The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1901-08-08


about FIVE miles, when the enemy opened
on US with artillery qnite briskly Our
infantry was then formed in line of battle
and advanced slowly, our skirmishers
meeting good deal of resistance. One
| of our batteries opened on them and 81
fenced their artillery. Our line was again
advanced, and we met the enemy advan-
tageously posted in wood and in heavy
force, but as defeat was almost tanta
mount to humiliation, we continued to adj
vance and vigorously attacked them, and
after determined struggle drove them
from the field. capturing four splendid
brass 12-pOunder Napoleon guns, the
horses and caisSons, between 1.250 and
LOO prisoners, and killing and wounding
over 500 more, with a loss of 200 killed
and wounded on our side. Our force in
the fight was l 300 infantry, 400 cavalry
and batteries. The prisoners acknowl-
edged their force to have been 5000 in
fantry, the battery, and 1000 cavalry, or
more than three to one, with the advan-
tage of position. After the main fight
there was skirmishing, and some artillery
practice
We lay on our arms until after dark,
and then withdrew about three miles, TAX
ing good defcnsible position, and camp
ed for the night. During the night the
rebels retreated some distance and the cav
airy took possession of the town, and at
III a. m, of the 2lst our whole force march
ed into the place, and through it to a nice
grove, where we encamped, and remained
until the morning OF the 24th, refilling our
cartridge boxes and resting up. Mean
while Gen. Crook arrived with the remain
der of the kanawha Division, and thepe
was more or less skrmishing at the front
every day, and our position was taken on
! the extreme right flank of the Division
/ behind stone wall, in column of regi-
ments in echelon.
| again quote from my diary:
July 24.-Skirmishing began early,
well out ill front, with our cavalry, which
was reinforced at different times until the
whole force was engaged. At 4 p. IN. our
brigade was attacked and at ) was driven
from the field, the 34th losing very heavily
Col. Shaw was mortally wounded and died
during the night. Our brigade was in the
rear and marched in line of battle some
seven or eight miles (Which was very IA
/ tiguing) on the left of the Martinsburg
Pike, by circuitOus road of % or 80
miles. Marched all night, reaching Mar
I tinsburg at s n. III.
| July 25.-Formed line of battle out
side of town, and had some brisk Skin
mIshing in the forenoon, when our forces
fell back about half mile toward Hagers-
town. In the afternoon Gen. Crook
| formed nearly his whole force, the cav
airy on the tanks, the infantry in columns
| of divisions, and stOrmed the town, driv-
ing the rebels in confusion to their former
position. The Union forces were again
withdrawn, and the retreat commenced.
Ours was the last regiment in line of bat
tie, the others having retired by the flank
In TINS hight we lost Sergeant Martin
Color Sergeant) and one or two more
Killed and i've or SIX wounded; reached the
ford near WilliamSport at o'clock a. H.
of the 10Th, and forded the river as soon
as we could see to do so safely; marched
to Sharpsburg and encamped for the
night; the cavalry meeting a force of the
back.
July 27.-Started for Harper's Ferry,
and passing that place and Maryland
flights, encamped in Pleasant Valley, re-
naming all night resting.
July 2S.-Remained in camp, making
reports, drawing ratiOns, etc, until > p.
m, then crossed the pontoon bridge, at
Nights, Va, and encamped in some woods
at 5 O'Clock p. M, and went to bed.
July 29.-Remained quietly in camp.
July 3O.-Was this forenoon ordered
to appear before the Surgeon for examin-
alton. He told me | would never be able
to march any more, and ordered me to hold
myself IN readiness for removal to hos
pital. Waited until L was tired, then rode
one of the horses Of Col. Franklin to the
Ferry, where the Medical Director gave
me permission to go where | pleased"
Col. Franklin, being quite an invalid,
concluded to 90 to Frederick City, and
asked me to accompany him, which did,
remaining there until the time of such who
had not re-enlisted had expired, when we
came to Columbus, Ohio, and were mus
tered out. hope some other one of the
regiment will give the history of the bat
ties of the Shenandoah Valley, under Sher-
idan, in which the regiment was engaged.
HIRAM PECK, Captain, Co. G, 9th
Ohio, Weeping Water, Neb.