The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-02-04


CAMP NEAR STRAWBERRY PLAINS, !
EAST Tenn, Jan. 10. ! |
Woods division of Granger's corps
lrove the rebel cavalry out of Dan
bridge, January 18th Sheridan's di-
vision came up the 10th. There was
sharp skirmlshing on the evening of
the 10th, but the enemy was driven
back, There was a tough fight Sun
day, lasting from three o'clock 7. M.
Till dark. la Oranges brigade of cav
airy, 125th, 93d, and 1st Ohio infan.
try-125th commanded by Lieut.. Col.
Moore, ODD and 1st by the Major of
the 93d-were the forces chiefly enga-
ged on our part. The infantry regi-
ments were on picket; and the forces
in the order from left to right as nam
ed above.
In addition to this section ofa bat
terry was posted on a hill in rear of the
125th. The rebels came on in strong
force, FIVE to one. The cavalry vi
dcttes were soon driven in; then the
infantry outposts, supported by the
outpost reserves, were hotly engaged !;
and finally, and indeed, very soon the
grand reserves went in, and the fight
became general and severe. Our
troops fought desperately, especially
the infantry. The outposts, as skir-
mishers cxcelled praise. Captain Bates
of the 125th Ohio, commanding skir-
mishcrs on the right of that regiment
made charge, and, gallantly suppor-
ted by the ODD and 1st on his right,
drove the rebs nearly quarter Of a
mile back, clear to their main body
Infantry skirmishcrs on the left also
fought most stubbornly; but the cav
airy being driven back, they were
fiankcd and forced back to the grand
reserve. In the open ground, looking
up the road to Bulls Gap, was semi
circular depression, a sort Of natura
rihepit, in which the 125th, grand re-
serve had been posted. This proved
to be the key to the whole position
The men fired by volley and were on
ly exposed as they rose up to dclive
their fire. The ground not only shel
tered them but concealed their strength
, from tho enemy, who tried by artillcr.
f infantry, and sharpshootcrs posted il
tree tops to dislodgo them. And
though hanked on the right and left
they" Tigers" Gen. Wood nance
them at Mission Ridge, and they dc
serve the name-held their ground til
dark, and then retired across ravinC
: and toolSfsup new position, fror
, which they poured in vollcy, whic
5 ended the progress Of the rcbels 70
r that day. There they remained unit
c Col. Garrard, with his splendid reg
= ment, dismountcd, advanced and occr
pied the ground. The regiment wa
then, by order of Col. Garrard, poste
= on the crest Of the hill next in rea
where it was relieved near midnigl
by tho 18th Wisconsin.
Tho stubborn fighting of the infaI
Q try alone saved the town from captur
l. and, perhaps, the cntrc comman
from defeat, for preparations for r.
c treat had beon going on all day, an
t. the troops engaged were not re-enio
+, ccd for foar Of bringing on gcncr
is engagement, for which VIC were n
J. ready. Tho retreat was made ov
j. two routes, our forces falling back
IT cross the lIolston to Strawborl
Plains.
j. Newmarket was occupied by Il
n rebels yesterday. The forces here Il
le ready for any emergency, and eXpc
A. an attack from Longstreet, who h
Mt been heavily rc,cntorcod, Still, if Il
n encmy is rs strong as reported, y
IN need not be surprised to hear Of
I'd next ut Knoxville.
ne Tho men arc destitute of clothiu
re and on very short rations. OF flol
last night, this command rccciv
three eights off pound per man, to Ii
two days, or one sixth rations. VIII
sick call is sounded, you may he
w many an exclamation like this: "Gi
lv us hard tack, and you may bo d
" 70 with your quininc," And of tcnta
'V' we are almost as short as of ratio
- while winter quarters are notcven
20 much as talked Of append list
as the losses of the l25th Ohio, in
fight described above. Have not be
-, able to ascertain tho casualties in
" 93rd and lst; they wcrO slight ho
ID over.