The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1863-12-25

vile which was fully sixty miles distant
across Weldons ridge and Cumberland
we encamped the night OF the
ed at the foot OF Weldons ridge and the
next day crossed in Sexuatchie valley and
fed our horses, and then assembled Cum
berland mountain and encsnped on the
Summit, On the morning OF the 4th,
descended into a valley at the foot of the
mountain and found that our men had
been skirmishing with the enemy the pre-
vious evening. At noon we overlook
the command. 1t then consisted of Crooks
Division Gay the lst and I'd Brigades,
the lst'under Minty Of the 4th Michigan,
the cd under Col Long Of he'4th Ohio,
and Wilders Brigade Of mounted lnfan-
try.
At | o'clock we resumed the march,
and at 3 we went into Mcmnnyills dri-
ing the enemy from the town, but not be-
fore they had destroyed our stores. A
sharp fight ensued between portion of
Wheeler's force and one regiment of our
mounted infantry the latter armed with
the Spencer or self loading rifle.
The fight was terminated by Col. Long
leading a charge by the Cd Ky, Cavalry
completely routing the rebels and cap
turing number of prisoners.
The next day we marched to Murflees'
boro--a,aking a detour to head the ene-
my off from the place.
Finding himself foiled'n his attempt
to posses himself of the Supplies at Muir
fressboro the Rebel General turned 10 the
Southwark, and after capturing Christi
ana, small station on the bail Road and
destroying a small bridge, went to sheI
byville which he sacked. We stopped
long enough at Murfreuboro to draw cloth
ing and on the 9Th, moved to a point
six miles north of Shelbyvillo and en-
camped. On the 9TH, came up with the
enemy about miles S. W., of Shelby
vile. The mounted infantry, was in
front, our Brigade next, Sd Ohio in ad-
vance of the Brigade. The infantry dis
mounted and went into them with their
sSpencers," and in about three minutes
we got into it.
The infantry we're just driving them
from their covert and Col, Long ordered
the 3rd Ohio, to charge Sabres, himself
lesding. The rebs partially rallied and
poured in a volley but it was their last,
for before they could reload their pieces
we were among them with our Sabres. -
Short and terrible was the conflict. We
CHARGED the remnant of their force for six
miles capturing 226 prisoners and any
quantity Of arms and goods, taken from
the stores in ohelbyvile and McMinnyille
We finally came on the main body ol the
enemy, and hsd to fall back few rods
but still skirmishing until our forces came
up, when after most ssngulnary battle
of two hours we routed the enemy taking
four pieces of artillery Stokes, battery
did splendid work every shot telling
Col, Monroe of the ls3d Illinois noun &c
infantry was killed. Lieut.. Carpenter
Of Col. Long staff shot through the lungs
Our loss was about fifty. Col. Clay, o
the lst Kentucky reb. Cavalry a grand
son of Henry Clay was killed. In al
they lost about 100 and rs wounded
and over 400 prisoners.
You can judgeiof the sangdnarv nature
of the fight by the preponderanoe of the
killed over the wounded
However this may be owing to the fac
of many of them being dressed in ou
uniforms, and by Rosecrans order not en-
titled to quarter. But little firing wa
done by our cavalry they depending OF
the sabre. Col. Long, and bis escort, wa
in front of the fray, and he had his hors'
shot under him as also had our Col. Lei
dell.
From that time till they crossed tn
! Tenn. River on the 10th the retreat Q
Wheeler, was most precipitste.
He did no. go into camp at ALL bu
fed in the road part of his force NOV
ing to the front while tbs rest fed.
We came up in time to capture hi
rear guard at the place of crossing whlc
was nine miles above Florence Ala. Al