Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-08-17
From the lam Ohio battery.

SSdtC 0celTcS II.
From the I4th Ohio Battery.
CAMP OF THE l4TH OHIO BATTERY,
Two MILES NORTH WEST OF ALLAN
ia, Ang, 4, 1864.
Eds. Uronicle:-Since my last letter t.
you our Battery has been in one of tn,
severest battles that has been fought
during the campaign. On the morning
of the 22d of July, the enemy attacked
the left of our lines, with the object o
capturing our baggage trains and cutting
off our supplies. Thinking it would be
an easy job for them, as they supposed
there was nothing but cavalry in front Of
them. Our lines were hardly formed, oul
corps, the 10th, joining the 18th, had
hardly time to form in line of battle be-
fore the rebels advanced three lines
deep, with perfect confidence, thinking
to gain an easy victory, but they were
somewhat surprised to find a solid line OF
union muskets to oppose them. Our bat.
terry was in position, waiting for the com.
mand to open on them. We were in the
I'd Division, commanded by General
Sweeney. The 6lst Ohio Infantry, sup
ported our battery on the left; on the
right of US was the 39th and 9th . In
fantry. The day was intensely hot; we
were in an open field, without works of
any kind; the sun poured down on US
and seemed as if it would bake US. Our
boys opened on the advancing rebels
with shell, and caused large gaps in their
ranks, which in moment would be fill
ed up again. Our infantry poured volley
after volley in to them, causing them to
stagger, but still they come. We pile
their dead around them, they try to
charge our battery, but are met with .
shower of canister. Our boys fight like
heroes; some of them become exhausted
with the heat. Ourguns are burning hot,
but still we pour the shell and canister
in to their ranks, every shot tells with
awful effect: they fight with desperation
and chaLge again, and again. We slaught
er them as they come up, and drive them
back in confusion. They do not attempt
it again. The General, compliments our
battery, and says he will remember us in
his official report. Never did men fight
better. They stood by their guns, till
they became exhausted, and then others
would take their places. Too much
praise cannot be given to our officers;
they nobly did their duty particularly
Lieut.. Laird, who commands the battery
in absence of u Captain, who left US
a short time ago, sick. He rode his horse
the hottest of the fight, directing
the boys where 10 shoot to the best advan-
The loss in our battery, was TWO
and four wounded. The names
Of the wounded are Corp. A. Cox, Meso
potamia,; p~rivates l.. Jones, Eagleville;
H. Lane, Geneva; W. Reynolds, Mesopo-
Samia. Killed. Corp. Abby Perry, and
Joseph Richards. The loss of
the rebels was very large. In front of
the three corps engaged, alone, our boys
buried three thousand, and over. Gener-
Il Sherman estimates their whole loss at
thousand. Our loss was three
thousand, killed, wounded and missing.
expect TO be in Atlanta by the time
'ou receive this. Sherman says he could
,lacs his headquarters there in two hours !
{ he wanted to, but that is not his plan
ust now. The rebel prisoners that we S
ook on the 22d, say that they wanted to
axe u battery, that they know the s
They have good reason to know {
t, for we have give them fits where ever
have been engaged during the cam :
All the boys that / have ~convers- I
d with all like the nomination of old Abe {
nd johnson. They will get the soldiers
ots in spite of the Copperheads. If =
hey want to show their devotion to the I
outh, now is their time; let them conn e
nd fill up the thinned ranks Of John a
ms army, and not be growing in =
lie North. The South is the place for c
aitors. Our Union boys will be glad C
see them there; it is q fitting place .
r them to end their miserable existence ),
+; Jef Davis is giving them a nut to
ack. I'VE are fighting. he says, not t.
1t for slavery, but for independence or y
l.
How do the peace Copperheads like q
at! The soldiers all say if the loyal =,
sople of the North will do their duty, K
by the administration, give it all oil
aid it wants, in men and means as 10
ey have always done, the rebellion will =
crushed in sixty days. =!
Ny ext will be dated Atlanta.
Three cheers for Old Abe and Andy
'hnson. -
Yours, A Veteran, :,