The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1864-02-12
CORRESPONDENCE.
A PRODIGY Of VALOR.
John McMakin- of Co. x 9th Ill, Vols
CAREY, WrANDor Co., ONO,
February 4th, 1864. {

Mr.. EpIToR:-
The wars of other nations,
have been generally carried out on such
a small scale, when compared with the
gigantic contest which now agitates our
own Republic, that battles and actions
which in the former eases have chslleng-
ed the ntensest establishment and admi-
ration, scarcely receive more than a pas
ing notice. In the latter, indeed, the
valorous exploits performed by Richard
the Lion Heart and his fellow Knights
that in our younger years, we read with
belief that to excel them was impossible
have been duplicated over and overagain
and even surpassed during the Ameri
can rebellion.
The incident we are about to record,
occurred at the battle of Belmont, fought
by General Grant, on the 9Th of Novem-
Der, 1861. The General sought by this
movement, to prevent the enemy from
re-enlorcing Price, who, it will be re-
membered was at that time, operating in
Missouri.
Grant had so ordered the motions OF
several other columns Of troops. as to
completely deceive the rebels into the
erroneous belief that powerful attack
was about to be made upon Columbus
Kentucky; in this he was successful, and
consequently, won for his own little col
umn all the advantage of surprise.--
Early on the morning of the 7th, landing
just beyond range of the heavy guns Of
the forli6cations. Grant, after leaving a
reserve of one battalion, with his trans
ports, hurried on toward the Confederate
encampment near Belmont About two
miles away the met him, and began to
contest his advance, but it was all useless,
and his gallant fellows drove their aston
ished foes before them with heavy slaugh-
ter, until, in wild disorder, they broke
and fled, leaving their camp with every
thing in it, in possession of the victors.-
Elated with their success, the Union SOL
diers became, to a great degree, unman
agable, scattering hither and thither in
search Of spoils or captives. While thus
their foes, with the greatest
prempttude, hurried forward heavy re-
which were quietly march
ed across the country, so as to COM
pletely cut them off from their transports,
and thus insure their capture. The mo-
ment Grant learned the design Of Lhe en-
emy, he ordered the captured camp to be
fired; in which way alone he was enabled
to drive out his own men, and recall
them to sense Of their peril in justice to
the brave fellows. However, we must
mention that the instant they heard of
their being cut off They at once be-
came orderly, and forming in their re-
spective positions, they prepared to cut
their way back to their boats. They were
quickly on the march, and soon encoun-
tered the rebels, who thinking that the
title band OF heroes would become an
easy prey, threw themselves upon them
with wild shouts of enthusiasm; but they
had mistaken their men, and after short
contest, were driven back. Again and
gain they endeavored to accomplish their
'bject, but only to fail continual yet this
teady success on the part of the Federal
roops, was bought, only at the expenee
If the most magnificent heroism and
leeds OF valor, were ctowded into the
,loody drama, until distinction for any
me individual, became almost an impos-
ibility. We think, however. that none
viii be wrouged, when we assign the first !
lonor to the subject Of this sketch.
John McMakin of Co. X eth Illinois
1olunteers, while the heat of the battle
vas at its highest pitch, this noble fellow {
that all the Federal forces must {
urrender or be cut to pieces, resolved to
ccomplish something which might emit
ls him to honor or give him glosious
leath. So watching his opportunity, he
aught a riderless steed and mounting him
ashed forward into the rebel lines, ma
ing toward their first standard, with the
determination Of capturing it. BY one Of I
hose strange fatalities for which it has i
'een impossible to account for. With {