Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-01-22
For the Gallipolis Journal.
CAMP CEook, CHARLEsIoE. w. Va,
- Jan. 18th. f63.

have been 10 circulation among my
friends in old Gallia Of me bssely de-
serting my Company and Regiment
while engaged m battle on Antieiam
Greek, Nd. As self preservation is
the first Law Of nature. beg that you
will allow me to speak in self-defeuce
through the columns Of your paper
l wish to state a few facts connected
with the battle and my mysterious dis
appearance. Our Brigade fought on
the left, in support Of Gen. Wilcox's
Command. When we were ordered in
to action the Brigade on our left gave
way, which caused confusion for short
time only, when the troops on our left
retired short distance and again
formed their lines. leaving US in front
and some distance 10 advance, holding
possession Of stone wall which the
enemy had recently held. In short
time we (lhe second Brigade Of the
Kanawha Division) were ordered to re-
tire, so as to correspond with the lines
of other commacds which had recently
fallen back. The enemy thinking us in
retreat. allowed their skirmishers to
follow us up. IL was while our Brigade
was making this movement that was
felled TO the earth by the force of what
l supposed to have been some deadly
missile passing near nv head. for l
could not attribute my falling to physi-
cal weakness caused by excitement or
fatigue How long I remained pros
trate and unconscious | know not
When strength again permitted me to
rise, ! gazed around unconscious ol
where was, or what had befallen me
l was looking for my gun when | dis
covered that | was surrounded by Bat
ternuts. that had been thrown out as
skirmishers. l though, to practice q
ruse on them by lying down and ap-
peAring to be dead. | WAS discovered
in the act. made prisoner and marched
to the rear of the rebel army. l was
taken to Richmond with about two
hundred Federal prisoners. We were
all parolled and sent to Annapolis,
I'll the 18th Of December l was
then ordered to report to my Regiment,
which l did about the 28th OF Decem-
Der. l have been legally exchanged,
and an now performing the duty OF
soldier. am now ready and willing
to march with my commander to avenge
the wrong of my country and the in
suits received from the hands Of the
rebels while a prisoner among them.
LEWIS J. DRUMMOND,
Co. l, Seth Reg't o. V. L.
LETTER FROM THE EIGHTEENTH
OHIO.
Battlefield, NEAR MURFREEs
i BORo. Tenn.
January 5. 1868.
The battle took place on the
north side of Stones river. three miles
from Murfreesboro, and commenced on
Tuesday morning, and lasted until Sat
urday night, with intervals o. quiet. The
hard fighting was done on Wednesday
Thursday and Friday. Our division,
brigade and regiment. was engaged in
the hottest of it during those three days
Col. Stanley commanding our brigade
did nobly. Twice did our division save
our army. They stood firm while 9th.
ers ran away. Our brigade made thres
distinct bayonet charges in one day
and each time drove the enemy. Or
Friday evening again, after a fearfu
contest Of several hours, and while heavy
columns OF our army were wavering
and falling back. our brigade made 4
desperate charge. drove the enemy clear
across the small river. and took hat
terry Of the enemy's best guns (the
Washington battery. which they took
from us at Manassas and thus turned
the tide Of victory, and pu. an end tC
the fight.
On the second morning Of the fight
the whole of Gen McCook's corp.
(threp divisions were surprised, driven
back in the utmost confusion, thorough
" routed and scattered. This tool
, place on the right "wednesday morn
ing.) McCook lost all Of his artillery
and many small arms. Had it not been
for this disaster, our victory here would
have been complete. and glorious.
The loss in our regiment in killed
and wounded rs fully one half. Abou
thirty Of our boys fell dead on the field
Capt Fenton. wounded in leg and Ia
ken prisoner; Capts. Stevens and Tay'
ler, killed; Capts. Welch and Ross
+ wounded, but not dangerously. Lieut.
, Blacker killed; Lieut. Miner and Nc
r Ciaron, badly wounded. perhaps moi
: tally; Col. Given slightly wounded
z Many Of our boys have had limbs am
putated. have stood BY the operating
: table and amputated limbs when my
r feet we're in blood an inch deep.
( have had a hundred eyes turned upor
r me at once, and as many voices. eacf
r asking to have his wounds dressed first
E Oh the horrors OF hospital on battle
, field, are past description.
, There was but little fighting or
, Saturday, and none yesterday (Sun'
E day.l No fighting this morning. Oul
/ advance is moving into Murireesborc
: without opposition. The enemy II
} gone, and we are not able to pursue
; We have lost in prisoners perhaps two
, or three thousand, and have taken o.
the enemy about as many. came
near being captured several times, and
i ,.,,.-oI t;rnaa fonnd mvsef mixed .uI