The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-03-08
UNWRITTEN HISTORY.
Some Incidents of the Fight at Richmond,
XIV.

by the 69th Ind. in the battle of Richmond
KY, Aug 80 1862, propose to give my rec
objections of that event
The regiment was organized at lndianap
oils on Aug. 10, 1862 The organization haC
been completed at Richmond, Ind, few
days before, with the exception of part o
the regimental officers. which were completed
on the 18th. On the evening of the Goth W,
drew our arms and marched from the armOry
for the cars. Not a man in the regiment haC
ever drilled with his gun in hand or loaded
a musket, except, perhaps, few who haC
been in the three-mOnths service mention
this circumstance to show how green" we
were.
In due time we arrived in Louisville and
disembarked; but before our tents were
pitched we had marching orders for Lex
ingtoD, where we arrived in due time and al
once commenced to pitch tents, and before
the pins were driven we again had orders to
march for Richmond, KY.
We arrived at Lexington on or about the
Odd on Sunday, and at Richmond, where we
went into camp, on the evening of the oath.
During this time it was the hottest and
driest time ever experienced. The dust
was ankle-deep in many places and water
hard TO get. The consequence was much
suffering on that account. We were under
command of Gen. Cassus NJ. Clay, and /
had command of his bOdy-guard-au honor
highly appreciated by myself and the boys
of the squad.
During my intercourse with Gen. Clay
learned that the object of the expedition
was 10 guard professionalism through to
Cumberland Gap TO supply Gen. MOrgans
army, and that we were to keep between
Kirby Smiths army, then marching through
Kentucky, and keep them as far from the
Ohio River as possible without bringing on
an engagement
But about the time, at Richmond, the
command was Joined by Gen. Manson, and,
as / learned, owing to a disagreement be-
tween them as to the course to pursue, Gen.
Clay being the junior officer, and believing
that the course proposed by Gen. Manson
would be disastrous, he left the command
entirely to that officer and retired.
Our time up to Friday was employed in
arranging our camp. On that day we were
ordered out on the Rogersvlle or Cumber-
land Gap pike, and formed skirmish-line,
Co. B occupying large tobacco field.
No enemy appearing we returned to camp,
and Saturday morning were again ordered
out and marched out about eight miles,
and late IN the evening portion of the COM
mand had slight skirmish with the advance
of Kirby Smiths army, and captured two
field pieces from them, which the enemy
had no use for.
Just at dark l was ordered back to camp to
guard it during the night. This duty we
performed, and most of my company got a
little supper about midnight, and those al
lowed to sleep soon turned in / lay down
on the ground under tree with root for
pillow at about l o'clock, with nothing to
eat. At about o'clock Sunday morning,
Aug. go / was aroused by an Orderly from
Headquarters ordering US to rejoin our regi-
ment in dOuble-quick.
At once all was confusion. Some got a
bite to eat, and some none, (among the latter
my name is recorded, and by the time the
sun was peeping we were on the march in
double-Qulck. Water was almost i'm possible
to get, and / never saw men suffer for water
and from the dust and hot sun as they did.
But on we went, men throwing away KNAPP
sacks, coats, and even vests; occasionally one
would fall out of ranks exhausted. ! re-
member OF having as many as three guns
and cartTidge-bOxes on me at one time in
order to encourage the men.
When We arrived at the Brick Church
about eight miles from Richmond we dis
covered the flag of our regiment, the COM
panies all in line, waiting for the approach
OF the enemy.
We filed into line, and most of the brave
boys, from exhaustion, fell upon the ground.
W. II. Props as brave young man as ever
Ehouldered a musket, had an attack of SUM-
stroke. As he fell he was caught by two
or three of his comrades, who emptied what
little water they had in their canteens on
him, and he soon revived. About this time
Maj. WaterhOuse, one of the bravest men
ever saw under fire, rode up and said:
Gen. Manson orders Capt Nation and his
company to stand up like men,"
My reply was: Tell Gen. Manson that
Capt. Nation and his men never disObey an
order; but we have dOuble-quicked eight
miles, and we are exhausted and can't stand
can stand as much as any man in my COM
psny, and can't.n
The Major galloped back to Headquar-
tiers, aud soon returned with the order,
Capt Nation and his company have per-
mission to lie down." Firing had been 60
ing on for some minutes 10 our right at this
time
The Major soon returned, and said: capt
Nation is ordered by Gen. Manson to take
Cos. b and / and advance across the pike
and along an old fence to an old fbad about
one mile distant, and there form a skirm ssh
line and hold his position until relieved"
As we advanced along this fence the reb-
els opened fire on u.s. but were SO far away
that their shot did but little damage, except
moving down the briars in our way. The
only mishap was that which befell w. II.
Props, OF my company. He was shot
through the right lung, the ball passing
clear through his body and coming out near
his spine. He fell, and some half hour after
ward / found him lying On his face.
turned him over, and discovering no signs of
life in him we left him for dead, and he was
go reported on the muster-roll.
We arrived at the old road, as ordered, and
formed a skiImish-line, but were not al
lowed TO wait long before we heard the ap-
prosch of troops in front of us. / called for
volunteers 70 advance far enough in the
thick brush in our front to see what troops
they were. The whole company offered
their services.
then detailed Serg't Gibson, Ridge and
Protisman, l believe; they soon returned
with the information that ii was two rebel
regiments. As speedily as possible we pre-
pared for their reception. They soon APP
peaTed, coming around the thick wood in an
open field when in full view they were only
abstt 50 yards from us. They were not ex-
pect,ES any obstruction at this point, and
when we opened broadside into them they
were panic-stricken. They fell back, but we
Dbeyed orders TO maintain our position un-
til ordered away" But the rebels soon re-
pnnparPd with two mora Tbay