Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-06-08
Special Correspondence Of the Cleveland Leader
The Great Expedition Of Gen.
efal Crooks. --
It's Organization and Advance.
CAMP AT MEADOW BLUFFS.
WEsr Va Nav 2lst. 1864

CAMP AT MEADOW BLUFFS.
WEsT Va, May 2lst, 1864. ! -i-
We are having short rest at this place
from the fstigues of our expedition into
the interior. the details of which here
give. During the latter part of April,
troops began 10 come up the Kanawha in
great numbers, showing that something
was up" On the Goth inst, Gen. Crooks
broke up head quarters at Charleston,
and proceeded up the river with his COM
mand. The infantry force consisted of
three brigades commanded by Colonels
Hays, White and Sickles, being respect
lively of the first, second and third brig
AIDES. This force made rapid and steady
advance into the interior, passing through
Fayetteville, Raleigh, Princeton, and 9TH
er places on the route to the Virginia and
East Tennessee Railroad.
On the 5th inst, we crossed the Flat
Top Mountain; the roads were very much
obstructed by fallen timber which the
rebels had recently cut to prevent our adj
vance These blockades were generally
big sharp angles in the roads, or where
there was a narrow and difficult passage.
Our advance was retarded somewhat, but
with their axes. That night (the 5th, J
we camped at Camp Creek, fifteen miles
from Princeton, and the next day march
ed into the latter place. The advance
guard of cavalry had slight skirmish
with n few rebels who were soon routed,
with loss on our part of two woundedi
During the day, soldier belonging TO
the 34th o. V. l., was instantly killed by
the accidental discharge of a gun which
he was taking from the ambulance.
Princeton, Mercer county, Va, was for
merly fine village, but was completely
burned two wears ago by the rebels. At
present fort occupies the site of the
town. We found a rebel camp there
which had been very recently occupied,
as fires were still burning, indicating that
the rebels had been there that same day.
The camp consisted of large group oflog
huts and tents standing. The citizens in
formed US thatwe were expected on anoth-
erroute, and that the rebel force, consisting
of two regiments, had gone to reinforce
the rebels in Greenbrier county. Our ad'
vance had been so quietly conducted that
they did not know that we were coming
until we were almost upon them. We
! left Princeton on the lst, ana marched
. twenty miles to Rocky Gap. The march
was very hard one on the men; the road:
bad and the weather hot. We crossed
during the day, the East River Range, {
spur of the Alleghenies. The advances
guard had several skirmishes with the en-
emy, but with no loss as far as can learn
Tho movement through this section o
country, seemed to be void any rebel forc'
which we would have certainly met had w
taken direct road from Princeton, thro
to the railroad On May the sth. th'
march was very long and severe, as W.
went twenty-six miles over rough and
hilly road, and having great many small
streams 10 ford. The last Is especially
bad, as the mems feet are sure TO be sor'
when marching with wet stockings. Th'
day was very hot, and altogether, it wa
about as hard march as is often expert
enced. That night we camped clever
miles from Dublin Depot. There haC
been several skirmishes during the day
and some prisoners were taken. l hay,
forgotten to mention that we had tw,
batteries with us, McMullen's and Sim
mond's.
! Monday, the 9th, we broke up camp a
daylight. and proceeded on the road t
Dublin Depot. A short distance from
camp heavy skirnishing began between
our advance and the rebels.
We Immediately began the ascent Q
Cloyd mountain, which we crossed unde
a heavy artillery fire from the rebel bal
teries, posted in the woods below. III
I'd brigade was in advance, the Sd next
and the lst in the rear As soon as pos
sible our artillery was brought over tn
mountain, and our lines quickly formed
ing every move. -
The rebels were posted on asingle rids
mostly in the woods, and in some place
protected by slight breastworks. Thel
, artillery, consisting of eight guns, wa
posted near the center of their lines.
/, The 2d brigade of our force was sent o
on the left to turn the rebel Hank; tn
Ist brigade was placed in the center, an
the Sd brigade on the right. As soon q
+ the engagement began on the left, ou
brigade (the first was moved forward j
line down a slope of the mountain an
across a large open field in the face of th
rebels, who poured heavy fire into US 6
we advanced. Our left wing was also no
, lly engaged, and for an hour there was
, continual roar of musketry along IN
whole line. The rebels made charg
a upon our guns, but were Iepulsed wit
= heavy loss. Col Hays, commanding th
!. lst brigade, led a charge upon the reb'
guns, capturing two brass pieces, whic
/ had annoyed us considerably during tn
! earlier part of action.
f The enemy finally gave way, obstlnatel
$ fighting as they fell back towards Dublin
; Two miles from the latter place the re-
r els received reinforcements, and attemp
I ell to make another stand, but were SOC
/ driven from their position, when their e
o tire force retreated towards the railroa
: bridge over New river. Our force was Il
/ much fatigued to pursue them far, s1
. we halted for the night at Dublin Depo
e on the Virginia and East Tennessee Raj
h road. We were very much elated by OF
\ victory, but it was won at heavy cos
n and that night we missed many famill
. faces from our ranks, faces of old cor
y rades, tried on many q hard fought flei'
|. and found true to their country and ma
e hood.
Our total loss in the battle was abo'
y six hundred; / cannot learn the exa
4 number. The 18th and 2Sd Ohio Rel
= menis, and the 9th West Virginia W
: unteers, experienced the heaviest loss.
p 1t is needless to speak Of any one rel
ment as doing more than another, for