The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1865-02-07

MASON, llth Mich. Cavalry, a brother
OF the lamented Lt.-Col. j. B. Mason,
who was killed Oct. 4th at Sandy Mt,
and End Lieut.. BENJAMIN +. DAVIS, 1 | tn
Mich. Cavalry, all of whom were prom
ising young officers. They had just
been promoted to the positions they oc.
cupied, and filed them with ability.-
Their loss will be mourned by the
many comrades they left behind. / left
the troops at Seven Mile Ford, where
they remained but a short time to feed.
AT II o'clock p. m, the moon being up,
we started for Saltville. Theroads were
very muddy and our horses were get
ting tired, as were also the men. But
a man never knows how much he can
endure until pressed toit. We had now
an opportunity to wrcak vengeance on
this place, which many of us had occa-
sion to remember. We did not halt un-
til our advance was in front Of the for
tifications, having previously driven in
the enemy's piokets. We at once made
disposition Of the troops at hand for our
attack, and when everything was ready
awaited the arrival of Gillem on our
left, he having taken another road
About l o'clock shells thrown from the
cnemy's cannon to q point of woods on
our left, showed us pl ainly that Gillcm
was at hand, and soon after shot from
one of Gillem's guns only confirmed the
news. Our lines were advanced up the
steep hills to within easy musket range
of the Notifications, and by this time it
was growing dark, 1.-The enemy show
ed evident signs of weakness and dis
couragement, but the tired condition of
both men and horses caused our move
ments to be rather slow and knowing
these works were within our grasp, our
thoughtful commander allowed us to
cook supper, feed our horses and rest
until near midnight, which was pleas
ing to all. Our old friend rain COM
menced falling about this time, land soon
came news that the enemy had fed in
the darkness, abandoning everything to
us. We all forgot our WEAKNESS and
thelrain, and mounting, made good time
within the noted place, " Saltville,"
which, by the way, needs passing re-
mark. The town, which amounts to
but little in point of size, is situated
within close amphitheatre of hills in
Rich Valley. These hills are very high
and the sides rocky and often very alb
rupt. On them are located numeous
forts, and below, on either side of the
valley, are two casemated works. We
found IL pieces of artillery in these
which had been abandoned by the reb-
al. A tI -
commenced. Our boys seemed to for
get they were tired, and all worked
with will. Over 5000 large salt boil
ers were destroyed by being broken in
pieces, and immense quantities of the
finest salt was thrown into the River,
making the water unfit to drink mile |
below. The Rail Road depot, several
trains of cars and locomotives were
burned, as was also the buildings COW
ering the furnace. Long lines of wood
en- pipes which were used to conduct
the brine from the wells to the furnace |
were cut and destroyed. There were
five salt wells, four Al inches in dame
ter, one inches. These are the only |
places where salt can be obtained, as
several wells have been bored in the vi
cinity, but the brine could not be found.
These works were capable of making
2,4oo bushels of salt daily, but the av-
erage amount made was 1000 daily
There were l,200 inhabitants living
about these works. We filed the wells
with shot and shell, and burned all but
three buildings; so you can form some
idea of the completeness of the Job
We remained in Saltville during the
2lst, and our rear left about noon of
the 22nd having accomplished more
than the most sanguine had anticipated;
summing it all up, it amounted to the
complete cleaning out of the depot of
West Virginia and East Tennessee, un-
dor command of Breckenridge, defend
cd by about 5000 men and all this
with but slight loss to us in point of
We turned our faces home
ward via Pound Gap, Gillem's com,
mand going by way of Rogcrsville to
Knoxville. We had now a march of at I
least $50 miles through rough, barren {
country before .us.and innumerable I
creeks and rivers to ford. As might be {
our horses were worn down,
and many had to be abandoned. We I
only had what little we found on the 1
route to live upon, anda number of the I
men were nearly barefoot; and under {
these circumstances our progress must
naturally be slow. Besides, we had ;
been on the sacred soil long enough for |
The enemy to bring troops from the $
Shenandoah Valley TO oppose us. And
low that the excitement as ovcr,r on
y the fact of our overwhelming success, x
md that we were en- route for Kentucky
ouoyed usup. The task was great :
'ne but the unfiinchng spirit of our ;.
ncn held outin, every instance, and ourl |,
march to Lexington was unattended by :.
my events beyond what might have !
,een expected. An occasional !, bush
yhacker would crack away at our col y =
INN, but beyond ,,wounding one man :
lightly believe no particular damage 3
vas dom, these bushwhackers always Z
Seeping safe distance from our rifles. =
Dn one occasion after crossing Clinch =
River, squad more bold than the ma g 2
GRITTY appeared OIL the opposite bank :;
md fired q number of rounds into our =
lamp without doing us any injury. AN
nan from Co. b., (f the Iith Mich Sc. =
'erely wounded one of them aftor
which they did not disturb us. q caj !.
The weather was severely cold after =
eaving Saltyille, and remained so du- =
ing the balauce ofour trip. einareh- =
'd night and day---not that we feared