The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1912-05-17

within ten miles of Jackson's camp
In the mountains, thirty miles west
there were 1000 Federals led by Gen,
eral w. II. Milroy and General r. G
Schenck. On May Jackson was on a
hill near Mcdowell with about 60OC
men, He planned to capture the road
of retreat of the Federals, who were
! shut in by hills, with only one avenue
Of escape, the road north to Franklin.
The question for Schenck was how
to get his force safely out of the
presence of foes which outnumbered
him. Jackson was believed to have
6,000 men at hand. Alilroy wanted to
await attack, but Schenck thought his
best plan was to take the initiative and
strike at Jackson, then quickly retire
his force from the enemy's front. This
plan was carried out, Milroy leading
his brigade in a gallant manner up
the face of the hill.
The Confederates were sheltered by
natural formation Of the ground and
by slight intrenchments. The battle
which ensued was fought at close
quarteGs. Both sides were plucky and
stubborn. After accomplishing his OBJ
ject Milroy fell back to the main camp
at Mcdowell. Early on the morning
Of the 9th the whole force marched
away toward Franklin and was not
seriously molested by the Confederates.
The Ram Merrimac Blown Up.
While the siege Of Yorktown by the
Federal Army Of the Potomac under
General Mcclellan was in progress, in
April, 1862, the Confederates main
tained a force of $4,000 men at Nor
folk. In the language of military men
the movement of the Army Of the Poto-
mac up the peninsula from Yorktown
toward Richmond turned" the Con
federate position at Norfolk, and it
had to be given up. On the night of
May 0 the Confederates under General
Benjamin Huger evacuated the place.
The year before the Federal authorities
had evacuated it after destroying a
part Of the old United States navy
yard and burning several warships at
the docks.
During their year Of occupancy the
had utilized the resources
Of the navy yard. 1t was here that
the famous ironclad ram Merrimac
was constructed. She was about to see
her finish close at hand. General Huger
burned the navy yard and all the yes
sells lying there. The Merrimac at the
time was at anchor off Craney island,
about five miles distant.
She was practically blockaded by
several Federal warships, including
the Monitor, which lay in Hampton
Roads close to the guns of Fortess
Monroe. Attempts to tighten the ram
20 she could pass over the, sand bar
1t the mouth Of James river failed, and
she was in danger of defeat and cap
.ure, provided she tried to cut her way
'ut past the Federal ships. Her COM
nander at this time, Capurin Josiah
Catnall, wanted to make a dash for
freedom, but he was overruTed by his
'hief at Richmond. Just before day
light on the 18th the torch was applied
o the magazines, and the pioneer iron
lad warship in American waters was
blown into shapeless wreck by her
Dwn people.
GunbOat Battle Near Fort Pillow.
While Farragut's fleet was fightt ng
is way up the Mississippi river at New
orleans in April, 1862. the Federm
ronclads in the upper Mi ssissippi were |,
practically blOckaded some distance
bove Vicksburg. The Confederates
we're preparing for trouble from the
orth as well as from the so nth. Fort
'illow was the farthe'st south which
be Federal ships on the upper Mis-
lsslppi could sail. At that. point ths
had eight wo oden rams.
hey depended upon these ships to
eep the vessels Of the Fede raj feet at
safe distance above the 70 IT.
Daily a Federal mortar boat was |
owed down the river within range Of
lie fort to throw shells at IT. One Of
he ironelads remained neaE by in Or