The National tribune., 1894-04-19

night drawing and issuing rations, and get
ting the knapsacks and camp equipage
packed away in the headquarters building
of the Fair Grounds.
Well, we started at sunrise for Richmond,
q distance of 25 miles. Gen. Kirby Smiths
forces were reported to be near to Richmond.
The weather was very hot, the broken-stone
pike was dry and dusty, and although we
had nothing to carry but our muskets and
accouterments, with 40 rounds of ammuni-
ton and one blanket, with five days rations
in the haversack, we found it very hard
marching. We had not yet learned to wear
the easy broad-soled army shoe, but with true
American-bOy pride had on our fine cali
boots.
When we reached the Kentucky River, Is
miles from Lexington, it was o'clock p. M,
and we were very glad to take off our boots
and battle our blistered feet. We remained
| there until about sunset, getting supper.
A courier came from Richmond, 10 miles
away, with the news that Kirby Smiths
army was near there, and the citizens were
afraid that he would burn the town. Col.
Holloway owned large plantation near the
town, and he was fearful that his and his
| friends property would be destroyed.
We started on the double-quick we ran
and walked and lay down and rested by
spells; threw away our blankets, blouses,
and part of our ratiOns, retaining guns and
ammunition. Men fell down, utterly ex-
hausted, and were left by the roadside.
We arrived in Richmond at o'clock a. M,
Sunday morning There were only II men
in my company and one commissioned Off
Ger who were present when we arrived, ont
of the Sc that started; and the other COM
| panies were in like condition. The rest of
the command were lying along the road.
After putting out pickets we lay down on
the pavement, in the streets, in yards-any-
where to stretch out our tired limbs-and
went to sleep. did not awaken until the
sun was shining in my face that beautiful
Sabbath morning.
During the day the tired-out men came
into town, and the teamsters came in with
the wagons, bringing our blankets and
blouses, which they had picked up.
Now / think that there were five or six
regiments in that command in fact, all of
Gen. Cruft's Brigade.
On Sunday afternoon we were aligned in
camp to the east side of the town, the right
of brigade resting on the pike.
We remained there until the morning Of
Saturday, Aug. 80, when we were startled
by the firing of cannon to the southeast,
where Gen. Manson's Brigade was encamped,
about seven miles away. AT a. m. we
were ordered to 60 to the support of Man
sons Brigade.
We arrived on the battlefield at about
$50 a. m. In few minutes we were Or
dered to the right, across the road, where
we were in support of a battery.
think that Capt Nation, with his COM
mand, must have been on our right, as we
were about one-haf mile to the right, and
10 advance from the church spoken of by
Capt. Nation.
We were soon driven back with severe
loss; four men of my own company were
killed, 20 OF the regiment, and many wound
ed, right there.
We were driven back two miles, and
there made a stand behind a field of corn.
The enemy advanced and drove us back to
a hill. There we were met by Maj .-Gen
Nelson and staff, who, hearing the firing,
started and rode from Lexington, and met
us at 2 o'clock D. m. He had ridden in
haste % miles, and was not in the best of
moods. He very soon got US into proper
battle alignment, and we made stand of
about 80 minutes, firing very low, and doing
effective work upon the enemy; but they
steadily advanced, being fully three to one,
as official reports give it.
We were driven back to the graveyard
near to Richmond, and near to where our
camp had been.
But We could not hold back the enemy;
they steadily moved on and drove US past
the Seminary building. They afterward in
formed our men that we shot so low that
we killed very many Of their men.
Col w. l.. McMillen, of the 95th Ohio,
was shot in the hand during the last fight.
Maj. Brumback was shot in the hip early in
the day.
We lost % men in killed and ga wounded,
all of the others were taken prisoners, except
about 200. Four men of an Indiana regi-
ment, Serg't n. FL. Horlocker, and myself,
escaped after night, got through the lines Of
the enemy, and made our way to Lexington
next day, thence to Cincinnati, where we
met the Squirrel Hunters" who had been
called out by the Governor of Ohio.
If Capt. Nation will look up dates, he will
find that the Both day of August, 1862 was
Saturday, according to my daryl. WAR
Rem PHELPS, Lieutenant, Co. II, 95th Ohio,
Westeryilie, o.