of two |
others, and the mountain path from which We |
made our exit was two precipitous to convey them !
over. Two Lieutenants and five privates were
known to have been killed on our side.
After leaving the river at Portland, the CON-
mand was marched to. Bellevle, some ii miles |
and commenced fording or rather swimming at
that point. Three hundred and thirty men had /
effected a crossing when again the cnemy's gun |
boats were upon us-one iron clad and two trans /
ports. Again We moved up the river The Sc |
cond Brigade commanded BY Col. Adam II. John
son, was ordered to cross, guides having re. /
presented the stream fordable In dashed the
Colonel, closely followed by Lieut. Woodson. Can
tain Helm, of Texas, Young Rogers, of Texas, |
Capt. McClain, A. Z. s., Second Brigade and nv /
self: The ColonePs noble falters, strikes out
again and boldly makes the shore. Woodson fol-
lows. My poor mare being too weak to carry me
turned over and commenced going down; encum-'
bered by clothing, sabre and pistols, made but /
poor progress in the turpid stream, but the recol
lectlons of home, of brght-eyed maiden in the
sunny South, the pressing need of soldiers, and
inherent love of life actuated me to continue swim
ming Behind me 1 heard the piercing call Of
young Rogers for help; on my right, Capt. Helm
was appealing to me for aid; and in the rear my
friend, Capt. MdClain, was sinking. Gradually /
the gunboat was nearing me. Should be able to .
hold up until it came? and would I then be saved
to AGAIN undergo the horrors of Federal bast;la1