Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-04-08
Letter from an officer to his Little
Sons at Home.

The following letter from an officer
from this County, TO his sons, Will be read
with interest, by both old and young.
C.uP REApYvILLE TENN,
March, 18th 1868.
lfy Dear Boys:-How often have you
come to me on my return home, after a
days absence, and climbing upon either
knee, piled me with double volley of
questions, as to what had seen and done.
| will imagine you doing so now, and will
give you a days history of our regiment.
This morning, before day, seventy-fve
men from each regiment in the Brigade,
three hundred in all, were wakened, and
ordered to be ready to go as train guard
with the forage wagons, which were to 90
out for feed for our horses and mules.
Grain Is short forage, while hay, corn
blades, sheaf oats and straw, constitute
Iona forage. Having four companies of
cavalry, battery of artillery, the wagon
train OF four regiments, and officers horses,
we have four hundred animals to feed
and 90 foragIng once in four or five days.
Our train of fifty wagons with the guard,
left about six i'll the morning. 1t was
nine o'clock by the time they got two
miles and half up the Woodbury. pike,
and mile to the left, up a rough lane to
the place where the forage was to be got.
The road was among hills, running up
abruptly two or three hundred feet, and
very rocky. Our men had hardly began
to load the wagons, when the enemy
showed themselves on one of these hills,
between our train and the pike, and at
each end of the train, or as military men
say, on both flank and in front. Their
numbers could not be estimated, as they
were in the main hidden by the brush.
They opened brisk fire upon one train,
most of which was turned off the road at
once, and driven into good shape. 1t. |
Col. Suman, 9th Indiana, commanding |
the guard, sent message to ask for rein |
forcements, and the 4lst o. V. l., was
ordered to form and move out. I
The firing was plainly to be heard in
camp, and | ordered my horse saddled
and an ambulance got ready to go out.
In short time word came that two men
were wounded, and the Brigade Surgeon
desired me to go out and bring them in.
| found them at the house of planter,
in sight of the train, and having dressed
their wounds, and sent them off in an
remained to see what would
occur.
But to return to the fight The train
guard was placed behind fence, and
after delivering one volley, fired as they
could see the enemy. The rebs did not
dare, or did not choose to attack us open
ly, but evidently proposed to wait for the
train to start back, and then try for it.
Meanwhile several hundred shots were
fired at our men and returned. All this |
time the train was being loaded, rs if |
nothing unusual were going on.
Still, though we could stay where We
were, we could not get back without |
sharp brush, and the probable loss of some |
men As soon as the train Of half mile /
in length should be started out, our men /
must be scattered along 10 protect it,
while the enemy would choose his point /
Of attack, and concentrate his men.
All at once the 4lst men in the train
guard, raised shout 'hurra boys. all
right now, there's the old '0Aite hat!' 1t.
Col. Wiley wears a white hat, and our men
knew the regiment followed where that
went. They did not expect to be taken,
but | fancy felt something rs a man
would if he found himself suddenly in a
pond of water, not able to swim, and just
holding on to plank, while u boy should
run off mile or two for boat. ltwOuld
be a decidedly comfortable sensation to
see him coming round with it. So our
men knew the white hat covered the
head of an officer who would open the
road if bravery and energy could do it.
The enemy did not give him an oppOrtu-
nifty, but as soon as they saw the reinforce
nent, withwrew to a respectful distance
remained until the train moved out,
thinking they might then attack us, but
hey did not. The rear guard of cavalry
,ame up and told me the ''re6s" were ,
,nly little way back, and doubtless they
we're up in ten minutes after we left.
One of the wounded men had his left ,
lrm badly shattered, but both are now I
and taken it very easily, as
{ n matter of course.
Our men came back in fine spirits, and |,
will not soon forget the adventure.
Such is a day Of the strange contest in
which We are engaged, with those who
,nly two years since were one people
With us. Where will it end, and what
'esults are to follow, no one can see. One
hing think settled. The boys of to-
lay must prepare to become the soldiers
If ten or fifteen years hence, to defend
heir country, if need be, against rebel ,
ion at home, or invasion from abroad. ,
Affectionately Your FATHER. (
An Incident in the Cars. {