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

were ordered to throw away our spare
wheels, and everything that could Tighten
the cassions. We chopped off all the
spokes and threw the hub, felloe and tire
into deep slough, together with lots OF
traps we had Never in my life did ex-
perience such awful feelings as when we
were stuck in the mud, and an awful in
fantry fight raging around us, and we un-
able to either fight or run, and our fate
depended on the pluck, endurance and
skill of the infantry. l would rather be
in ten fights than another such time as
that. About two miles from the river we
came to little spot that was not all un
der water, and here we halted, ready to
assist the infantry if they should have to
fall back under the cover of our guns
But now cheering news came up from the
rear. Our boys had whipped them badly;
the eolored regiment had fought like bull
dogs, and in one grand charge captured
two guns. The 50th Indiana had captur-
ad four stand of colors,' and our forces
held the field. while the rebels were sud-
denly retreating. A hospitul was estab-
lished and went over and assisted some
to attend to the wounded. Only those
who were considered slightly wounded
were here. Such as were able to come off
the field were assisted by comrade or an
old mule. And still the cold pitiless rain
poured down. Back on the field was
hospital for the more severely wounded
and medical officers were left there; so
it is 10 be hoped our poor fellows were at
tended to. That night we threw away
everything, including part of the ammu-
milton which was effectually spoiled for
the rebels. This was the Both. The morn
ing of the lst of May was clear and pleas
ant overhead; underfoot the mud was un-
fathomable. We put an extra team of
mules on each piece and cassion, as the
horses as well as the men had had nothing
to eat for two or three days and were
weak. We started before sunrise, and
before we had got three hundred yards
all our teams were mired down out of
sight We unhltched and dragged out
the horses, got detail of infantry, un-
limbered the pieces, attached ropes to
each and dragged them through. Thus
we toiled and plunged amid the mud.
till dark, when we struck road that was
passable for good teams. All day we were
mixed up with the train, who had orders
to keep out of the way of the artillery
As fast as our horses gave out, we took
the best mules out of the train, which was
the ordnance train, all the rest having
been buried in the morning. 1t was a
sight to see the masses strug
Cling in the mud As soon as one faith |
ful animal was irrevocably stuck, he was
abandoned and left to splash the mud till
he splashed away his life. The ammu-
nition wagons, as fast as they were stuck, |
we're blown up and left. The best mules !
only being brought along to serve in the
lrtiIlery. The day before. when the com
nissary train was destroyed, they set out
the barrels of coffee and sugar, and allow !
I'd the men to help themselves. That
else. and coffee and sugar will sustain life
For some time. We marched till IL |
o'clock the night of the lst, and only halt |
ed till A o'clock, A NJ, of the I'd. At
sunset we camped 8 miles from here, on
the Benton road, and at IL P. NJ, a sup
ply train brought US out some crackers. /
AT noon of the Sd, the army entered
town. and were paraded about the streets |
for an hour or two, which afforded the |
rebel citizens a fine view of it, and was
also good exercise for the men who were |
not tired, hungry, or barefoot. "Oh, |
MOI" the hinty streets was not damp from
the blood of the soldiers feet, nor did |
men drop down in the hot dusty passage. |
| endured all the rest, without much |
but at this | almost cursed
God for not striking Steele dead. The
Lieutenant commanding our battery is
back wounded parolled prisoner. He
says nearly all the men of one section that
was in advance, were killed. The rebels |
had him days Three times a day he
got pint of b5iling water and a spoonful
of meal. They abused him worse than
they did the other offices, because his ar
tillery fire was so destructive to them
He saw the rebels strip our dead, our
and our prisoners, of clothing,
money, and valuables. They took some
IF his clothes and his money, and watch,
md were going to take off his boots, in
which he had $4,000 suttler money,
which he was bringing through; but his
DOT was smashed and when they would
iay anything about taking off his boots,
ne would complain about his foot, and so
Isved his cash. There was some colored
soldiers; good many colored teamsters,
md REFUGEES after the fight was over
The rebel Col. Wright, ian Irishman,)
1ad detail made, and had the Confeder-
ate soldiers cut the throats of all the col
,red men, women and children His Or
Ter was, "Capt. have your men cut the
.hroats of the last id black son of b-h |
IF them that is tobe found on the field"
Gratuitous Printing.
The following very sensible remarks