Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1864-10-27

early IN the morning as relnf0rcements had
been surrounded and after bloody resis-
lance had been taken prisoners, though all
who witnessed the fight agree that hal not
Col. Campbell raised the white flag OH the
fort just when he did that they would have
succeeded in cutting their way to the fort
through all opposition. These two regi.
msuts are both in the same Brigade with
US.
The next morning, Sunday. Sept. 25th.
heavy cannonading was again heard in the
direction of Athens, which lasted until
near noon. Ii proved to he at Sulphur
Trcstle Work. eight miles north of Athens.
Here Forest met with more stu bborn re-
sisrance than be did at Athens, and lost
quite q number oil his men, but succeeded
in capturing another negro regiment and
portion OF the 81 Tenn. Cavalry, and al
60 burned the trestle work. From this he
passed. on noIthward burning bridges, tear.
ing mp the railroad and capturing small
squads OF our men, until he reached Pu-
iaski. at which place our forces had col
lected In sufficient numbers to meet and
defeat him, which put sudden stop to his
career.
On Tuesday the 9th. we started on an
expedition to Moulton, % miles south OF
Decatur. with the remaining portions Of
the 18th Mich. and 1921 Ohio, and about
400 cavalry. including two companies of
the 18th Ind. and also two pieces of artl-
lery. What the expedition was expected
to accomplish, have never teen able to
learn. Suffice it to say that We arrived at
Flint river. IL miles from Decatur, late in
the evening, and after resting a short time
were turned back in the direction of Deca
tur. Night soon set in and q heavy rain
commenced falling. our tramp back to De.
catur. including all the nps and downs. es-
pecialiy the downs. battles all attempts at
description. We reached camp about IL
o'clock at night. soaking wet. and feeling
as though onr situation was any thing bot
enviable. We could get neither shelter nor
fire, and were compelled TO spread our
blankets on the we; ground. where we slept
as well as the nature OF the case would adj
init.
Late in the afternoon Of the 2Slh we re-
ceivcd orders TO proceed to Athens. take
possession of it and hold IT, We accor-
dinghy took the train from Decatur after
lark. and on arriving within two miles Of
the place laid still until lay-dawn. when
we moved into town aud took possession
of the fort, 6n,ling it entirely deserted by
the rebels. who hal burned every thing a.
bout it that they Thought could he male
available To us. Before we cuuld get our
ieats mp or our Scanty breakfast, for we
were OH quarter atoms, we were drenched
10y another stalking rain BIT we at length
succeeded IN liking up temporary shelter
Tor the time being The next day. Both,
we received intelligence that Huntsville had
oeen attacked. but with what result We
could not learn The next morning. Oct
1t. a detachment OF cavalry was cent in
direction of the latter place TO learn the
particulars. it possible. anil feel for the
enemy. They had proc,e.lel about fifteen
miles when they encountered la &c rebel
fo'c' under Buioul aud Wheele-. There
being hut a mere handful of our cavalry
they hal TO TALL tack. The rebels pursued
them AMI a bIi>k skrmish was kept up the
whole distance. Our cavalry reached
camp abont 2 o'clock, p. m. the long roll
was heat. and in five minutes every man
was at his post. The cavalry di,mounte,l
and formed a heavy skirmish line. Our
regiment took its position in the fort. at
least four companies Ofthem did.-compa-
MES u. Y, X and T. were not here at the
time. AT this iuncture there came mp as
heavy a laia storm as ever witnessed
But this did not stop the proceedings y
brisk fight was kept up until dark. with
ont any advantage being gained upon eth
sile. At dark our company was thrown
out upon the skirmish line AMI the cavalry
relieved. With the exception of few
shots all was quiet through the night. but
a keen listener could detect the sounl Of
moving artillery. and we were Satisfied
that the enemy were getting their artillery
in position through the night At day
light Sunday morning Co. c. was deploy-
ed as skirmishers in the direction that one
of their batteries was supposed to be pla-
ced. They had proceeded but short dis
lance when they encountered tho enemy's
>kir,aishers. when a rapid mu>ket freing
ensued. One piece Of our artillery opened
on them now for the first time during The
fight. This brought forth a reply from
the rebel guns. and their position was dis.
covered. Both of our guns now turned
upon them and the cannonading was rapid
from that time until | o'clock The first
shot fred by the rebels passed just above
the fort. but they SION began to get better
range. and their shells began to strike in
siie the parapet. The garrison were or
dered into bomb proof that had been
hastily constructed, ard TO this quite
number Of US. have no doubt, owe our
safety. We had scarcely changed our po-
-iiion when three shells struck and tore up
the earth exactly where our Co. had been
lying. and had we not changed our posi-
ton inst when we did some of us, perhaps
a good many. wonlG have been killed -
The fight thus continued until ii o'clock,
the rebels being very careful to keep shell
tered from the rifles at the fort. Only
those who could post themselves behind
trees. stumps. &c. ventured to fire at the
fort. In the heat of the action one Of their
shells struck our flag that was planted up
on the parapet aud tore it into shreds. AT
l i o'clock they sent in flag of truce and
demanded a surrender of the fort, but
Lieut. Col. Wade gave them to under
stand that he could not see it in that ligh'.