Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-01-06

the best possible advantage Ga the 9th
er hsnd the enemy was not in.cIive. The
side aud summit of the R.dve were
wrea,hed in -m"ke nom hls nunerou.
batteries. Hut h. e"ald no l"nser suth
elentiN drpre-s his pieces {" ina at-riAlly in
jure our infantry. who. regardless Of the
storm ~ iron .--,d that ragged above
theIu u>h i ~..-s.,Il, futAatd up the
sleep ..>e-nt .N-r he r,-,,-l N,rR- -
Ii wa GLORIOUS sight ti~ m.u have
seen AN equal L. H. terrible gran
ldeur--nOn- have sen il -url a->ed. In
the eiesr sunlight "i that bright Nosem-
beT day. und--T all arch oi h iug shot
and bursting shell, the brave defenders OF
our 'uutr, : honor -hrrs>>tuii, chsiged
the niotle, hosts ot rebellion nu,i drove
| ths-u from .,ue of the -fr.,hg-sI naturally
fortified places on the Continent What
woned-rILe thsI every soldier h- arr beat
faster hnd hi- inspirations b~czn- more
rapId ~ he rallied 1" the assistance at the
dear Old Flag as & wHs planted ia triumph
over the rebel strong hold. The very bold
ness OF the undertaking and the daunt-
| less manner ih which il was Executed
dering him Lowerlt.-= To rs-l>I the daring
limpetuosity at the charge |, was after
ward remarked by rebel prisoners that
''The men who could make such charge
could storm He'll sud lake the D,-vil by
surprise"
No part of our forces wa, 80 successful
as the Old Army of the Cumberland
sherman commanding the left, did hard
er fighting, bot accomplished less, failing
to turn the -neniys right flank rs wassn-
ticipsted, while Hooker. h" hid more
d ficult ground on which To fight. was
confronted ty yeIy small ."Ice md sus-
tanned com mpanhtive email loss
Having attained the summit ri The
rid Se and captured several thonsa nds pris-
oners. our wearied forces halted Just at
dusk To rest and pre- pare SUPPER. IL WIS
indeed meayrr meal; A lJIl' coffee and
hard tack at best, and, in .n,,n. cases "l,-
ly drink Of cold water A. thls juncI-
ure, after innumerable inquiry aud much
difficulty, We succeeded in joining cur
Regiment. The bays were very glad to
see us. They forgot the hsrd>hips aud
dangers OF the day in then vag-rness TO
hear from relatives aud friends at home.
Never did We exchange more heart felt
congratulations than We did that night
with our fellow soldiers ON ,hr summit OF
Mission Ridge But many we're missing;
their places in the ranks We're vacant
Three had fallen that day to rise no more;
and twenty nine had bet n horne from the
field wounded. The bloody battle at Chick
amAugs had also told heavily on our no.
ble regiment; aud those Who I-mained
were desrer on account of the many dan
gers they had encountered
Supper over. We were ordered TO the
front where We found Col. Opdycke with
the remainder of his command-Hsrker's
old brigade, and one regiment. 18th. of
Illinois troops, in high spirits, anxious to
psoceed We pursued the r-treariEg en-
emy until midnight when We biSousced |
for the remainder of the night on the |
banks Of the Chikamsuga. being unable
to proceed further on account oi bridges
being destroyed.
Next day We returned 10 caIup, our
Brigade having captured during the en
8 'gement eight pieces Of artillery aud
one Thousand prisoners !
Although nn official eIsTelnenI has IT
been mad &, The entire loss of the enemy
will probably not fall short OF l2oUO IN
killed. wounded aud prisoners, 80 piecee
of artillery snd ibnuIner,1ble sInaIl srn,s
Our own Losses will scarcely hs u- thlrd
as great. Besides, the sdyanIsg- gained
to us is beyond estimate. Had We been
Knoxville would to dsy have
been in the hands of Lee. and snoIh-r
year would have '.--en added To- the rebel
lion.
Had not alrt.dy protracred this letter
to undue length, would SPEAK OF The
personal bravery OF many officers and
men. and relate interesting incidents of
the battle. Col. opdycke handled his
command splendidly, displaying great
GOODNESS and braver, under every circum-
stance. He did not detr,ct from the high
reputation be attained nj Chicksmsuga
tor ability and gallsntTy; Oh the contrary
ne gave new proof of quick perception
Ind power {" execution III trying times
when such qualities were most necessary.
capt Bates commanding the regiment,
md Lieur. 5. A. Smith acting Adjutant
lid nobly, winning high praise for their
yood conduct.
In my next, which may possibly accom-
'any this, will give you an account of
'ur march into East Tennessee
Respectfully,