The National tribune., 1892-04-14

Kanawha Division of in fantry, marched on the
direct road to Lynchburg; Gen. Hunter. with
| Gen. Sullivan's Division of infantry, was on
| Gen. Crooks left, marching nearly parallel
with him Gen. Avercl and division OF cavalry
on Gen. Crooks right. and parallel to him. ana
| Gen. Dufie, with his division of cavalry, on
| Gen. Hunters left Since leaving Staunton
! nothing had been heard of him until this day;
| the other forces having been in supporting lis
| tance at all times, and through
| THE SIGNAL CORPS
| were in communication with each other con-
| stantly.
June 15.-Left camp at an early hour and
crossed the Blue Ridge into "Old Virginia."
| having travelled 15 miles, and camped on Fancy
| Farm. where we remained all night. Col.
Powell (one-eyed PowelD with his brigade and
two pieces of artillery left ns in hurry this
evening. for what purpose we did not know.
June 16.-Revelle was sounded at 2:30 a. m,
and at 430 a. IN. we started for Liberty. a town
on the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad, where
we found Col. Powell with his brigade, whose
sudden movement of yesterday evening was
explained by his occupation Of the town, where
there were several hundred wounded rebel
prisoners in charge of rebel Surgeon. We
moved on through the town, and about two
miles beyond we were formed in line of battle
and all the other regiments of cavalry did the
same. Moved on and canIped, having Travelled
Is miles. We had sharp skirmish, and
shortly afterward we were ordered to the right,
where uncovered a battery of tho enemy.
Our battery coming up, we were placed in
front to support it, and for the next half hour
we had an artillery duel: and how the boys
rolled over and over to keep the shells from
hitting them, as they seemed to be coming
straight for US. 1t being dark, we could see
the fuse burning. Finally, Col. Powell got his
brigade in position and charged and captured
the battery and $50 prisoners without losing
man. We returned to our horses and en-
camped again. All sorts of rumors were flying
through the camp, among which that Gen.
Crook asked permission of Gen. Hunter to take
his division and proceed aud capture Lynch
burg by night attack, which was refused.
We did not sleep any during this night. We
could hear the whistle Of locomotives coming
into Lynchhurg, rebel reinforcement going
into line. and the movements of our troops and
artillery and the future of to- morrow's immi-
nent battle kept us awake.
June 17.-This was a day of much anxiety,
with heavy fighting our left and left center,
where our men charged to the rebel works re-
peatedly. and in each case we were repulsed with
heavy loss. Our brigade was kept on the right
and did not take an active part in the fight,
and about ii p. m. the wheels of our artillery
were wrapped in blankets and our forces
COMMENCED TO RETREAT.
Our brigade covered our rear. and we were
kept busy building different campfires, and
then moving off from the field at a. m. of the
morning of the 1Sth we getting quite a start
before the rebels were aware of our absence,
the campfires being "ruse." bHt before noon
their cavalry were after us and Gen. Averel
ordered Capt. Peck and his squadron (my COM
Pany and G} to disnount and occupy a bald knob
on the left of the road as post of observation
with orders to report to him every five minutes,
as the enemy were in pursuit. We remained
in this position three hours. and there was at
least $4,000 rebels in sight. massed in a large
meadow to our right and in advance of our
position To our right rear was a piece OF
woods filled with rebels, and on our left rear
another piece of timber 18th 800 or 400 rebels |
Immediately in our rear was an open field
abont 30 rods wide, and extending about one |
third of mile between the pieces of timber
above mentioned. At 2 p. N. an order was re-
ceived from Gen. Averell for our squadron to
rei0in the brigade.
This We accomplished in an easy run through |
said open field, without the loss of man, and
found our brigade dismoun!ed and in line Of
battle behind rudcly and hastily constructed |
and completely masked from the |
rebels by reason of thick underbrush mmedi- |
ately in front OF their heavily -massed infantry,
and not over eight rods distant from them. We !
had hardly taken our position in line before |
the g fun began. Volley after volley was fired |
into their crowded ranks strewirg the ground |
with dead and wounded. They responded |
briskly. but position was such that they |
overshot us. and not man of our brigade was |
hurt. We wero ordered to break ranks and |
find our way back to our horses rs quietly and |
quickly as possible. As soon as we regsiped |
our horses we were ordered to forge
FAST AND FURIoUsLY TO THE FRONT,
as brigade ofrebels bad attacked and captured |
our wagons and artillery, 81 pieces.
We ran through Salem and ont to the gap in |
the mountain. We were ordered to dismount, |
and our regiment, under command of Col. Shaw, |
charged them and drove them in confusion in |
every direction, rceaptnring all OF our artillery |
and part of our horses and go prisoners, among !
whom Captain, who complained bitterly, |
saying, just week ago | joined my regi |
ment at Petersburg having just returned from !
Island, by being exchanged; VOW.
- it, Ive got to 20 back again" Gen. Avere!i |
mpimented Col. Oiey for this achievement, |
but he was gentleman enough to give the credit |
10 Col. Shaw. where it belonged.
Our brigade was complimented for retaking |