The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-07-30


vauced 10 Shaw's Ridge and Shenandoah
Mountain. in the direction of Stanton, hut
only ms a accommodating party. our scouts soon
brought the information that StOnewali Jack
son had joined Gen. johnson, and that their
combined forces were advancing toward Nc
Dowell. We soon a'ter received the order TO
fail back 20 that place.
On the afternoon Of the 9Th a large force OF
the enemy was discovered descending the west
side of Shenandoah Mountain on the staunton
turnpike, when a section Of Capt. Hyman S
battery was ordered TO take position on Shaw S
Ridge 10 shell them aud 60 retard their prog
ress; but observing another heavy force cross
ing the mountain some two miles distant TO our
right MilIoy concentrated his forces at Nc
Dowell. In the meantime he bad dispatched
messengers 90 Gen. Schencb who was az Frank
lin, 10 come to his aid AT once Gen. Schenck
was "a miles away. but obeyed Milr0y's urgent
request and made the march in "a hours.
On the next morning May 81 the enemy was
seen in force upon the Bull Pasture Mountain,
about one and threo-f0urths miles distant from
Mcdowell, on our right and front. Our skir-
mish-line was soon in position, and Capt Hy-
man
COMMENCED To SHELL THEM
About 10 A. M. Gen Schonck arrived, and the
morning and forenoon were taken mp in skir-
mishing. Maj Long, Of the I'D Ohio and Capt.
Latham, of the 2d w. Va, did good service on
the skrmish-line by retarding the enemy's s
march aud ascertaining their position. About
350 p. M Gen. Milroy discovered that the
enemy were preparing 10 place n battery that
would command Uur whole encampment, when
he received permission from Gen. Schenck 10
mako a reconnaissance for the purpose OF OBJ
tanning information as to the position and
strength Of the enemy. Just here ] will state
that Gen. Schenck, being the ranking officer,
became the GommaUder-in-Chiof Of the forces.
The troops placed by Gen. Schencll nj Milroys
disposal were the Sd w Va, 25th, 10Th and 33d
Ohio Of Mlroy's Brigade, and the SD Ohio u
Schcncks Brigade. These regiments were by
no means fun, various companies OF each being
detailed for special duty.
Ii only required a few minutes FOR Milroy TO
ascertain what he was SO anxious 70 know, aud
the battle proved 90 be one OF the most stub
bornly contested for the numbers engaged,
that took place during the war. Much OF what
J shall write in describing particulars Of the
battle viii he taken from the official report Of
Gen. Milroy. The 25th aud 18th Ohio, the
former under command Of Lieut-Col. W. p.
Richardson and the latter under command Of
Col. N. C. Mclean and Mai. Robert Reilly, led
in the attack. They advanced in the most
gallant manner MP the face Of a steep hill and
ATTACKED THE ENEMY
in their front. Numbering less than 600 men,
unprotected by Ruy natural or artificial shelter,
they advanced upa PERCEPTIONS mOuntain-side
upon an adversary protected by intrenchments
hastily thrown up aud the natural formation
OF The mountain, and drove them being at
least twice their numerical strength over the
crcsi OF the mountain, and for one and a half
hours mantRined-while exposed 10 a deadly
fire-the position from which they had SO
bravely driven the foe.
AT about 4 O'Clock, peroeiying that the enc
my's force was being constantly increased, the
s2d Ohio, Col. Cantwell; 32d Ohio, Lieut-Col.
Il. H. Swinney. and 3d w. Va, Licut.-Col T.
w. Thompson were ordered 60 turn the right
flank Of the enemy. They obeyed the order
with tire greatest alacrity, but the encmy OBJ
serving the design, and having a much supe-
rier force, 10 a handsome manner changed his
front 10 the rear These three regiments,
however, attacked them brskly. and kept up
a destructive Ere that caused the enemy 10
wsver several times; but fresh reiuforcemcnts
being brought up by them, aud portion OF
Tho same coming down the turnpike the Sd
w. Va. hecBme exposed 10 their fire in its
front and rear; unable, however. 20 Withstand
the frc Of the "a NJ. Va. the latter reinforce
fuenie joined the main body Of the rebels. and
the contest became general and bloody. From
$50 p. m 20 $50 .. ~. our small force engaged
with nndauuted bravery force Of the enemy
wuich could not have been less than G.090 men,
and maintained the position from which they
liad erivcn them, displaying courage aud zoal
" Elich hRs neritcd the thanks % The country,
and proved themselves true representatives Of
tho
AMERICAN cTTTZEE-soLDIrR.
After nightiall the enra cement still contin-
ned, tho firing Of our men being gnided only
by tho flashes OF the encny's musSetry. until
the ammunition Of almost all tie men engaged
hollis ffra
the purpose Of the attack, our forces were re-
called, retiring ia good order, bringing with
them their dead aud wounded. Whilst my re-
port OF this engagement has thus far been gen.
eral, giving 10 each regiment engaged its Just
mced Of praise 4 cannot dismiss the account
without referring to "A few incidents that came
immediately under my own observation re-
lating 20 my own regiment The attack by the
enemy upon our rear, above referred 60, was
desperate position Tor a regiment 10 be placed
iu, aud nothing but the most intense devotion
10 duty by both officers and men held them Ia
place Firing lrat O. the front aud then turn
ing 20 the rear, the unerriug aim OF our men
did its work and the rear" party broke aud
lCft ihst part Of the field. As las already been
stated, the enemy were protected by natural
position GA top Of the mountain, while oui
regiment was partly IN an open field and partly
shy ono company IN a wood, our whole front
fight In our front was peculiar IN this, that the
enemy fired by regiment aud ia this order
when they were ready 10 fire, Woulc advance
quickly 10 the top Of the mountain, exposing
just enough Of their persons 10 enable them q
discharge their guns when the y0lley would
be firet, when they would as quickly and retire
/ from view IN that manner our regiment wa,
engaged with At least two, perhaps
1HREE, REGIMENTS OF THE POE
This must have boen 50, for the time thai
would elafse between vOlieys was BOT sufficient
20 enable one regiment 10 reload. But out
4 own boys soon got the hang Of ii, and awaited
each time the coming Of theexp0surc; our mer
! loaded and Cred at will.
AZ We were IN an open field, without breast
works ur other protection, we must have suffered
! greatly bat Tor tie fact Of the haste with
/ which the enemy fired. The leadon hail wen
/ mostly above our heads, and that part Oh,
\ left OF the regiment referred 10 as being il
! the wood, verified this assertion By their ap
/ pearauce when they left the Gcld after th,
4 battle tor their caps and shoulders were GOV
cred with the bafk and buds and twigs Of Ia,
! trees.
And here again we were arrayed against tai
I 3lst Va. (C0niedsrate) regiment, referred 10 Il
a former chapter AS having been mainly re
crnitod ~ residents from Ciarissburg. So clos
together wero tIe two regiments that the,
Tec0gu izsd and called 10 each other
Another incident is also related as hayin,
taken place during the battle. 1t was this
/ While Lieut.-Col. Thompson was yritini
a message 10 send 10 Gen. Milroy. with hi
paper held as high as has head against a tree
bullet from an encmy's gun struck th
/ paper upon which he waa writing After th
/ battle thiE incident was related 10 a reuorte,