The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-01-30
CHARDoN GEAUGA COUNTY OHIO. FRIDAY JANUARY 80 1863

prisoners, aud conducted himself iko o
horo As wo gained possession of tho wood,
tho Rcbuls opC nod on us with fivo batteries,
which woro posted on u high ridge which
extends from point on tho Mississippi
wbero Vicksbufg is situated, to point on
tho I,zoo, somo twelyo or fourteen miles
from It's mouth. This whole ridge is strongly
FORTH cd. Thoy sont perfect storm Of shot
and shell into the wood Our battery soor
came up, and the roar OF tho guns, bursting
OF shells and crash Of tho timber folled by
tho shots, mingled with tho rflc shots. wero
almoot doufouing Hero the dead and
wounded. friend and foe, lay thick Agoin
the onomys fro seemed 10 slacken; again
night closed in. and wo were tho viclors. In
this days fight, Col. Sheldons brigade suf-
fcrea severely. Tho 49th Iud. lost forty
wounded and ten killed. In front of our
brigade tho Robels had cut tho timbor, So
that It formed almost an impossible barrier
between us aud thom.
Dec. 29ih, tho morning dawned and tho
sun shono out bright and clear. Neither
OF tho parties who, the day before, had been
conlonding so fiercoy, seemed inclined TO
open tho fight. Wo were within ! milo Of
the enemy, in plain sight We could SEQ
thoir cannon glisten, aud thoy conld get
comploto Wow Of us. Toward noon. gem
eral charge was ordered for our whole limo
De Conrceys brigade nWst charge across The
fallen timber. Col. DeCourcey is an old
soldier, and he saw at once that such o
charge would DO sure destruction to his
brigade, aud provo total failure. Ho re-
ceivedtwo verbal orders, but did not movo.
lie demonstrates with Gen. Morgan, but the
charge has been ordered by Con Shormon,
1 h.. II a. "a ~
He'll on Heaven. De Courcev drew bis sword
aud, with these words, led tho way "Here
goes my brave boys 10 sure destruction.
The 9Th Ohio led tho way, tho 22d Ky.
next, tho 42d Ohio next, and tho 5Ath Ind.
next. Our progress was not rapid, and such
a storm of balls few troops ever met. Wo
met terrible cross fro The 18th and 22d
wore swept away like cbaff before tho wind
A few reached tho Rebels works only to
meet suro death. A retreat was ordered
aud gradually wo foil back; but twolvo hun
drcd and sixty OF our bravo comrades were
left on the folG or taken prisoners. In thi'
charge, Corporal Gates again distinguishes
himsolf. Ho has been promoted to be
Sergeant, for his gallantrv. Also Franl
Clover has boon appointed Corporal fol
bravery displayed while in this engagement
Night closed upon ono of the blcodies
scenes that eyes ever witnessed. The deaf
and wounded wore brought in, and were 81
many that our surgeons could not attont
to them. The whole nigh. was occupied il
building earthworks, so as to be able to holt
sur position in the wood, should tho onom'
move on us. rs we expected they would
A heavy rain set in. making tho situation o
those woulded ou tho field terrible.
On the morning OF the 30,h, n flag of truc'
was sent to tho Rebels, asking permission e
got our wounecd and dcad from tho field
but thcy fred upon it. and would not re
coivc it. That night was on picket, AM
could hoar the groans of tho dying distinctly
, but there was no relief for them. Liout
Col. Kershner, commanding tho 10th Ohio
! was wounded and taken prisoner. Lieut.
: Col. Monroe, commanding the AL KY, wa
: wounded. We sent whito flag to tn
I ei elny on the morning of tho 3lst. Which wa
8 accepted, and tho wounded al d dead wer
, brought off the field.
I On the night of tho 2 January. we cam
: off to tho boats. leaving 5 900 killed, ,wounde
) and missing Tho enemy followed US close'
a and. before wo could got aboard tho boats
q and get off, thoy fired on US; but tho gun
J, boats soon dispersed them. We are no
: up tho river bond Our destination is nc
4 known to us. Great blame is laid 10 Ger
Sherman, and, if justice is done hl;n, th
: matter will be investigated, and no will re
8 ceivo the punishment which is probably du
0 him. havc written this very hurriedl,
i and mistakes, doubtless. boon mado.
g Respectfully, L. G. p.