The National tribune., 1892-04-14

A FoRAGER.
the 10th Va. Cav, consisting of six wagons,
one ambulance and one blacksmith forge,
with their teams. The horses being too poor
to keep mp with US, we burned the wagons
We reached Rocky Gap about p. NJ, having
marched, including The 9Th, 20 miles.
May 1o-Broke camp at q. m, and started
on the Wytheviile road, crossing Big and Little
Walker Mountains, and, arriving within eight
miles Of Wytheville, were met by large force
of the enemy at or near Mountain Cove Gap.
We dismounted and fought from . p. NJ. until
dark, with varying success. but at last were
badly whipped aud outnumbered. and were
ordered to fall Lack. My regiment opened the
battle to the LEFT of the Gap. Gen. Averell,
thinking the rebel force only strong advance
picket, found cut his mistake and sent his
whole force TO support Us. Ny regiment held
their ground and pushed back the enemy for
some time on the left but the lst Va and 14th
Pa, on the right, being driven back. cur reg-
ment was recalled and the 2i aud I'd va. Cav.
took our place and We were thrown across the
right. between tie rebels and the 1st Va. Cav,
TO check the rebels and give our other two
regiments chance 70 reform in our rear. We
checked the enemy, bat, heavy reiulorcemeats
coming to their aid,
WE WERE FORCED TO RETIRE.
which we did slowly. under heavy cross fire.
and by our steadiBess saved the whole force
from a Tout. Preparations were made for a
retreat. A heavy skirmish-line was thrown
out from our regiment To cover the movement
The rebels. however. seemed to be willing TO
allow us to retire which we did uumoesfed
(lur f,afar I'd
orders to bold the position until ordered to
withdraw. which orders we never received
and after midnight came to the conclusion
20 withdraw without orders, and we overlook
the command IN bivouac the side of a
mountain. We marched before the fight %
miles. and during the night 10 miles.
Capt MuFry. Sith 40 men Of the Saith Ohio
and 60 OF the y Va. Cav. left Us at Rocky Gap
TO escort 60 o. 20 prisoners to the command of
Gen. Crook which consisted of 1000 in! !antry
and 500 mounted mem, and did not participate
In the fight. Our company lost our First Ser
Feant (JOs. ScGttl. and two men and one Cor
poral, who were badly wounded and left as
prisoners tJ0s Scott is a resident of Kearney
Reb, and has held many positions of trust in
this State. the last Office being Commissioner
Of Public Lands aad Baildings.)
By way OF GIgreSSion, ] want 10 say that
Gen. Crook WIS on our left, aud, as ] under.
stand Il, was TO engage the rebels at Cloud
Mountain ou the same day we struck Wythe-
vile: but for some unaccountable cause he
attacked ,hcm one Gay too soon aud gave them
good druhbiHg. But we found them on the
10th awaiting cur arrival. ready TO wreak ven
geance on Us; aad bow well they did the Job
many comrades Of the Isf, %, and Sd Va, 18th
Pa. Csv. and 3iih Ohio can testify.
May ll.-AfteG grazing our horses We started
over the mountain by by-paths toward Gen.
Crooks command. many horses giving out. as
hero yrqE for Wa bo9
no ratious for three days. We reached Dublin
Station or the railroad, little before dark
and finding tae bridge over New River burned
we c2mpcd in the woods. having travelled 45
miles We kept cur horses saf:died.
May 12.-Started at an early hour for the
river, which We ferded. The river was very
high and water cold. Had been raining great
deal.
MIN wERE WET TO THE SKIN,
and had been for several days. We were ex-
hansted and starved. The only time in my
army life that ] wished TO see &" ma" was after
getting acres Aew River. | was completely
played out and frozen. | sat down by fire
and cried like child. Il was only l6 years
But after getting some hot coffee from some
comrade ieii better. We lost two men by
drowning.
We took Up oar line Of march and came TO a
pretty little village named Christiansburg
where we perceived evidences of q strong
Union sentiment on the part of large share
OF the inhabitants. Camped for the night, hav-
ing Travelled - miles.
May l3.-Msycd carly and passed through
Blseksburg. Moved on TO a gap in the mount.
ain lsalt Pond hoBntain3. where we were
stopped by a brigade Of rebels under COM
mand OF Madwall" jackson. numbering
about LOO men, posted in command
ing position, with four pieces Of artillery
with which they shelled us onite Iivalv
MAS
TO feel " Of the enemy, and finding We could
not whip him. the command was turned of To
the right and during the uight we crossed salt
Pond Mountain, single file. This was one of
the worst mountains and horse ever
crossed. We were nearly all night getting over,
1t being very dark and rainy. We had TO hold
on TO the ta3i ol the front horse and lead our
own ali the WY over, and woe be TO the man
who let 20 his tail hold"
blay iA-Slarted al daylight and reached the
command OF Gen. Crook and went into carnn
Bnsaddling cur horses for the first time since
the 6th. ! Ecco-lect the condition Rly horse 5
back WAS IN. Skin ali adhered 10 blanket and
OH! WHAT BACK!
knew nv horses back was in q der,Iorable
condition before. for when he got warmed
up" ] could smell an unpleasant order, aud /
knew the cause. No rations were TO be had for
man or beast from Gen. Crooks Commissary ::
30 we had to go TO bed without rations, after
travelling p miles.
Msy l5.-S4ddlcd our horses and moved about
ak miles passing through The town of Union
tCountyseat of Monroe County,, and encaIn ped
about two miles from town. Squadroas went
out On a forsging expedition. Fired upon by
bushwhackers. Found plenty of forage; re-.
turned to camp, and Lad plenty TO eat for sup
per.
May 16.-Lay in camp until noon, cooking.
washing, etc, when suddenly boots and sad.
dies" blew, and the brigade was drawn up in