Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-07-02

glasses, We could easily perceive rebel
shsrpshooteFs. The only ford is about
mile above the site Of the bridge, and to
this ford the Second Brigade is sent, while
the Thirty sixth Ohio is placed on the
main road 10 occupy the rebels there. As
tho Thirty sixth drew near the banks, a
rebel shell was sent so exactly in range Of
their position ss to wound six and kill
one. Captain McMullen was ordered up
with one section Of artillery, and proceed.
ell at once most effscmally to silence the
rebels. Some Of them were on top Of the
shsIis QUICKLY drove them from fhsiF high
position, and about two o'clock, they,
learning Of the Second BFigsde's having
crossed the ford, rapidly sksdsddlsd, lsav-
ing the town to our quiet occupation.
Sunday, the Institute buildings and
Governor Lstcher's house we're burned, ten
minutes time being given to remove any
property from the latter. In the afternoon
8 contraband brought in word that seven
canal boats were hidden nine miles OF,
deeply laden with stores, etc. To secure
these Captain Blazer, with his scouts were
sent out and dskirmishing the whole route,
he found the boats as reported. Burning
Eve Of them, he dismounted his men and
hauled Two Of them 10 Lexington. In them
were six osnnons-tWo six-pounders, one
twelve-pounder and three mountain how
itzers-nine thousand rounds Of artillery
ammunition, ton and a half Of powder,
and commissary stores in great variety
and abundance. General Dufie rejoined
us here, having marches through Waynes
boro' on TO the Charlottesville and Lynch.
burg railroad, tearing up q small portion
Of the latter and capturing good part Of
JscksOn's wagon train.
Tuesday evening we csmped at BuchAn-
an. Averille coming in before rs osptur-
ed the Confederate Navy records Of 1861
and 1862, together with twelve more canal
boats heavily laden with provisions.
0n the lEth, Uhila we were halting ct
the base Of the Peaks OF Otter, informa-
tion was received that Breckenridge, with
IO, 600 mon, was 81 Balcony Falls, intend
ing to attack us on our ianks. In a good
position for defense, General Crook await
ed General Hunters and the other d.
vision. The whole command then being
assembled, and no foe appearing, we once
more marched forward, stopping for the
night at Tsney Farm, almost at the base
Of the Peaks Of Otter.
Thursday noon we entered Liberty, with
bands playing "Hail CcIumbia, i" "YaDkee
Doodle" sc. Hslting, the whole command
proceeded to tear up and demolish the
railroad, including bridge 700 feet long
For seven miles the work is maintained
and night closed in upon q scene ofsmOul.
} dering timbers, ties, and hopelessly beBI
= and twisted rails.
taIs IiiHhettY n 3,rM we're i've or six rebel hOspi.
sick and wounded from Lees army. WI
} learn here that the rebels are rapidly NOV
ing all their stores from Lynchburg Il
I DanVille, anticipating 81 least the possibl,
: capture Of the former place.
Early on the morning Of the 18th haVinI
heard from AVeFill that the enemy Werl
3 drawn up in good number in front Of hin
4 at New London, We marched, Crooks div
Q Ision in advance by a road not laid down
: on maps, along the north Of the railroad
Q crossing at James Church. This move
: ment tending to bring us in the rebel rear
e caused them to retire toward Lynchburg
= Cutting across the country we endeaVorel
!, TO intercept their retreat, but arrived Jus
Q too late on the main road. Stopping her
for dinner we were within about sever
miles Of the city on the road 10 New Lon
don. The pioksts Of the two parties Wer
so close that various uncomplimentsry re
marks we're passed quite freely from on
TO the other. At 4 o'clock, with The 9ls
u Ohio, End brigade Of Crook's division il
advance we moved out on the road, and i
about two miles the rspid firing in from
told US that we we're near the eRemy's arE
position. They opened on US with Wig
orous cAnnonade, having evidently oil
tanned the range Of sll prominent point
>, in our lines by previous practice. Th
u Sd brigade being placed on the left
the road, the I'd on th6 right th
9 order to charge WAS given. tn
main opposition was found on on
right the 9lst and l2t
Ohio, suffering most severely. The thlr
l. brigade having little but skirmishing, q
N il was on this frat charge, the rebels wei
ID driven back fully two niles to their lin
3. Of brssstWorks, the alst Ohio gallanil
10 capturing and bringing of the field rife
4, gun made in Liverpool Biskeley pa
If ent heard slso that three other gus
u were captured in this charge, or rather g
v Ties Of charges, bnt have only been alb
to verify hearing by sight in the case
this one. DIring this attack hoth aide
maintained q fuTiOU are Of shells, graI
and canister, the Feb gunneTs eVidsail
q being skillful hands in the management
- their pieces. Oar loss was rather lars
"a here, especially in the 9lst and l2th, Coll
,0 mel Turley Of the former hsAing his righ
4 thigh fractured.
By the time eur men were safely poste
and rested from their arduous three hour
work, the moon had long been shining an
N the thick darkness Of the woods in from
I'd and the unknown character Of the groun
forbade any further operations for th
night. By this time the three bFigsdes {
a Crook 8 division being enoamped in line
10 battle, in the advance, we're relieved
NJ the first division, and the men camped an
at passed the night quietly enough, save Of
a casional shots, ss some inoSutious man {
at either party exposed himself 10 openly.
N Although but two regiments Of our CON
q mand, the 18th and 9lst Ohio had been eE
t. gagged to any great extent the fghtin
he this Hrst day was remarkable, bath for tn
~ rapidity of firing and the steady pers'
tn Verenoe Of our men. 1t was eonfdentl
id believed that had we arrived but G fe'
= hours earlier We would have driven th
III enemy through LynohburR that night. A
ar il Was We were compelled TO halt an
IN during the whole night the lo0Omotiv
ar whistle told us Of the rapid srFiEement {
IN heavy reinforcements that were gFeete
lie with continual cheers ,.ef welcome BY II