Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-10-13
LIZ TIE TRENCHES, NEAR

.7. -ChAEklN HARMs OcJ. 0Lnj 1904. J
EDIroRs LEADER Thinking that YOU
would be glad to hear from the 9Th q, s
G. T., and of your friends therein, l will
endeaYor to give you a brief account oi
our present whereabouts, and what we have
done of late.
On the morning Of the 29th of Septem-
Der, we set out from Deep Bottom to at
tack the enemy. The attacking party was
disposed in the following manner The
10th A. @. and the Sd Division (colored, J
of the 18th Corps, moved to the right to-
wards the New Market road. The white
troops Of the 18th Corps crossed at Aiken's
Landing and made the attack on Chafin 8
Farm. As the 5th Regiment was with the
right column, we know but the result on
the left.
Oar division advanced in "column by
division through shower of shells and
"minnies" We drove in their pickets.-
Our work was but Just commenced. We
we're separated from the rebels by a thick,
tangled mass of bTiers, weeds, and bushes.
Col. Shurtleff was the fir t officer We un-
ded, receiving a minnie ball through the
arm. Not dishesrtened nor willing to 90
10 the rear unless it became absolutely nee
essary, ne urged the boys on, to be steady
and firm.
While speaking of our Lieutenant Colo
mel, allow me to say braver officer or a
better man cannot be furnished than Lieut..
Col. Giles W. Shurtleff.
Captains Cock, Marvin and Fahrion,
fell, wounded, about this time. Men we're
dropping on either hand.
About the time we were entering the
tangled mass which interviewed between us
and the Johnnies, Col. Shurtlef received
another wound in the thigh, which compel
led him TO give up all hope of enjoying
with US the victory SO near at hand.
The boys rushed on, determined to av-
enge the death of their comrades. The
brigade on our left wayered for an instant.
1t looked as though mortal could advance
no further but the brigade, consisting of
the 9Th, 36th and 3sth colored regiments,
kept steadily on, and the Hrst men to scale
the works we're some of Ohio's colored
boys-the 9TH Regiment. The division
advanced, capturing some prisoers, long
line of breast works and four gun battery
on New Market hill
1t was hard for the "pooF deluded breth-
eTen Of the South to be compelled to sub
NIT 10 an "inferior race Of men. Contra
ry to the expectations of the Johnies, and
the hopes Of their Northern friends, "nig-
gers will tight"
Alter resting few moments, and al
lowing the 10th corps TO pass, the order was
again given forloaTd, and every man, eager
to complete Il york so nobly begun, was
ready in moment.
The loss to the 5th in this engagement
was one Lieutenant Colonel, four Cap
tains, and one Lieutenant wounded, and
shout one hundred and thirty men out of
five hundred and thirty, killed or wound
cd.
The solid abot and shell soon gave proof
that the Johnnies were ready for Us in Il
new position, but every heart reioiced as
Grant passed by. After march
ing and countermarching for some time,
through the woods, we again pressed on
to Richmond.
When we reached JIUe mile church we
Were ordered to support white brigade Uf
the 10th corps. We were drawn up in
line of battle and for moment had time
to see what was before US. A mile and a
half in front was a heavy line of fortifca-
bions, the second from Richmond, and only
one from that hole detestable TO every
Union man The intervening space was
covered with thick slashing, and cut by
.hree ravines.
& On at q double quick we started. When
We had reached about one hundred and
fifty yards from the rebels, the white brig
ade broke and destroyed our line. -Four
forts, and every gun the rebels could get
to bear upon US, were pouring in the grape,
canister and bullets
Passing on We came TO the raVine which
separated us from the Johnnies-only
hundred yards. We saw there was no one
to assist US, and the regiment was decreas-
ing rapidly. All acknowledge it to be the
most severe fire they were ever called upon
10 endure.
We reached our starting out place with
our Major, two Captains, three Lieutenant,
the Adjutant and about one hundred and
forty men. The rebels advanced and oc-
cupied the ground, gaining possession of
all the dead and many of the wounded,
Viers among the number. 1t
was a severe charge. We wers sadly cut
up but not man deSsorGLized.
We hear that Lieutenant Colonel Shurt-
lef7s wound is improving. We hope to
have him with US soon as the duties are
too severe in the regiment for one field
officer.
Major Terry from NorwaTk is in com
mand of the eegiment. He is brave, eff
cient officer. Ere long we hope to see him
get what he deserves, a silver leaf on his
shoulder. I was not wounded, nor yet
have any mark to show
Very truly, yours,
E. G. FORD.