Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-06-08

0AS AN "oJOAS RS " nv
front, which place it seems We are never
to reach; one hour the distance reported
being only FIVE miles, and the next twice
the distance. But a single wagon road
for this immense army to pass, and at =
slow, tedious pace at that. Rumors OF few
cry nature reach us; at times it is defeat
to the advance, and the reverse at other.
Six miles in three hours and we reach our
command, where the Gap looks into Su-
gar Valley. Here, scattered { the left
and right, lie the forces commanded by
Major General N Jefferson, the 18TH corps,
and two divisions Of the 10Th, under Brig.
Gen. Dodge, a more brave and unassum-
ing officer than whom is not to be found.
They have been six miles farther to the
front, but deeming it prudent have with
drawn to this position of natural defenses,
where Notifications are being rapidly
erected, from which all rebel6om cannot
drive him and his army. At the entrance
of the Gap lies the brave corps of Hooker
ready for the emergency. Troops were
moved from one position to another du-
ring all the night-one of suspense to the
army-as a battle was deemed certain in
the morning. All this confusion amid a
night of rain, thunder and lightning
Drenched completely we slept
ed amid the rafting of transportation
wagons, artillery and the marching and
countermsrching of infantry. Morning
dawns, foggy, damp and chilly; the troops
are again changed, batteries assigned po-
%sitions. transportation sent to the rear,
and every thing is ready by sunrise for
the enemy if he chooses TO come. Thus
we are kept till noon, when the 18th
corps move out q mile IN advance; a slight
skirmish and it is quiet. Night comes on
and we remain at our posts, the cannon
iers sleeping by their guns. horses har-
messed and hitched, but no attack. The
morning of the 18th, like that of the llth
is foggy and dark; an advance of a mile
follows with the usual amount of Skin
mishing-nothing more. Toward noon
the Goth corps m pouring into a val
ley at our rear, and we, the two divisions
of the 10th corps, move out to the front,
forming on the right of the 18th corps.
being honored, as it were, with a posi-
ton on the right of as grand an army as
ever faced a foe. At this place we reliev-
ed our jaded animals by removing the
harness for the night. 1t was necessary,
yet p~erilous in case of a night attack, but
the indomitable General Fitzpatrick was
at the front some distance with his cav
airy, and ten minutes is sufficient for our
faithful drivers to be up and ready.
At an early hour of the 18th, there is
commotion again, orderlies mounted fit
ting in every direction, and by sunrise
there is a move to the front in line of bat
tie. Cautiously we advanced with Skin
mishers well to the front, with no sound
Of battle till we reach the distance of five
miles, when the ominous crack of the
skirmisher's rifle warn us that the en-
emy's sharpshooters are in the brush and
behind the fences. At this juncture, Q
A. NJ, the brave and gallant cavalry COM
mander, Fitzpatrick, while with his men
on the skirmish line receives a rebel
sharpshooter's bullet in the leg. which
proved to be a serious wound, and he is
carried 10 the rear for medical aid. A Sc.
rious loss TO US, that of his services. At.
ter some farther firing by the skirmish-
ers on both sides, our forces advance in
five lines of battle through the woods,
fields and ravines. II was a sight never
to be forgotten by the writer. On they
press, up through the woods, each flank
being lost to the view among the trees
and brush. 1t is too much for the rebels
who were only keeping up a strong skir-
mish line, and they break from our adj
vance and fee toward Resecca, which is
hidden from our view by the line of bluffs
that rise to the west side of the 0stenaula
Creek. On this ridge our infantry halt,
and the enemy take shelter behind the
thick underground on the east side of the
creek. Between the stream and bluff is
an open stretch of plowed ground rang
ing from 300 to 800 yards wide, and it
was almost certain death or a wound for
one of our skirmishers to attempt a cross
ing. Batteries were now brought into
requisition, and with a good will we went
at a double-quick up the bluff and cane
10 "active 'front.'" the right section being
under charge of 1t. Laird, who IS in COM
mand of the battery, (Capt. Burrows be-
ing chief OF artillery of the 4th division,)
the left section under 1t. Hurlbut.-
With the merry zip, zip" singing around
our heads, we opened with shell and can
lister on the brush along the creek, but
they did not wait for the second round,
when rebels in their butternut suits could
be seen scattering in every direction. 1t
was sport for our sharpshooters, when they
left the cover of the creek, to bring down
the rebels, and many of tn en- found their
rights close to the banks of the silent In.
dian-named Ostenaula. This done, we
were called farther to the left, almost in
front of Resecca. Our first position was
of no use farther than to shell them from
the cover of the creek. All along the
western side of this stream rises a chain
of broken bluffs, and on more than one of
them, concealed from view of the enemy,
were soon to belch forth iron upon them.
Closing up on the right of the 18th corps,
the batteries of ou two divisions formed.
That of the 4th division under the imme-
date superintendent of Capt. Burrows,
who made excellent selections of posi-
tions, being continually under fire of the
enemy's Eharpshooters, who fully under
stood the use of their arms, using a pow