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

That made the woods ring, our boys fcl
upon them and played right merrily TO
a time. The rout once commenced
was followed closely, and more gran,
or thrilling sight | never saw. Imag
inc full 5000 men, all mounted and arm
ed to the teeth, with drawn sabres
charging at full speed the hated foe in
front. do not wonder Vaughn's pet,
became sadly demoralized and fled Il
the woods i'll confusion, leaving us in
full possession Of I pieces of artillery
ard many prisoners. A strange sigh
1T was to see at least two-thirds of the
prisoners with their heads more or less
damaged by the sabres of the Yankees.
'The last piece of artillery was left in tho
road, mile from Wythcville, a very
lretty little village of about 500 inhab,
itants. We halted the advance hal
mile from town, and forming the two
Brigades in line of battle, we charged
the place with shout; and itwas spor,
to see the few remaining ends OF
Vaughn's Brigade and the Home
Guards shell out Of the other side oi
town, leaving all the women, children
and property to the mercy of those
miserable Yankees" as they invaria-
bly, teach their children to call u.s.
Business was now just commencing.
The llth Mich. Cavalry was sent down
the rail road 10 miles further to Max
Meadow Station, destroying the rail
road, telegraph lines and rolling stock,
and also an extensive Arsenal contain
ing a large amount of fused ammuni-
ton for cannon, and small arms. Mean
time the balance of the Brigade was not
idle. Col. Brown appeared to be eye-
rywhere at once. The large depot and
all the rolling stock were soon in flames,
and the work of destroying the large
amount of ammunition, Government
stores, wagons, cassions and medical
supplies that were found in the town of
Wythevillc was pushed rapidly forward.
AT this place additional pieces of ar
tillery and cassions full of fused am
munition fell into our hands. At mid.
night, having completed our job, the ar
senal, Gen. Breckenridge's Head dquar-
ters, depot, quarter-master's and COM
missary buildings filled with Stores be-
longing to the rebs, were fired, and we
mounted our tired horses and badefare-
well to Wythcville. The fire soon reach
ed the ammunition, and the discharge
of the shells, like corn-poping on an ex-
tensive scale, filled the air with their
loud reports. This added to the grand
illumination caused by the burning
buildings, and could be seen for miles,
and must have been gratifying to Jeff.'s
minions who lived in the vicinity. We
now wended our way to a bridge about
four miles from town, towards Marion,
and halted to feed and await the re-
turn of the llth Mich. Cavalry. They
arrived about a. m, and Mt early day.
break we were again in the saddle, and
marched to rejoin the command. We
had moved about ten miles, destroying
the bridges in our rear and the forage
near the road, when an Aid from Gen.
Burbridgc called the st Brigade to the
front, and passing the balance of the
command OH steady trot, we started
in pursuit of Col. Wichcr's rebel Cav
airy, which, together with the remain
der of Breck's command, had come out
from their stronghold at Saltville, with
the avowed intention of devouring our
little band at mouthful-but alas for
human hopes and anticipations. Bob
counted his chickens too soon. About
m hour before sunset we saw their first
Inc of battle on the hills in front, and
Immediately Lt.-Col. Boyle of the III tn
Ky. Cavalry, with 80 men Of his Re gi-
nent and two squadrons of the IIth
Mich, charged in column of fours down
.he road, and in a moment the Johnnies
falling back in rear of their
main force OF about 5000 men, posted
with artillery in a very advantageous
Dositi on on the bank OF Slaty Greek. -
Dur advance moved forward at gal
op, and charged with drawn sabres
lown a hill across the bridge; here
meeting avery heavy fire from the en-
,my's rifle men pasted in front and on
10Th fianks and protected by rail barri.
'ades, they were compelled to retire,
which was done in good order, the Brig
ide forming on the crest OF hill, dis.
mounted and in line of battle. 1t was
low growing dark and dispositions
we're made accordingly. First, howev-
II, our guns having arrived were pla-
ed in position, aud the storm of shot,
hell and shrapnell from their iron
hroats served as Il quieter on any an
icipated charge which might have been
and caused the main force of
he enemy to get out of sight suddenly
ehind a hill. This night was spent in
nxicus watching. Rain commenced
llling about midnight, and as no fires
ould be lighted we suffered from tho
fleets of the cold rain. Atthc dawn of
ay there was every sign ola desperate
ght, Gillem's Brigade was sent to at
lck the enemy's left flank, while the Ist
nd Sd Brigades were to stand the blunt
f the coming battle. 1920 to 5000
yere unequal odds--but we hesitated |
OF, and the dance soon commenced
nd continued with great obstinacy, but
18th little or no success on either side,
ntil night again compelled us to cease.
,nring the afternoon charge after
hargc was made on our center by the
nemy, but all were repulscd with slaugh-
,r, and night-fall found us still in the
inc position we occupied at daylight.
illein's brigade returned at this time
OF having seen the enemy, aud the loud II
hccr they gave OH their arrival told the =
neny plainly that we were reinforced.
.nothdr dark rainy night was passedln
'atching, and at q. M our advance
lartcd IN pursuit-of the enemy, who, i
earring Gillem'smefi shout, and Col. |,