The National tribune., 1904-03-31

cDIIOH NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Referring
to your issue Of Jan. II, Campaigns OF
the Army of the Potomac" by WIN. Swim.
ton, showing diagram Of combat at Rich
Mountain, w. Va, if my memory serves
me right We crossed Roaring Greek and
went several rods to our outmost picket
post, before leaving the road. The rebels
had destroyed the bridge across the creek,
and temporary one was built just above
The morning Of July IL, 1861, comes
dier who had been on duty the night be.
fore, in the rain, taking his place in the
ranks, and on a still march, with orders
for all to keep quiet, patiently toiling w
the mountain side, among the Laurel
bushes and boulders, following, I believe
as brave man as was in the army, Gen
w. s. Rosecrans. We were ordered te
take "A hours rations in our haversacks
mine was IL bareback, not having much
appetite for breakfast that morning. To
ward noon l began to get hungry, and
my q hours rations were soon gone.
remember that l did not get any thing
more to eat until about noon the mex
day. In that engagement / think the
rebels labored under a great disadvantage
They had old fiintlock muskets, and il
was just after a heavy shower OF rain
| of their guns and they would have t
prime them several times over before get
ting them to go off. They fired shells from
one G-p0und brass piece several times, al
ways over our heads,-while we were form
ing line OF battle. After we got in line they
lowered the muzzle for the last time they
fired it. | shall never forget the COO
bravery of Capt. Bean, of Co. E, 10th
Ohio. He stood about six feet from me-
and the shell tore the oilcloth cape hang
ing from his sword belt, and struck the
root of big chestnut tree and broke into
several pieces. He merely glanced at his
torn cape and resumed his former posi-
ton. The rebels had succeeded in load
ing the cannon again, and were about te
discharge it, when the gunner was shot
man | should think over 60 years of age
for he was quite grayheaded. The 10th
Ohio fired the second volley, and all the
rebels who were able left on double quick
time for their main fertilization. During
the night they left that, with all their
camp equipage, and surrendered to Gen
Mcclellan on the 18th, at Beverly.
A man by the name Of Hart was our
guide up the mountain. He lived on the
mountain till the rebels began to fortify,
when he had to leave on account Of his
Union sentiment. The battle was fought
near his house.
In The National Tribune, Jan. %, Com
rade A. B. Large, Co. L, 18th Ind, Mt.
Etna, Ind. takes me to task for saying
that the 18th OHIO took the place OF the
18th Ind, in front of the battle; which,
reiterate, is true. What took place before
the 10Th Ohio arrived l am not able to
say; I am sure that the 18th Ind. was
there, and ne doubt had done some good
execution before we arrived, according to
Comrade Large's account. which I am
willing to accept. / would refer you to
Gen. w. S. Rosecrans's report Of the en-.
gagement at Rich Mountain, made al
Beverly, Va, July 10, 1861, in "War OF
the Rebellion. Oficial Records of the
Union and Confederate Armies" Series
Vol. II, page 215: "The column formed
and moved forward in the following order
and strength: 9Th Ind, under Benton
242; 10th Ind. under Manson, 1875; 18th
Ind. under Sullivan. $50; 10Th Ohio, under
Beatty. 525; total Inf. 1872; Birdsall's
Cav, IS; aggregate, 1917"
On the morning Of July IL, 1861, Col
Beatty, Of the 10Th Ohio, entered and took
charge Of the upper camp and all property
on the south side Of the road, consisting OF
two brass 6-pounders and some 80 tents
four caissons and 100 rounds OF ammuni.
ton. Col. Sullivan, Of the 18th Ind, oc.
cupied the camp on the north side Of the
road and took charge Of the horses. wa
CONS, tents, tools and implements Of the
rebels there. The 9Th and 10th Ind. were
left in position on the battlefield and were
charged with burying the dead. The
morning OF the 18th the whole force moved
to Beyerly.-CnARLEs D. HANNUM, Third
Sergeant, Co. D, 10th Ohio. Adjutant D.
f. Schenck Post, 271, Fulton, N. Y.