Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-06-01
From the ra5th Ohio Regiment.

]
EDS. CHRoNICLE:-I am aware how anx-
iously those at home await news from alb
sent ones in the army, and therefore |
send you the following passages from re-
cent letters received from Lieut.. A. c.
Dilley, Company c., l25th o. V. |. Aud
yet what is it to receive news from a dear
but the waking of a deeper desire
to hear again; the opening wider OF the
lips of prayer for the imperiled one! We
must all bear hearts schooled to hear the
worst tidings, for to many of US, how soon
must such tidings come! Mrs. II. A. B.
R~ockY-FAcED RIDGE, Ga,
May llth, 1864.
DEAR SISTER AND FRIENDs:-We moved
out from Cleveland, Tenn, the Sd inst,
camped that night within Is miles of
Dalton, Ga, corps headquarters being at
Catoosa Springs, 3 miles from Rim ggold
Our divson, 1.-THE 4th) moved to the
right, and camped on a ridge, the name
of which | do not know; our right con
Meeting with the 18th, our left with the
ODD corps. Here We remained certifying
till the 9th. On the night of the 9th, 4
went on picket. On the morning of the
9TH, our picket line was advanced until
We drove in the rebel pickets and pushed
the rebels off Tunnel Hill, where we
camped that night. At dawning of the
Sth, we moved out-the l25th in ad-
vance. After accommodating at the head
of the valley, between the ridges they oc
cupy, it was decided to attack the steep
ridge on the right. Col. Harker, who
never before said cant" said hat ridge
could not be assembled, ESQ | hear, but
Col. Opdycke said the l25th could go it.
and advanced US alone up the mountain
side, (which in places was almost perpen-
dicular, to a hight of 600 feet. We found
them unprepared at that point, as they
had not considered that we all are borne
on eagle wings in our patriotic mission,
and thinking inaccessible meant inacces
sible 10 American soldiers as to the rest
of mankind, they were quite at ease
We captured one sentinel who was so en-
gagged watching our movements in the
valley as not TO have observed us passing
upward. We won the crest, which was
only a few feet wide. Moving along this
q few hundred yards, we came on their
works, Cos E, F, and l, being deployed
with c, as reserve. Lieut.. Phillips and
myself being with |, made an effort to
drive them from their works by throwing
ourselves on their left flank, where we suf-
fered considerably, losing , killed,
wounded, and one missing. Capt. Bates
brought C, upon the crest, delivering a
few v%olleys, which did not half avenge
their loss, Eli Swineheart meeting his
death, and six other noble soldiers wound.
ed. We moved up within a few feet oI
their works, taking shelter among rocks.
where shots were given as either party
showed their heads. The rebels were be
hind a stone wall which was pierced FOL
their muskets. They also sent stones
over with their hands to save their am,
munition and dislodge Us; and thus wore
away the afternoon of Sunday: we reading
sermons in stones" and sending oul
prayers on bullet wings; the great teach.
er, Eternal Truth, bidding US faint not in
our good work of battling wrong foI
rights sake. In the evening we were re-
lieved and fell back a short distance and
rested that night. Oar regiment On that
occasion lost "a killed and wounded
That night two pieces of artillery were
brought up by hand and timber cut away
so that they could be used. Ia the morn.
ing we found their first line evacuated
Again we were moved up, deployed a,
support for the 9th H., and lay under
FIRE until 5 P. NJ. Here Leonard Curt,
; was wounded; not seriously | think. Al
5 o'clock, a part of our brigade charged
the works, but mostly owing to Genera.
: Wagner not moving upon their flank, wt
were repulsed. The crest being wide
) enough for only II men abreast. and III
A sides nearly perpendicular. made q dread
A
, ful place to charge upon a full garrison
protected by works. Co. | lost 2 killed
6 wounded, and one missing; Co. c haC
4 wounded. During both days our regi
p ment lost in all about 50 men. Our brig
ade loss / do not know. Col. McElhane
of the Gath Ohio, killed; Col. Buckner
18th H., dangerously wounded; Lit. Col
Bullet, Sd KY. mortally wounded; Maj
of 9th ILL.,, wounded; 1t. Col. Moore
l25th Ohio, in breast, slightly.
On the Sth, while lying under fire oil
the crest, l saw the 23d corps advance OIL
the enemies works on the next hill to on
left. They were checked by heavy artil
lery fire, and on the 9th, fell back
While | write, the pickets a short dis
lance in advance, are skirmishing, ant
our artillery within FIVE rods of me i
: Smelling the foe at short range w
: Ljudge the enemy to be In strong fore
t mere, well fortified and intent on a fight
but our army is in good condition, ha
plenty of r%ations, and | think there is
movement going On at our right that vii
give us an advantage.
= Fondly | am brother. son and friend.
; A. C. d.
IN CAMP NEAR KINGSTON, GA,
Mon OntA 1874