The National tribune., 1889-04-04
FIGHTING THEM OVER
Hhat0Br Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns.
BATTLE OF RICHMOND, KY

a DISASTROUS EMafE loE ths AAlUh lEB0tes
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: W. II. Hard
wick. OF Berwick, III, says that he was in the
rebel army and wants some one TO say some
thing about the battle of Richmond, Ky. l
suppose he means the battle Of Aug 80, 1862
The 95h Ohio was there all day, aud shot as
many rebels as they could, bat We were not
strong enough. and were compelled TO snrren-
der or retreat
We only had two brigades of troops, one
commanded by Gen. Manson and the other By
Gen Cruft. both indiana men. On that fine
morning our brigade, commanded by Gen.
CrufJ, was in camp near Richmond, Gen. Man
sons seven miles out southeast. in advance.
While 7, as First Sergeant Of Co. II, 95th Ohio,
was at the Commissary drawing ratons for the
company, I heard very heavy cannouading in
the direction OF Manson's Brigade, and the
order was soon given 10 fall IN line by our
Colonel, w. j.. McMillen. Ny squad of men
rushed back TO company quarters with the
rations and delivered them 10 the company
cook
Bugles were sounding Fall in" and STAFF
officers were eail0png about and running over
men in their wild excitement We had been
mustered into the United States service just IL
days previous, and the whole brigade IN fact
nearly all of the two brigades- were new regi-
ments-Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky troops,
and one Tennessee regiment.
Our brigade started for the battle-ground, and
we we're very soon on the double-quick We
ran more than half of that seven miles. and
were completely exhausted when We arrived
within range Of the rebel bullets. This being
our first experience in battle, we were ready TO
cXciaim. Why don't them rebels quit shoot
ing until we get rested?" or, g i wish that was
home" Every one, no doubt, thought Of
mother, sister, wife or sweetheart
We were deployed 10 the left and lay down
to rest for five minutes on the lee side of hin,
and then were ordered into the fight. At
about that time MansOn's Brigade gave way
and began 10 retreat We looked in front and
saw in the distance huge piles Of leafy brush,
behind which the main force Of the rebels had
been concealed with their artillery. The fir
ing was terrific, we thought, and as the enemy
advanced on us firing volley after yolley, our
men fell fast, three Of my own company falling
dead at the first fire, and rs many more from
each Of the other companies. Maj. Brumbaek
was badly wounded
We were ordered to retreat, which order we
willingly obeyed. We went back two miles,
under terrific fire, men constantly falling, be-
ing either killed or wounded. At little after
noon we reformed, 10 make another stand, and
then found that there were about 300 missing
from the regiment ] was then in command Of
the company, as the officers were ali missing.
We made a determined stand at this point fer
half an hour. Ne soon could see the rebel cav
airy away TO our left on high ground, moving
rapidly TO flank Us. We retreated again about
two miles, aud were met by Gen. Nelson aud
staff. The General was raving mad as the
battle had been brought on against his positive
orders. lie was at Lexington, . miles from
Richmond, and the first intimatiOn he had Of
battle was the sound Of artillery. He took no
time to put on military clothing but getting
into the saddle with sword buckled hastily on.
be rode 10 the field with blue blouse aad
white pants on. and when he came onto the
field his white pants were pushed up far above
his bOottops.
He soon brought order out of the disorder,
and soundly berating Generals and Colonies,
be ordered a fire on the advancing foe; but
the rebels were too strong for us and We re-
treated again, the rebels advancing through
e0rnheld. ] think the stalks were well fayed,
as We fired briskly as the enemy advanced, bat
they did not scare worth a cent.
Our next and last stand was made at the
graveyard, near Richmond The First Lieu
tenant Of my company u. G.. Bull had reioin-
ed the company At the graveyard the rebels
advanced on Us through c0Tnfcld. Here Col.
McMillen was shot in the hand and many of our
men were killed and wounded. This graveyard
was close 10 Richmond, and near the tollgate.
About sunset we were driven from this point.
many being taken prisoners A large number,
however. started Immediately for Lexington,
while others stopped at the brick seminary,
NAA~A tt14 HNCu IAlN04 b-A lAAo a BD-JAA1l.
About O'Clock in the afternoon we noticed
the rebel cavalry fanIing US on the left 1t
now was evident that they had been sent to cut
OF our retreat, as we had seen nothing of them
since morning. While passing by the seminary
binding many of our men threw down their
guns and declared that there was no use in at
tempting TO get away, as we were surrounded
BY rebels. Serg't Horlocker. Of nay company,
and myself decided, however, not TO be taken
prisoners if we could possibly get away: so,
bidding good-by TO the men, we started of.
Just then we met George Funkhouser, who
was bleeding from a wound in the chin He
told rs that Stonestreet was killed In the last
stand Rev. FUnkhOuser was a Kirginian and
was afraid 10 be taken prisoner He is now
professor IA the Theological Seminary at Day
ton, Q. Horlocker and myself had proceeded
but about one mile when we heard firing
which was apparently two miles away We
concluded that the prospects of getting away
Were very small We here met FIVE men One
Of them was wounded, having musket-ball
through both thighs. We assisted him onto a
WOrn-down cavalry horse, and directed him
10 the hospital The SIX Of Us then mounted
horses and started. We were then near the large
pond. After proceeding a mile or more we
went 10 the left and got into rayine ter
travelling about one hour, we received the CON-
mand 10 halt from someone far above Us on the
hail. But did not stop. We arrived at Lex
1hgtOn al aDoUI sunQOWn the next day. After
remaining there over night we started to Join
our retreating army, but getting on the wrong
road we Joined the Georgetown militia and
came with them to Cincinnati, assisting the
farmers 70 drive their livestock out of Ken
lucky into Ohio and Indiana, TO keep ii from
falling into the hands of the enemy. When
we arrived at Cincinnati we found the squirrel
hunters there from Ohio and the city was
under martial law
Kirby Smith, with his rebel army, came
within sight Of the city, but seeing the great
preparations that had been made to receive
him, he turned his army back
OuE losses AZ Richmond were very severe. be-
ing about 300 killed, wounded and missing.
The prisoners We're paroled. Lieut. Col. Arm
strong, Of the 95th Ohio after being paroled
secured his horse a valuable animal, and using
well both spurs and whip, rode AWAY and es-
capped 10 Ohio. We afterwards met some of
these rebel regiments at Vicksburg. Nashville
Spanish Fort and Blakely, of Mobile
1 would like to hear from any Of the four In
diana men who took that night ride through the
rebel picket-llne with me. Do they remember
the good breakfast ne got at the log house on
the Clay plantation the next morning. and
now cautiously We proceeded to meet those
men across the field clothed in dark suits2-H
WARREN PHELPS, Westerville, o.
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