Year: 1861

Even there could plainly perceive the white tents of the
enemy, and see the shells whzzng through the air
Every crack Of gun rolled through the valleys, and
echoed upon the mountain sides, The reverbcrations
were terrific and the sccno at the distance Of
exciting grandeur. After Lcoms changed his position
could nothing but tho white smoke rolling up against
the breast Of the mounains nor hear anything but the
Ny reportorial inquistvencss got the better Of my
tmidty, and determining 10 have closer and better
view, rode to tho Of strife in fact mount
cd and before knew IT, was up on the road nearly OPP
poste Ioomis battery with shell and shot flying
my head But having confidence in the shelter Of high
rocky bank stood my ground at least long enough 70


THE FIGHT


The enemys camp in full view. His terraced bat
terry was bechng forth fire and smoke. Shot from our
batteries were tearing the ground all through the en-
eampmen and shells were scattering destruction anden


There cessation of the internal roar Of the
llery sometimes half dozen Of our pieces would send
forth simultaneous roar, making the earth tremblc and
the return fire seemed spitcfu IL whizzed the shot
mostly our heads For thirty five minutes every
gun ON our side was worked without cessation. Now .
shell would go ringing through the air making beauti
ful curve and dropping just the spot intended BURST
ana destroyed everything for yards around Of all the
and horses TO tatters instant they fall whix
zmg among them.


Aud as you hear vheir unmusical hiss coming toward
you you, II green In military strife will try TO
dodge tho screening devil. With the shell flew the
round shot into the enemy,s camp and all about their
batteries. With a whack they would strike the Garth,
and bore themselves into the earth like iron oles ope
rated by steam.





advance Of and line with batteries, standing
knoll the General, his countenance calm and in.
diaiyc Of satisfaction at the result.


Around him. IN the saddle, were his aids, moro
~ whom constantly dashng the field to convey
hs orders He was SO near the encmy's camp that he
could observe their movements with the naked eye.
sera shells fell near him. but did not in the least dis
tuih hs composurc.


IT. my var were the ambulances with the surgeons,
dsns salsied by green sashes waiting to perform their
auty samc very careful TO remain out Of harms
way, whsle others braved danger TO search for the
The ambuances were not long idle First came q man
esrrisd On blanket writing with pain. Ifc mad re.
cescd sot ia his stomach Next, another who had lost
arm, aud fainng from loss OF blood. Then came
three four slightly wounded leaning the shoulders
ay three rebels dead, another dying and third
slight, wounded The latter was placed in an ambulance
aud carried to our hospital.


Away up the road i, altered on its sides some sitting
some lying exhausted infantry men, most Of whom
seemed totally unconccrncd 70 the strife and at other
points of viewing distance groups OF unengnged cavAk
ry viewing the strife with deep interest.


For thirty five minutes our batteries kept up an un-
ceasing Are First one then another rebel gun was
dismounted. until only remained. This peppered
with shell aud shot, but we were unable to do more than
slacken Its fire.


on shots doing all the artillery mischief to our side.
when shot became too hot for tho gunners there
they would load the piece rapidly fire. run under cover
remain there a few minutes, and then repeat tho per-
formance. The thirty.fve minutes firing was magnn-
cent artillery duty Old soldiers who have been in many


fight said they had any thing equal TO IT,


While this was going on, the Fourteenth Indiana under
the gallant kmba, the dashing Harrow and the enthu
sastic Blynn, the Twenty fourth Ohio under tho
veteran Ammon and Gilbert and Butler had been
ing the mountain left to prevent srk movement.
They much exposed 70 shot and shell bat
ces8ul In dodgng them. The other regiments except
the Fifteenth Indiana and the Twenty nth Ohio held ~
reserve protecting our right and the battorios


RRINFORCEMENTs


After the enemy had been driven from their lower in
trenchments and their battery reduced TO gun our
articriss slackcned their fire and took It easily
The infantry frightened up, expecting orders to charge
the works. But the General, however, who OBJ
servant, dill not give the order When tho nre Of
batteries raging most fearfuy, the rebels sent up
two three rockets which the General supposed was
signal to hurry up expected reinorcements from the
mountains o consequently kept sharp look out on the
mountain road as did others, who were Of the same
opinion.


In the OF the camp came acoumn of men estimated
600, bringing with them several pieces Of artillery
Of superior character. The rciniorcements were
ceived with cheers by their rebel and badly routed
radcs The fresh pieces planted upon their upper
works and sent forth tune from tho rebel side.
head This they asccrtained and began TO take pretty
Our artlerists, delighted with the new guns went at
it with full force and no more cheers
heard the rebel camp They also threw shells into the
timber above where i was supposed the fresh infantry
had sheltered themselves, and with the naked great
scampcrng from the bushes could be observed.
AN ATTEMPT 10 FLANK.


In the meantime the colones began 10 grow ndgety.
They did like the idea OF the artillery enjoying all
the fun and asked that the infantry be allowed Ego
ino


council Of war was held. Tho coonels proposed to
take the batteries by storm. The General opposed
this at once, even II successful, IL would involve
great sacrifice Of fe They then proposed to outiapk
The enemy and take the camp in that way Their blood
up and though they knew that If the position was
taken II would be barren victory they wanted try
their hand say barren victory; but If the enemy
had been routed the position is Of to and
had our infantry worked in on the flank the road
open for the enemy to scamper of up the mountain
troops consented to let the infantry try fank
men, and If they could do nothing more, gain inorma-
tion tho location Of the ground The regiments
lected for the the Seventh, Fourteenth
and Fifteenth Indiana and the Twenty fourth Ohio The
Seventh Indiana Colonel Dumont, was selected to lead
why cannot imagine as it is new regiment; but its
colonel is an experienced and fearless soldier.


The enemy Observed the movements, and paying but
little attention to batteries prepared TO receive the
infantry they marched up through the woods. All tho
regiments received the order to advance with cheers,
the Fourteenth and Fifteenth throwing Off their coats
and preparing for FREQ use of the bayoret The Sc.
ven took the lead and the rest followed bravely They
had proceeded but short distance however, before the
rebels turned several Of their guns the timber and
sent into it a terrible fire Of shell ond canister.


Tie Seventh Indiana broke and ram their officers en-
deavorng in vain to stop them Their conduct caused
trcpiatn among the other regiments, but az the
command, they righted and were about 10 advance,
when orders from General Reynolds TO withdraw.
Though the seemed to rain shot and shell but few
men were hurt under them.


WINDING UP.


The artillery had now fred about twelve hundred shot
and she'll and nearly out Of ammunition. LOomis
had nothing left but canister, and Howe nearly
bad Off Daums piece had been disabled and hauled on





the infantry ordered an end to the engagement.


Loonis gave the Greenbrer camp parting blessing in
the shape or canister and the artillery despatched
to this point. The infantry followed, tarry
ing however, time in the valley hoping the rebels
would out and give them field fight Of three to one
But the rebels did not show themselves long blue
coat remained in sight at Greenbrier.


THE FORCES ENGAGED AND THE LOSS.


have stated our force At least half Of 1t was not
brought into action ALL The rebels taken prisoners
state that their force in camp, before arrival
10 o0O which, with the reiuforccments received makes
Goo yet the rebels had not the courage at time,
to come out their ntrenchments II is the experience
Western Virginia that they fight bravcly behind for
tications, and will not fight otherwise.


Our loss is twentyten killed and ten badly wound
ed as TO be uufed for duty Their loss is terrible inc
groans Of the wounded could be distinctly heard at our
batteries when the guns silent. The cad were
seen strewn all their camp, and the lower trench
was said 10 be full OF them Our fifteen hundred shells
and explosive shot made fearful havoc Besides some
forty or fifty killed by infantry in the rst dash
ouside the fortdcations. We took thirteen sisoners
they none. :. 49,. =. :. 80,
and enough small arms show how the enemy sup
Piled -,
three electiye shots One struck Of Howe's artle
rymen another took from the gunner Of the
corps and l think shattered axle Of Danms
gun rendering 1t unserviceabe. All these came
fron, he same troublesome little piece