Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1864-08-04

eSliug W your pau JUS, ihoa-J VI
have friends and relatives in the 4th
Va. Infty. herewith subjoin one
the source of which is perfectly reli-
able. -
was not a participant t,
will commence by stating the
order of crossing the Shenandoah
river at Smokers Ford, distant from
Smokers Gap'one mile and q half
and about one mile below the cross
ing on the Turnpike.
The 1st Briga'e e under Col Wells
in the advance followed by tbs End
Brigade under Col Thoburn and the
3rd Brig, under Col. Frost. The
whole commanded by Col Thoburn
crossed at 8 o clock P. NJ. Skirmish-
ers were Immediately thrown out to
the front and the Div, formed as
follows 1st Brigade on the left, 3rd
Brigade, in the centre and the 2nd
Brigade. on the right In this po-
sition they lay for nearly an hour
without any show OF hostility and
indeed without scarcely any indica-
lion of the enemy in our front. Up
to this time, not shot was fired
But now it was discovered that the
enemy were massing on our right
The 4th Va, Infty. was ordered on
the double quick to the extreme
right and formed near the crest of a
small ridge runni: g parallel with
the river. Still further to the right
and little in advance of the 4th Va.
was placed strong body. Of D is
mounted Cavalry as skirmishers and
for the protection OF the right flank
of the line of battle. Whilst the 4th
Va. Infty., were forming. the enemy
were seen in strong force moving to
the right and into q dense woods
They here threw out into the skirt
ofthe woods and in full view, small
line in order to make show OF
charging us, whilst the main body
of the enemy passed on under cover
of the woods until they got entirely
clear of our line and within three
hundred yards OF the Charlestown
road which runs parallel with the
river and along which our line ex-
tended. They then fled out of the
woods and marched directly toward
the river bank. The dismounted
cavalry, which were placed on our
right to protect our flank, seeing the
enemy bearing down upon them in
such heavy force, fell back without
firing a shot. Col ). L, Vance of
the 4th Va Infty Immediately then
took two companies to the right to
protect our fianX thus left wholly ex-
posed. But the enemy availing
themselves of the advantage thus
gained had already taken position
behind a stone fence running at
right angles with our line From
this point the poured upon us q
terrible enflading fire Simultaneous
lv a CALLING fire was opened on us in
/ front. Here 1t C. W Scott was
killed, loss severely felt by all
/ He was an efficient officer and per
J feet gentleman. His relatives and
I friends at home have the sympathy
Of the en.ire regiment. Here also
Capt w. s Hall & Capt G. A Shep-
pard ard 1t NJ. Christopher were
wounded, indeed here it was that all
our loss occurred.
This situation however was moi
to be endured Col Vance seeing
there was no other alternative, gave
the command to fall back, whereup-
on they fell back in some haste to q
stone fence some fifty yards in our
rear and immediately upon the riv er
bank. The whole line, as well upon
the left as upon the right fell back
to the river bank. A great many
especially Dismounted Cavalry, rush
ed into the river and have learned
many were drowned Atthe stone
] fence on the bank of the river Col.
Vance rallied the 4th Va and 9th
ers and formed line, the advance of
the enemy was now checked and
driven back, that hody on our right
however, continued their flank move
ment until it was discovered they
were in the road and on the bank OF
the river. At this movement the
1l6th Ohio V. Infty., Commanded
bv Col. Washburn came to our as,
sistance and whilst moving to the
ripbt its noble commander fell prob
ably mortally wounded. But the
men drove the rebels off the road
and. took up position. And here
let me i'm praise ofthe 10th say that
letter soldiers are no where to be
found. We maintained our position
at the fence until dark and then un
der imperative orders recrossed the
river bringing ALI off safely. We
could have held the position all night
aud Col. Yauce requested it but it
was denied him.
During the time we lay along the
fence the eneEy made repeated
charges upon us and each time were
handsomely repnlsed. They did not
once attempt swooping charge of
their whole line else they must have
taken us. But they char
ged first st one point and then at an
other. We were compelled when
the enemy charged on our right to
take men from the left to. strength
Ell the right and thus the men we're
kept continually changing from point