Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-11-26

meil ON both sides fought like tigers,
and volley after volley was exchanged,
! the flash Of the gnNs az each was dis
charged, being the only relief to the
sombrc darkness Of the night. The
shouts Of the men engaged could be
| DO heard above the din Of battle, and
| the groans Of the wounded mingled
strangely with the confusion Of the
strife. AS each fresh vollcy would for
a moment light mp the camp with it's
sickcning, death like glare, some com
rade would fall aud o fresh stream Of
| blood crimson the snow. How the men
fought and how they stood ont during
that hour was a marvel even to them
selves, and tho history Of war within all
the tide of time cannot produce more
striking evidence OF bravery and devo-
ton.
/ Hardly had the fash from the first
volley died and the fight actually begun
before they heard the long roll beats
in the camp at Harper's Ferry, and the
struggling men knew that If they could
hold ont for d little while relief would
come. The troops at Harpers Ferry
could see the fash Of every gun and
hear the crack of every dealing carbine.
There was no relief there except infan-
try, and it was two miles, SO there was
for whole honr aud more the conflicts
ing emotions OF hope and fear MS to the
fate of the courageous little band OF
veterans on the mountain. The Thir-
, ty-fearth Massachusetts was ordered to
the rescue on q ''donble quick" as soon
az it could be ordered into line. But
, before it could reach the summit OF
Loudon heights the Confederates had
/ been repulsed and Coles cavalry had
: won the fight upon the snow-clad noun
tain top that aided much 10 the name
and fame it had already gained.
) AFTER TIE BATTLE.
81 When night lifted aud day dawned
, upon that battle field there was scene
) which can never be described. The dead
lay upon the ground frozen stiff by the
terrible cold. The severely wounded
l complained bitterly of the frost, and
+. the bnllet-pierced tents Of the men that
Q did the fighting were full of weary,
t powder-stained veterans suffering sorely
a from the effects of frozen feet, of which
i they were unmindful until the battle
> was won. Seven COnfederates, four OF
: them commissioned officers, we're killed
n in this night attack upon Major Coles
{ camp, and great many more were
# wounded, some Of them were carried oil
}, by their comrades. Indeed, those that
3 were able to follow the retreat declared
e that their path was literally marked By
/ the trace of blood Maj. Cole lost two
b killed and thirteen wounded. Capt
II Fernon, now surveyor OF customs al
e Baltimore, lost an eye, and Lient. Riv
: ers was wounded. A large number Of
q the command were sent to the hospita
It with frozen feet, and two amputations
r were necessary. The suffering Of thest
? brave men did not stop with the battle
y Gen. Sullivan, who was in command
70 OF the district, rode over from. Harper
l. Ferry after daylight, accompanied by
n his staff He had the men drawn mp il
line, and eulogized their conduct in thu
strongest terms that words could Elk
rs press. He called the department. com
IS mander's attention to the gallant con
d duct Of this handful of men, requesting
d that his report of the fight be transmit
g ted to the cominander-in-chief. Gen
o Kelley, in complying with Gen. 'Sulli
n vans request, Endorsed upon the report
y. II cheerfally comply with the reques
le of Gen. Sullivan in calling the attention
g of the general-in-chief to the gallar
l. conduct Of Major Henry A. Cole aud hi
ir brave command. His repulse Of tn
ID murderous attack made by an over
sr whelming force at o'clock in darl
Y. morning evinced a watchfulness am
W bravery most commendable."
IN THE GENERALS PRAISE.
h The following cotnmendatory orde
lg was at once issued by the general-in
n chief:
" HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
vi WASHINGTON, u. c., January 20, 1864.
,y Major Gen, Z. +. KELLY, Cumberland, Md:
r. General have just received fron
your head quartars Maj. Henry A. Cole
:, report of Mosbys attack upon the cam
on Loudon heights on the 10th inst
y, Major Cole and his command, the hat
;, tallion of ?. II. y. cavalry, Marylan
;, volunteers, deserve high praise for thei
~ gailantry in repelling this rebel assault
Vary rcsnpc fully yonr obeuieut servant