The National tribune., 1891-06-18
Read Better than Pension +" on page 2.
The 9th Ohio battery at MIL springs, Ky.

The 9th Ohio bRtteTy at MIL Springs, NY.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In TIE
HATIoEAL TRIBUNE Of March &c appears
short history Of the 9th Ohio and mention is
made Of their participation IN the action at
Mill Springs, Ky. This brings to mind the
fact that the 9th Ohio battery Of light artillery
had a hand in that fight and il was due 10 their
good service that the result of that engagement
was precipitated. Az a distance of nearly two
miles they disabled the ferryboat by which the
Coniederates were being transported across the
Cumberland River, and 90 compelled an i'm
mediate surrender.
Besides taking Roodly number OF prisoners,
there fell into the hands Of the vict0rs more
than 900 horses aud ~ pieces Of artillery.
Two Of the captured guns, with sufficient
number Of horses for their use, were accredited
10 the battery and formed part Of their arma-
ment until the close OF the war. For the bril-
liant achievement at Mill Springs Gen. Thomas
and his army received the thanks of President
Lincoln, and the 9th Ohio battery took 10 itself
it's just proportion Of the honor thus awarded.
The short regimental histories that have APP
peared in The NATIONAL TRIBUNE Of late arc
very interesting. If you could find il possible
20 publish sketch of the service Of "onr bat
terry" i am sure IL would be appreciated by
many readcrs.-E. A. PENDLETOs, 9th Ohio
battery, Waterbury, Conn.
THE 9Th Ohio Independent Battery was Or
Esnized az Camp Wood, Cleveland, o., Oct. II,
1861, and was intended TO form q part Of the
4lst Ohio. The strength Of the command
was three commissioned officers and 20 men.
IL was at first fitted out as four-gun battery,
with two l0-pOunders and two II pound how
itzers but afterward II became fall six-gun
/ battery. The battery moved from Cleveland
| Dec. z. 1861, and arrived at Camp Gilbert. KY,
| Dec. 20 1861; remained in camp until Jan. z,
! 1862, when il Joined Gen. Carter at Somerset,
| Ky. IL took part ia the battle Of Mill Springs,
/ Jan. 49, 1862, and was posted on a hill com.
mandng the ferry Of the Cumberland River,
over which the troops Of the enemy were being
/ transported with all dispatch. few we'll
directed shots at distance Of two miles set the
steam ierryboat on fire, and compelled an i'm.
mediate surrender Of the rebel works For this
action Gen Thomas gave the battery two OF
the captured six-pound bronze guns, fitted out
/ with captured horses aud harness.
The battery was in reconnaissance OF the
enemy's position at Cumberland Gap, and on
March % the battery was in position within
| a quarter Of a mile Of the eBemys works aud
| was under FIRE for seven hours. They alsC
took part in the movement which eliminated
| in the capture Of Cumberland Gap June 10
1862. On the retreat from Cumberland Gar
| the battery was in charge Of the train. On Tho
| first nights march one Of the gun-carriage.
was overturned and the ammunition IN the
chest exploded, killing three men. After II
days Of terrible hardship, the battery reached
Greenupsburg on the Ohio River. On Jan 90
1863 the battery, after being recognized, Joined
the Army of the Cumberland at Nashville. Or
| April s they had a brisk skirmish with the
enemy at Franklin, Tenn. On June IL they
were in action at Triune, and during June and
July participated in several skirmishes around
Triune and Murfreesboro. On Dec. % four mer
Of the battery were captured by the enemy il
Lincoln Co, Tenn shot, aud thrown into tn,
Elk River. Two of these men succeeded ia
escaping by swimming ashore, one dying tn,
following day. Thirty thousand dollars wa
assessed on the neighborhOod. for the benefit o
the families Of the three murdered men. In IN
early part Of May, 1864 the battery JONES
sherman's army on the Atlanta campaign, an,
fought until the city surrendered, and wen
through 20 the sea. The battery was mustere,
cut at Cleveland, July 20, 1866. The batter,
lost % men killed or died Of wounds during ID
J ssrvios.-EDTToR NATIONAL TRIBuNE.l