Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-02-03
From the l25th.

Fight at cambridge, Tenn, Jan. I7-The
Ohio Tigers Fight with Usual Bravery
Prospects.
CAMP NEAR STRAWBEEY PLAINS. Tenn,
January %, 1864.
Eds. ChrOHieLe:-During the latter part
of last week, our forces left their encamp
ment at Blain's Cross Road, marching tc
the front. On Saturday, the 10th inst
they concentrated at cambridge, a tow
on French Broad River, thirty four miles
east of Knoxville. On the evening o.
that day a sharp skirmish between GU
advance and Longstreets Cavalry, took
place a short distance east of the town
The rebels retired during the night, but
appeared again early next morning, and
established their pickets in plain view o
our own.
The I25th occupied the road most threat
ened, while the road to our right was held
by the 9Sd Ohio. Our left was badly ex
posed, being protected by only a few Cav
airy videtts. Firing between the out
posts commenced at 2 o'clock p. ~. anG
it soon became evident that an attack wa.
meditated. Long lines of rebel cavalry
could now be seen descending a hill to oul
front, and forming in line in the ravinC
below. Dismounting, they first felt o
the line to u right, but drawing a SHARP
fire from the ODD, they soon circle to the
left, and come in with a shout on our un
protected left flank. The Enfield's fire
was too much for our men, who were forced
to fall back nearly to the guard reserve
An attempt was then made to force bach
companies A. and c. deployed as skirm
ishers to the right, but, aided by a com
pany from the god Ohio, they repulseG
two desperate charges, and only retired
slowly when charged for the third time
by more than three times their number
Falling back on a line ever with the grand
reserve, it become evident that 10 assem-,
bic on h reserve, OF retire further
would let the rebels on our rear and ex.
pose the entire command to capture. w
made a vigorous charge, giving as carte
mus Ward would say" one of lou
f~ercest tiger yells." 1t had the desired
effect. The rebels ran like scared sheep
We drove them past the point occupied
by our advanced reserves in the morning
and only ceased pursuit after drawing thu
fire from their second line. Cavalry post
ed on an eminence to our right, say tn,
second line broke and retired half a milt
before it was reformed.
Night o coming on, our exhausted
men assembled on the reserve. and 1t
Col. Moore, commanding Regiment, con
scious that another charge made by frest
troops might prove disastrous, applied Il
be relieved.
The remainder of our brigade had re
tired early in the day, and no other fore
could be found near except the 7th Ohio
and I'd Michigan Cavalry. After hare
urging they ~dismounted and came to GU,
relief. We then fell back nearly to town
resting on a wooded hill which we soon il
Illuminated by carrying rails and building
numerous fires.
We o began to enquire for our deaC
and wounded. Among the former wa
1t. Smith, acting A%djutant, shot through
the head. 1t. Smith had been our Sergt
Major since the organization of the regi
ment, to within a few months past, anC
was highly esteemed by us all. Uncof
fed, we buried him in the Danbridg,
Cemetary. A genial companion and
brave christian officer; his illumined spiri
now whispers from the heavens shower
ing benedictions on the cause, in the de
fence of which he so nobly offered up hi.
life.
Among the wounded were F. J.. Fobes
Co. B, slightly in left leg; John D. Ma
han, Co, c, severely through right lung
He will probably recover
Riley Fitch and j. P. Gartner of Co. B
had their guns shot from their hands
and Sergt. Canon and Nathan Warden, O.
Co. C, narrowly escaped being killed by
the bursting of a shell.
The entire loss of the regiment was five
killed, ten wounded, and FIVE missing.
Our regiment was among the last in.
fantry to retire, leaving cambridge at
o'clock at night. We marched until three
o'clock next morning, and bivouaced al
the side of the road until daylight. Al
noon we crossed the Holstein river al
Strawberry Plains, and shortly after came
into camp at this place.
Our forces are mostly encamped be.
tween this and Knoxville. 1t is thought
Longstreet will follow and give battle.
We are on less than half rations, but
our men are unusually healthy andin good
spirits.
Longstreet has conscripted all the white
men between the ages of eighteen and
fifty, and negroes between fifteen and six.
ty, within his reach. He has probably
thirty thousand troops.
We have the 4th, 9Th and 23d Army
Corps. If properly supplied, we can whip
Longstreet on ground of his own choosing.
In any event Knoxville is safe; and when
our veterans return we will clear east Ten.
nessee of every vestage of treaso n.
Respectfully,
CEYLON.