Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-03-13
WELDON RAID.

II any of the boys Of the Second and Fifth corps
read this they will perhaps remember the Weldon
miles Of the Weldon railway. we lett winter quart.
ers in the latter part Of December aud were gone
week. Jolly time we had, tearing up rails, heat
ing them in the middle, and bending them double
around trees. We also slaughetered sheep and
hogs and had plenty OF fresh meat to eatJ. P. Nc
KELvY, 90. B., 1iOth Pa. ", orbisoniA, Pa,-BiGde
February Goth.
In justice to the boys of the 9Th army corps
wish to correct comrade McKelvey. The
raid did not occur in December, but in Aug
ust. The order was issued on the 18th Of
that month. The 9Th corps and some cavalry
were ordered to destroy as much Of the Wei
don railroad as practicable, but not to bring
on general engagement. The next morn
ing at O'Clock Gen. Warren moved and ef-
fected lodgment upon the Weldon railroad
at Globe tavern, and proceeded to destroy the
road, when he was attacked by Gen. A. p.
Hill with the Divisions of Malone, Davis,
Heath, CloQuett, Weisiger and Fitz Lees
cavalry, having a combined force of two TO
Warren's one. Hearing of this, Gen. Grant
ordered the divisions of o. B. Wilcox, White
and finally Potter's, all of the 9th corps, to
move on the night of the 18th of August, to
the support of Gen. Warren--I well remem-
Der that weary march-rain fell in torrents,
mud knee deep. ..rs .'..s t.r.
Wilcox's division, to which the writer be-
longed, arrived on the field about 8 O'Clock
p. M, on the 18th, and at 4:3O p. m. the rebel
forces advanced to attack Gen. Malone,
some distance to the right and struck Craw-
ford division of the 9th corps in the rear
and flank, forming his new men in columns
of fours, he broke through Warren's lines,
faced to the right. He swept rapidly down,
driving all OF Crawford's division and the
right of Ayres' division ont of their ranks.
Gen; Wilcox was ordered 70 lead his division
| to the relief OF Crawford. Facing to the
right, we engaged the enemy under Colquett
and Malone, and at the point of the bayonet
drove them back and captured some prison.
ers. Gen. Heath renewed the stack but was
repulsed. No fighting was done on the Goth
other than between the skirmish lines.
The Union line was drawn in about half a
Warren was satisfied that the effort to drive
us from the railroad would be renewed
On the morning of the 2lst of August, A. p.
Hill with his own corps, part of Hoke's and
Fields divisions of infantry, Hampton and
Fitz Lees cavalry, again attacked our posi-
tion, opening with thirty pieces of artillery
on the Unions right flank and front, and at
10 q. m. assauiting With his infantry but was
repulsed. Later Malone assaulted on our
left but was also repulsed, losing SIT officers
and men and six battle flags. I'll OF their
dead were buried by our men.
! On the 22nd Warren's loss was 362-killed
i and wounded on the 18th, and 2618 missing,
mostly from Gen. Crawford's division. and
3O1 killed and wounded on the 2lst. I am
unable to give the loss of the three divisions
of the 9th army corps, but In Wilcox's the
loss was heavy. All was quiet on the 22nd
and 23rd, but Gen. Grant having determined
to destroy the Weldon road as far as Rowanty
creek-about 13 miles beyond Warren's left,
Gen. Hancock was withdrawn from before
Richmond. and by . forced march reached
the Curly House in the rear OF Warren.
On the 22nd he was ordered to march to
Ream's station and destroy the railroad. On
the oath Hancock had accomplished the
Work to Malone's cross roads about three
miles south of Ream's station, when he was
attacked by Gen. A. p. Hill With his own and
part of Longstreet's corps under Gen. Ander,
son and Hampton's cavalry. About 2 O'Clock
the attacks were made upon Miles front
which we're repulsed.a About O'Clock Gen.
Mott was directed to send all his available
| lforces-about 1900 men, TO Hancock. At the
same time Gen. Grant sent instructions to
Hancock to use his own judgment as to with.
drawing his command to his former position
or remaining where he was. To this Gen.
Hancock replied that while there was no ne:
cessity for his remaining there longer, and
recognizing the Importance OF his joining the
9th and 9th corps, yet he could not let go his
hold at Ream's station, as the enemy had
double his force besides three divisions OF
cavalry, but that he would withdraw at night
I About 2:30p. M, Gen. Hancock ordered Gen
1 o, B, Wilcox's division of the 9th army CORPS
to move down the plank road to Hancock't
support. This was a great blunder, as b
the plank road It is twelve miles to heam'i
4 station, when by the rail road only hve
and one half miles. Had our division been
sent By railroad we would have reached thu
field By o'clock and in time to reinforce thu
lend corps in their desperate struggle at
O'Clock, and in all probability had we gont
by the railroad would have struck HilPl
forces on the left flank and rear and turned
De Of any use. At 5 O'Clock p. M, Hill open
led q heavy artillery fire which continues
some time, when Hills forces under Heath
Cook, Lane, McRae, Scales, Anderson, @. M
Wilcox and McC1owan, assaulted and carried
Ia portion of HancoCk's line held by Gen
Miles, capturing McKnights battery and
large number Of prisoners. - ,.'
Hampton, with two divisions OF dismonnt
ed cavalry attacked Gen. Gibbons, division OF
the left flank, driving them ont Of the works
, The condition was now critical. With Iout
cheers Hampton pressed until met BY. Gen
Greggs' mounted cavalry, who checked thei
advance. Turning upon Gregg they forcet
! him to fall back, and with Gen. Gibbons
form new line. Rallying q portion OF hi
, division and leading it himself, Miles retool
McKnight's battery and resisted all attempt
of Hill to advance. 49, ..
: As soon as night came Hancock Withdrew
his loss amounted to 2iO0 men. Gen. VII
COZ arrived too late to take part in the battle
but formed the rear guard in the, retreat
The company to which the writer belonged
the 10th company Of Ohio sharp shooters, has
nine men In rank on the 18th, and on IN!
. morning Of the 26th we had but three. fai
to see where the fun came In, and cornrad
!. McKelvey is mistaken. Wemade other raid
against the south side railroad, In Octo6e
we were at Pegram's farm, and on the 27t!
, advanced to Hatche's run. The 9th and 9tl
corps were at Armstrong; mills. Hancocl
was at Burgess Mills, and a. usual had Z
} bear the heaviest part Of the battle q
Hatcher's Run, loosing 1900 men--the 81
! and Sth corps loosing less than goo. W