The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-06-24
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns.
BATTLE OF LEwIsBURG,


familiarity known as OfoOks Iels' why 40
this thus, my comrades2 Capt, George Crook,
of the 9TH regiment, U. S. A. having been pro-
moted to 4 Colonelcy in October, 1861, sue
ceeded Lieut. Col. slommer, of Fort PiclIens
notoriety. in the command of the Both Ohio,
the main portion of which was lying at Sum-
meryille, Nicholas Co.. w. Va, the other at
Camp Piatt, on the Kanawha River, above
Charleston The full regiment was soon to-
gether, going into Winter cantonment at Sum
merville.
During the early Winter months Col Crook
had an immense shed built in the valley just
outside the village limits Here in all kinds Of
weather during the Winter, day after day, did
the Colonel drill the regiment portion of the
day. Another portion was devoted 10 manual
of arms and company drill until at word OF
command the men moved with automatic pre-
cision.
May 10, 1862, by noon, there were encamped
on an elevated plateau Immediately north OF
Lewisburg, GreenbricT Co., w. Va. the 36th
Ohio. Lieut.-Col. Melvin Clark commanding;
oath Ohio, Col. S. A. Gilbert; detachment Of
the 47th Ohio Cthe remaining portion OF this
regiment was at Meadow Bluffs few miles
north; I'd battalion OF the ID Va. Cav, Lieut.
Col Boiler, aud four l2-pound howitzers, under
command of Lieut.. Durbock, of the 47th. These
constituted the Third Provisional Brigade Col.
George Crook, of the 36th, commanding
On the following morning, May is, at a. m,
the infantry, cavalry and artillery, with eX-
ception of small detachments from each COM
mand left in charge OF camps started for Jack
son Station, on the Virginia Central Railroad.
The cavalry went 10 miles beyond the station
and burned a large railroad bridge that spanned
the James River at that point. The brigade
passed through White Sulphur Springs Cow
spufon afc and rafurnql n pamD at Lewis
burg at 5 p. m, May 10, having captured Cap
tain a Surgeon. a Quartcrmaster, a telegraph
operator and IL men; also horses, mules, wag
Ons wheat, -four, bacon, and divers other army
stores TO quite considerable amount. In an
attempt at retaliation for this raid, as sequel,
there was fought, without doubt, one of the
most stubborn y-cOntested engagements result
ing in one Of the most complete and brilliant
victories ever won in Western Virginia.
With these prelimiuaries i turn 10 my diary
G. Meanderings and dOugs of the Both Ohio in
the war of the rebellion y for data relating TO
THE BATTLE OF LEwIsBURG,
OF which but little has been said in written
histories of the war; and which may possibly
be interesting to many Of tie readers CT The
NATIONAL TRgBUNE who participated In that
engagement.
On tic morning of the 23d Of May. 1862, Just
as ] had arisen from my bed the lap OF mother
earth" and crawled from under my dew
shed OF six rails cavalryman rode hurriedly
Up TO where Col. Crook was standing, distant
about two rods from where was standing the
Colonel having also just crawled from under
his "dew-shed"). Upon the cavalryman maxi
ing known his business, the Colonel immedi-
atey stepped 10 where Capt. John Palmer, r.,
lay. and ordered him TO get his company 90
out aud 20 10 Grcenbrier Bridge, four mites
south Of camp, to the support OF our pickets.
Co ID, of the oath, which lay some 400 yards
nearer TO town, was also ordered cut on the
same mission.
Both companies were soon double-quiclsing
along the pike, which, as il passes through the
town, constitutes the main thoroughiare run
ming north aud south. The ridge aud plateau
on which our brigade was encamped commanded
the town from the north, while very similar
ridge commanded ii from the south. The very
pretty little village Of LeWisburg nestled snngly
IN the miic-wido valley intervening. This
south ridge also partially commanded our camp,
forming quite strong position Tor troops
facing north, but an equally poor one for troops
facing south.
Co. y passed south through the town about 100
yards ahead OF q. When within, as near as was
able 10 Judge, about 100 yards OF tue ridge, as
the pike passed through the blun OF the ridge,
90. ID swung into line Oi battle across the pike.
While executing their manuver Co. @ advanced
20 within about 80 yards Of Co. ID. At this
moment two rebel cavalrymen advanced 20 the
summit the pike, wheeled their horses 10
tho south. Erred their carbines ia the air, and
disappeared. The rebels, about $500 in num-
Der under command OF Gen. Heath, came up
with great Tapidity and bodness, having per-
feet knowledge Of the ground and the number,
arms and disposition Of Col Crooks forces
driving IA the picl1ets stationed az GreeubrieI
Bridge, three miles south Of the town, and talk
ing the strong position already spoken Of on
the south ridge. Co ID, in line, advanced q
about 40 aud Co. 10 within about 60 yards OF
the summit, when the rebels made their APP
pearance in battle line on the summit OF the
ridge both east and west Of the pike. Ii ap.
peared 10 me the sight met my gaze at that
moment as though By magic they sprang out
Of the ground Oh which they stood. Co. ID fired
and lay down Co. q being vet In column were
ordered To scatter and lie down also Co. q did
ar bid, some lying down by the fence, some on
the payements, Others again In the middle Of
the street, aud don't believe i ever tried q
occupy les space IN nay life than upon that Oc
casiOn. After lying there few seconds, thai
seemed minutes instead, began 10 look fOr al
opportunity 10 IRE, but found that to put suci
attempt into execution would at least a,
greatly cndanger members Of Co. ID as the rcbs
pulled out my watch 10 see the time M Oh,
rebels Il red their rst v0lcy This vOllev lzillet
one and wounded two Of Co. ID Several Il
90. had their clothing perforated or cut bu
not one, 70 my knowledge, received a scratch
Three bullets struck the earth within hal
arms lenRth Of my lace throwing the dirt int,
my face aud eyes, causing them 70 sting SMART,
witt pain. Looking al my watch j found j
wa boz 8. M. After remaining Ia this position
some moments the enemy ran two cannon 4
The summit on the pike and began 10 unlimber
Mhefenpon both companies were ordered 10 fat
back and take shelter behind the houses an,
hold the enemy in check this they endcavorel
~ do, both companies keeping 10 the west o
the main street or pike il was now that Go (
began 70 get down 10 earnest work. Several q
~ passed behind q large brick h0ute an /
Kitchen 10 which ran parallel 10 the ridge
stopped 10 view the situation through two win
dOws that were Immediately opposite eac.
other in the kitchen. IL was my first oIpol
tunity 10 make such an observation, being m
maiden battle, and Il looked 10 me az that ms
ment Al III the Johnnics were coming over TIA
ridFc aE nnmberless Erasshoppen Ia a stul
bie-held on hot July day While taking /
this sight ball made a call more close tia
pleasant 70 my head. Ny Enfield rife, for som
cause, did not seem ~ perform well its part.
passed on 10 the stable aud went 10 ST dow,
on q wagon tongue while j repaired my riff,
just Is j sat down a ball struck the tongu
knocking II out from under me and causin
me 10 assume a position more ludicrous TIA
graceful The companies were falling back q
N side street toward the center OF the tow
maintaining steady Gre al the while. Ha,
1ng fallen back half square a stubborn star
was made The enemy having been giving OF
camp few shells. now turned upon our lit
baud M the town both shell and grapesho
this, 70 the great annoyance OF the yillager
"a. r.. -. -