Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-08-03
WHOLE NO. 24s6

| AASAsJ PSEAaP9s ASfo Sa4tAS3
, the works before US. The enemy wers
already half cowed. But we were asenY-
ca No command could be heard beyond
: few feet. The roar of musketry was In
cessant. A cloud of smoke rising from
the discharged guns obscured the sun.
and enyeloped US in darkness-tGs ts7ri5ss
night Of battle, such as we had seen befores
but such only as soldiers can comprehend.
At this juncture General Harker rode
along the lines shouting to the men to
charge. But it was in vain. The ground
was already streEn with the dead and
dying, and the men were fast losing heart.
Many were willing enough ia attempt to
| proceed, but each seemed to doubt the
other, and no one would advance more
than few feet without again dropping
on the ground. General Harker now
rode through the ranks swinging his hat,
and urging the men by every inducemsnt
to push forward. A score or more of
brave hearts accustomed to obey their
loved commander at every hazzard,
sprang to their feet. The colors of the
9th III. were planted on the rebel para
pet. The Sd KY. color Sergeant dashed
boldly forward; and several others strug
gled through the dense abattis. But Is
all only served more fully to show how
fruitless must be every attempt. Gener-
al Harker fell from his horse and was
borne from the field mortslly wounded.
The 9th Illinois color bearer was
pierced by half a dozen balls,
andAis colors fell inside the reb-
Ell works. The Sd KY. color bearer
was mortally wounded, and his flag was
taken up by Benjamin Porter, of the
l25th, and carried through the rest of
the fight. Every man who attempted TO
scale the rebel works was either killed CO
wounded. Our own brave Lieut.. Oily
fell in advance of his company within
three rods of the nemy's works, shot
through the head.
l can find no more appropriate place
than this to speak of his noble qualities.
Brave to a fault, he seemed TO fear no
danger; generous and kind on all occa-
sions and under all circumstances, none
knew but to love him. Though he may
not stand 50 high on the catalogue Of
fame as many who have fallen in this
most unholy war, yet among the pure
spirits of a nobler cline, he will be well
coined to a seatnear TO the eternal throne.
The enemy beginning to obtain an en-
filading fire from our right, We were now
forced slowly to fall back. Wewithdrew
however, withoutconfusion, halting when
we had reached the rayine, and defying
the enemy to leave his works and meet
us on open ground. Not rebel dare
venture to follow. The I25th being the
first to charge the rebel works, was the
last to give them up. We occupied his
rifle pits half an hour after the column
had Withdrawn and until relieved By fresh
troops. We carried with US most Of our
dead and wounded, a few who fell on the
very slope of the enemy's works, we
were unable to get. In this condition
was Lieut.. Burnhsm of Kinsman, wound
ed in the thigh. After he was SO badly
hurt as to be almost helpless, he was made
target for rebel sharp-shooters and was
shot no less than four times before he
could drag himself out of range.
Our entire loss during the engagement
amounted to one officer killed and thirty
two men wounded. Lieut.. Evans of Ra-
VIENNA, severely wounded in the thigh.
has since died of his wounds. At last &C.
counts Capt. Elmer Moses, and Lieut.
Burnham were doing well but their re-
eovery is yet quite uncertain. Both of
the above named are noble officers, and
we miss them greatly in the regiment.
Capt. Moses lat the time sergeanE in
the 4lst o. ", twas wounded at the battle
of Shiloh. His experience and courage
has been of great benefit to the l25th.
We feel under obligation tohim, and deep.
ly regret that he will probably never
\ again be able to be with US. Cassius
Coates, of Mecca, has suffered amputation
of his left arm, and is getting on finely.
P. Welch and Avery Harwood of Farm
ington, Howard Bascom of Greene, George
and Sylvester Waterman of Mecca, and
A. Hager of Brookfeld are all doing well.
We are pleased to hear that all our wound
ed are now receiving good treatment at
the rear.
| We expect to make another advance
tomorrow. Our ranks are greatly deple-
ted. The excessive hot weather is tell
ing upon those who are left. We do not
shoulder as many muskets, nor is the
step of our brave boys as elastic as form
erly. But our courage is no way impair
ed. Love of country burns as bright in
every heart, and our cause is none the
less sacred because it is costing Us dearly
Respectfully,
CEYLON.