The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-07-29

Now that the seige OF Washington Is
raised, the Rebels not visible from the
ramparts OF the city, the telegraph wires
reunited, and the mails again carrying
and bringing tidings from the North, it
may be OF interest TO have some account
OF The situation Of the past week, and Of
the appearance Of things at the place Of
attack. ...,..... ........ .
The exac, force Of the rebels in front
of the Northern forlifcations on Sunday
Of last week, is not yet known, and, with
out that knowledge. il is impossible TO de-
termine the danger in which this city was
placed but, il the force was as is repre-.
sented, there is little doubt that, had the
rebels on that day, made m assault on
Fort Stevens, they could have taken il.
The next day they made movement, on
the fort, and got within short distance
of it.,so near that the guns OF the fort
could not be used against them. Ii was,
however, then too late troops bad ar.
rived from the Army of The Potomac. and
the golden opportunity for them was lost.
The rebels were dislodged by a portion
Of the sixth corps, a considerable battle
was fought near the fort at least, il
would be called SO, were we not carr, ing
on so gigantic a war, as we lost some two
or three hundred men, and the rebels as
many more. fre
On Thursday last, with friend, I went
to the field OF battle. which is abou, FIVE
miles from the city. The country looked
beautiful as we rode on, hill and dale al
terna;ing. The bright green foliage Of
the trees, and the sweel ali OF the country,
was pleasant exchange for brick houses,
glarng pavcments, the dust and smells Of
the city. Near the fort, we passed an
oat field, nearly ready for the cradle, in
which troop Of cavalry had evidently
regaled their horses then piece of open
woods filed with army wagons, loaded
with supplies then The fort, with i,s
bristling abaiis and its frowning guns
past this we looked on! on high chimneye,
marking the places where houses bad
been burnt. some OF them by shells from
The fort, 10 dislodge sharp shooters, who
had taken refuge therein !; others that had
been fred 10 afford better range for the
guns of the fort, and TO prevent the rebels
from taking shelter behind them. Half
mile further on, barricade across the
road and picket line, prevented further
progress. We tie our horse, and look
about. There is really no necessity for
going further, as the principal struggle
was between this point aud the fort 4; and
here. too. we had 6ne opportunity to-
study the character of the defcnses made
by skirmishers in the exercise OF their
perilous, yet exciting duty. In their ad-
vance, they seize upon anything that will
afford protection from bullet. Rails are
taken from the fences and piled up, ten,
fifteen, twenty in place, or, where there
are not so many conveniently at hand, six
or. eight are made 10 answer, by placing
them in the form Of the letter V. the ends
piled one upon another, and earth thrown
up against them where tho ends OF The
rails meet. II fire wood can be found
that is piled up, or fence, il convenient.
is barricaded with boards, logs, stores,
anything, or pits are dug, and the dirt
from them thrown against "a fence In
the absence OF these facilities, when obliged
to move through an open field. with bay
onet and cnp, they will, in a short time.
dig trench, five or six feet long. and a
foot deep perhaps, throwing the dirt Ia
ken out, in front of them, and lying in
the cavity thus made, shoot upon the en-
emy. These various species OF defenses
extended over considerable space par
ticularly were they numerous in the vi
cinity Of SONS houses that the rebels
sought as covers from the fire Of the Fort.
One house showed the effect of shell
and muskatry fire very forcibly. AZ the
shell had failed TO burn it /; five or six had
crashed quite through the house, making
ugly holes, and scattering about promis-
cuously the furniture that happened to
lie in their paths. One had burst in the
chimney oI the upper second story, and
bricks, mortar, furniture, bedding, &c.
lay about in most delightful confusion
while great gaping hole in the chimney,
looked down upon The scene, resembling
the mouth Of fsome hugo countryman, who
for the FIRST time, had Witnessed an as
founding feat Of legerdemain. Bulle
holes, as thick as the scars made by
hail-slorm, battered and perforated tn
walls, punctured the doors or splintere
the blinds and windows. The trees i
the yard were scaiifed in all directions
branches pendent, hanging by strip c
bark, and the leaves wilted, told Of wound
/ inflicted by these Ieaden messengers {
death. Along the fences, and near th
defenses for skirmishes and improvise
rife pits | bear spoken, of, were slrew
hard bread. rebel canteens, haversacl
:. greasy and OF coarse material, here an
there butternut coat or vest or stocking
o or An old siouched hat now and then,
cartridge. box and bullets here Goa
with hole just below the collar there
large pool OF blood; little further c
another pool and then another. eac
marking the spot where had ebbed o.
the life OF man. A little farther TO u
west, was where a part oflhe Sixth Corr
made charge to dislodge the rebels.
,a From Fort Stevens in this direction, Il
ground runs of with gentle unduIalion
but a gradual depression for perhaps la
mile then, By a gradual ascent, it ris
TO the top OF ridge half a mile furIh
on. The re bel forces occupied the slo]
towards Fort Stevens. and sought a GOV