From the Twenty-Ninth.

Through the politeness of Lt. Crowell we have the following letter from the Twenty-Ninth.

New Market, Va., April 30, 1862.

Dear Sir: It is with pleasure that I write these few lines to let you know that we are [...]]]> Army Correspondence.

From the Twenty-Ninth.

Through the politeness of Lt. Crowell we have the following letter from the Twenty-Ninth.

New Market, Va., April 30, 1862.

Dear Sir: It is with pleasure that I write these few lines to let you know that we are near New Market, Va., and also that we are enjoying ourselves very well for the chance that we have. I also write to let you know about recent march from Camp Duval, where we were when you left us. On the 17th we received orders to march on after the rebels, and at three o’clock, A. M. we were on the turn pike towards Stanton. After the foremost of our troops had crossed the river they began to fire on the rebel pickets and drive them toward Mount Jackson. We still kept advancing all the time and nothing of importance occurred until we arrived at Mount Jackson, where we found that the rebels had gathered quite a number of cars at the above named place, and loaded them with combustibles and set them on fire, and they were all consumed but about one half dozen, which our cavalrymen saved by their dexterity and rapid movements. They also saved two locomotives, which were loaded with boards and set on fire. Here we also got possession of the rebel hospitals, and quite extensive buildings they were too, and very good, being plastered inside. We marched on through the place, and took possession of the same name of the United States and Uncle Abe Lincoln. Still onward we passed, after the rebels, when about three miles from Rudd’s Hill we were ordered to turn off to the right in support of a battery. When off in this direction about one and a half miles, in an open field, the rebels opened fire upon us, firing three shells at us, they going over our heads and striking in the ground from fifteen to tow hundred rod distant. Our battery being ahead of us soon wheeled about and returned the salute dislodging them. Companies A, D, I and C, were deployed as skirmishers and marched by the left flank through a small piece of woods. When we had gone through the woods, we halted, and away to the left, behold! we saw a rebel gun with horses hitched to it, leaving on double quick time, as though the very evil one was after them. the gun was about two miles off. A short way ahead of the place where we turned off to the right was the bridge that the rebels undertook to burn, but did not on account of our cavalrymen arriving there just in time to extinguish the fire before it had made any progress. At he bridge our cavalrymen took quite a number of prisoners, including one of General Jackson’s Aids. After the enemy were dislodged we marched back to the road. At the bridge there were two companies of our regiment, left to guard the same. On we pressed, and still onward, and halted for the night about one and a half miles from where our brigade were encamped. In the morning we went on and over took the brigade, and encamped about one half mile from the city of New Market. As usual the rebels burnt all the bridges that lay in our path.

               Yours truly,     R. E. Woodbury.

Ashtabula Sentinel 14 May 1862

Ashtabula Sentinel 14 May 1862

This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 14 May 1862
Page 4 Column  5
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.

This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel.

Charleston, Kanawah Co., Va., April 19th, 1862.

To The Editor Of The Sentinel.

When I left on the 18th of March, I promised to write you from the regiment at Raleigh, where I expected to have been long before this, but unfitness [...]]]> From The Twenty Third.

Charleston, Kanawah Co., Va., April 19th, 1862.

To The Editor Of The Sentinel.

When I left on the 18th of March, I promised to write you from the regiment at Raleigh, where I expected to have been long before this, but unfitness for duty in camp has compelled me to stop here at Charleston hospital, where I am at present and expect to remain until able to endure the hardships and exposures of camp life, and march with the company over the Virginia mountains again, which I hope will be the case before they leave Raleigh, for I should  feel much more contented to be with them and share their fate, whatever it may be.

There are 150 patients here now, several from the 23d regiment, but none from company B, except Marsh, Henry Warren and myself. I shall go to the regiment as soon able. They are on duty here, and will perhaps remain as long as the hospital is keep up. There are not more than three or four here considered dangerous; many of them have become disabled from the effects of fever and disease brought on by exposures they were forced to submit themselves to, while driving the rebels out of Western Virginia. The surgeon in charge of the hospitals can now give furloughs of thirty days, to the sick as soon as they are able to leave the hospital, or be taken away by their friends. Those who are considered unable to become fit for service again, are discharged and sent home. Soldiers are leaving here every day, some for home and others for their regiments; but enough come in to fill their places.

There are ten or twelve Ohio regiments stationed at different points on or near the Kanawha river, only waiting for the roads to become passable, and orders from the brave General Freemont, to march on to Newbern, to Richmond, and to victory. Freemont will not allow his men to remain idle long if there is work to do, and as soon as they move the sick will be sent here. Preparation is now being made for two hundred more, and they expect them here soon. The surgeon, assistant surgeon, steward, and in fact, all officers of the hospital are through going men, and see that the rooms and beds are kept neat and clean. Good nurses are procured—such as John Marsh of Lenox, for instance, and all is done that could be for the sick soldiers. Swearing, card-playing, and smoking are not allowed in the hospital, and if a soldier cannot conform to the rules, he is either sent back to his company, or confined in the guard house until he is satisfied to conduct himself properly. The hospital is a four story brick building, large enough, I think to accommodate 250 sick soldiers by putting the bunks in close together. The basement story is used for the cooking and eating department. All the cooking is done in a large army stove, except baking the bread, which is done in a bakery near by, where enough is baked every day for the hospital, and 12th Ohio regiment stationed here. If I had a wife that made as good bread as they have here, I would not quarrel with her on the bread question at all events. A table is set large enough to accommodate about seventy. We have coffee for breakfast, beef soup for dinner, and tea for supper; we always have meat, either beef or bacon; we generally have butter, and sometimes potatoes and eggs. There is no need of finding fault with the fare—it is much better than we usually get at camp. At the ringing of the first bell the nurses take seats at the head of the table, and then all that are able to leave their rooms go to the table to eat, and those who are not able, have their food carried to them by the nurses.

The weather has been very warm since the first of April, but for a week past rainy, and the roads are almost impassable. Vegetation is a month earlier than in Northern Ohio. Peach trees have shed their blossoms, and apple trees are in full bloom. The forest trees are beginning to look quite green, and will soon be so thick with leaves that the bush wackes can secret themselves and shoot Union men as they pass through the country. There is a man confined here with a chain and ball to his leg, who, it is said, killed a boy, took out his bowels, and put his head in their place, because he said he would rather go with the Union men than the Secesh. I know not what is to be done with him. Shooting or hanging would not be bad enough for such an inhuman wretch.

The regiment has been paid for four months service since I left home, but when the pay-master came back here, he was out of money, so we will have to wait until next pay, which will be the first of June, making one year from the time company left Jefferson. Six out of the company have died of sickness—not one has been killed by the rebels. It is not on account of cowardice that the 23d regiment has done so little fighting, but owing to the fact that they never could get near enough to Wise’s or Floyd’s armies to reach them with there Enfield rifles before they beat a retreat. I know that the 23d would not disgrace itself as it is said two of our Ohio regiments did at the battle of Pittsburg, or at least I know company B would not. Captain Sperry is a man that shrinks from no duty. He commands the respect of his men, and they will follow him to victory or death.

I hope to be with the company soon, and if you will pardon me for writing so long and poor a letter, I will write a shorter and more interesting one from there.

One year ago to-day Fort Sumter was taken by the rebels. I hope that McClellan will celebrate it by taking Yorktown to day and show to the world by actions rather than words, that he is what he is represented to be. It is said that “great deeds make great men.” If he has done anything to justly entitle him the “Napoleon of America,” have yet to learn it.

       Truly Yours,            B. F. Udell.

Ashtabula Sentinel 7 May 1862

Ashtabula Sentinel 7 May 1862

This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 7 May 1862
Page 5 Column  3 & 4
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.

This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel.

]]> http://ashtabulagen.com/the-23d-o-v-i-at-charleston-va-19-april-1862/feed/ 0 http://ashtabulagen.com/union-college-hospital-21-april-1862/ http://ashtabulagen.com/union-college-hospital-21-april-1862/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 08:00:31 +0000 admin http://ashtabulagen.com/?p=3310 Army Correspondence.

Union College Hospital, Murfreesboro, Tenn., April 21, 1862.

To The Editor Of The Sentinel.

The spirit moves me to write to you, and through you to the good citizens of Ashtabula county. We have just been cheered by the arrival, at this Hospital, of [...]]]> Army Correspondence.

Union College Hospital, Murfreesboro, Tenn., April 21, 1862.

To The Editor Of The Sentinel.

The spirit moves me to write to you, and through you to the good citizens of Ashtabula county. We have just been cheered by the arrival, at this Hospital, of several boxes of articles from the Soldier’s Aid Society, from Northern Ohio; and among them is one box, at least , from old Ashtabula Co. It is a box containing canned fruit, and the concentrated chicken fluid, which I judge must have come from the enterprising little village of Eagleville. As we were eagerly examining the contents of the different boxes, my eye fell on a newspaper that had a familiar look, which proved to be a copy of the Sentinel of Feb. 26th, and in pencil was written on the margin “Distribute to the Soldiers;” and on another paper was written “curses on him who keeps these from the sick soldiers.” I though, “God forbid that the curses of those benevolent people should rest on my head,” and with a heart full thankfulness, sat sown to indie this epistle, to assure them their gifts should all be applied as they wish—for the sick and disabled soldiers under my care.

There are now in this Hospital, not less than 450 who had been left behind their regiments from various diseases. They represent regiments from Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Since I have charge of this Hospital, there have been nearly 1000 patients, of which nineteen have died, and several more are dangerously sick. At first there was a very great want of any of the comforts or even necessaries of life—no blankets, beds, no cooking utensils, no plates, knives, forks, or spoons—nothing but the large quildings, covered with secession filth from top to bottom. By dint of labor and preseverance, and with the help of friends from the North, our patients are now very comfortably provided for, though far from being as comfortable as they could be at their own homes.

When we give them the different articles which have been donated, such as socks, handkerchiefs, comforts, pillows, etc., they often ask, “Do we have to pay for this?” and when told that they are free gifts from their Northern friends they express  their gratitude; and it seems to serve a double purpose of adding to their comfort, and convenience, and at the same time raise their drooping spirits at the thought that they are still cared for by Northern friends.

I confess that I felt some pride as well as pleasure when I told the soldiers that some of the good things came from my own county, and were furnished by my own neighbors (I trust the good people of Eagleville will not be offened if I claim them as neighbors while I am in Tennessee.)

This place is situated in the midst of a rich cotton growing country, and of course is blessed with the peculiar institution. Several contrabands have come into our camps and expressed a desire to go along with the army, but in most cases they have been returned to their owners when they claim them. There are five in the Hospital Depart of this place which have not been returned, though some of them have been claimed.

     Very truly yours,      Wm. M. Eam

Ashtabula Sentinel 7 May 1862

Ashtabula Sentinel 7 May 1862

This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 7 May 1862
Page 4 Column  3
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.

This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel.

In the Warren Chronicle of Wednesday last, we find a very interesting letter from a member of the 14th Ohio Battery, in which is given the most complete list of killed and wounded that we have yet seen, which is most probably exact. We quote it [...]]]> The Fourteenth Ohio Battery.

In the Warren Chronicle of Wednesday last, we find a very interesting letter from a member of the 14th Ohio Battery, in which is given the most complete list of killed and wounded that we have yet seen, which is most probably exact. We quote it as follows:

List Of Killed.

J. A. Kagy, of Bristol, Gunner, 1st Detachment; Wm. Downey, of Cleveland, Cannoneer, 1st Detachment; T. E. Chaffee, of Orwell, Lead Driver, 1st Detachment; Robert McMillan, of Austinburg, Ashtabula county.

List Of Wounded.

Capt. J. B. Burrows, of Geneva, in his right arm; Serg’t De Witt Ackley, of Mesopotamia, in leg; Serg’t J. W. Francis, of Nelson, in thigh; Serg’t F. B. Pierce, of Austinburg, in shoulder blade; Privates, Wm. Lovall, of Farmington, in hip slightly; William Rutan, of Champion, in head, slightly; A. Peabody, of Greene, in left breast; J. Hnnter, of Niles, in hip, seriously; Wm. Hewitt, of Nelson, in right thigh, slightly; J. Prichards, of Hiram, in left ankle, slightly; F. Farrington, of Parkman, right wrist; Richard Taylor, of Leroy, Lake Co., both arms; A. O. Shepherd, Perry, Lake county, left foot; T. Blanchard, Perry, Lake Co., left arm; S. Barber, Leroy, Lake Co., head and hand; E. Bower, Mesopotamia, right arm; H. T. Gaylord, Geneva, Ashtabula Co., right arm, amputated; Wm. C. Hall, Austinburg, left shoulder and right side; Jas. Reed, Austinburg, Ashtabula Co., hip and shoulder; A. Henderson, Austinburg, Ashtabula Co., right thigh; C. E. Austin, Austinburg, Ashtabula county, right chest and arm, slightly; L. W. Waters, Lenox, Ashtabula Co., shoulder and thigh.

Ashtabula Sentinel 7 May 1862

This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 30  April 1862
Page 4 Column  3
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.

This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel.

To The Editor Of The Sentinel.

While many batteries that were in the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, are being applauded through the press for their efficiency, nothing is said of the 14th. Some of these pet batteries, that preform such wonderful service, with [...]]]> Fourteenth Battery, Ohio Volunteer Artillery.

To The Editor Of The Sentinel.

While many batteries that were in the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, are being applauded through the press for their efficiency, nothing is said of the 14th. Some of these pet batteries, that preform such wonderful service, with so little loss, need that kind of commendation, but the action of the 14th, in that desperate fight, speaks in louder tones to the heart of the people, than the “Trumpet of Fame” blown by paid newspaper reporters. There is abundant evidence that no Company occupied a more dangerous position on that battle field, or inflicted more fearful damage upon the enemy, during the time they were engaged, nor suffered greater loss than the 14th Ohio. Some friends of the soldiers in that battery, having requested me to forward the enclosed letter, for publication, I send it for your disposal, and your are liberty to give it publicity through the Sentinel if you think proper.

Yours Respectfully,       T. A. Miller.

______________

Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., April 12, 1862.

Dear Friends at Home—Through the protecting care of God alone, I am permitted to write you once more. You will, no doubt, learn before this reaches you, if you have not already, that we have taken part in the most terribles battle ever fought on the Continent—and one which came very near resulting disastrously to the Union cause.

Early on Sunday morning, April 6th, we began to hear firing in the distance, and it soon, became evident from the unceasing roar of muskets, that our forces were being driven. At 8 o’clock the firing became much heavier, and our battery was ordered into action. In a few minutes we were on our way to the battle field, little thinking how disastrous the day would prove to us. We were first drawn up on the edge of an open field, but were soon moved about twenty rods further south, so as to command two roads. In a few minutes we were again moved so as to command a ravine, some fifteen rods to the west. In ten minutes we were again ordered to change our position, and this time, were placed as it were, “in the jaws of hell.” Two regiments were ordered to support our battery on the right and left respectively. The battery was stationed on a ridge, ranging across a ravine, and to the right of us about twelve rods, was another ridge. We had no sooner got into position, than the order was given to load. The rebels were seen in the bushes bearing the American Flag. We were deceived only for a moment, and gave them a salute with shell from our guns. The balls now began whistling about us like hail, but our guns were served with rapidity and accuracy, doing fearful damage to the enemy. We kept them at bay in front, but a large force came up sheltered by the ridge on our right, and the infantry fell back, leaving us entirely unsupported. Our battery was flanked, and exposed to a raking fire, but we still stood by our guns, and the gun of our detachment cut down the rebel flag, killing the color bearer. Capt. Burrows had been shot through the right arm and borne off the field, a large portion of the men killed and wounded, and the order was given “Limber to the rear.” The horses were brought round , but in less time than I can write it, many of them were shot down, and our battery was lost. We got off the field what was left of us, God only knows how. I never expect to face so great danger again if I should be in a hundred battles. We had only about ninety men who went into the battle, and thirty of them were killed and wounded. The Austinburg detachment had sixteen men in the fight, nine of whom were killed, wounded, or marked with balls. We fired the last shot fired from our battery—we did all that men could do, and more then we ought to have done, to save our guns, but it was impossible.

James S. Reed, Wm. C. Hall, Henry F. Gaylord and Lucien Waters, of our detachment were severely wounded. Serg’t T. B. Pierce, Arthur Henderson, Charles Austin, A. Cadmas, slightly. Robert McMillan was killed; he fell like the brave soldier that he was, in the discharge of his duty. All honor to his memory—he never faltered in the time of danger. A report will soon be made of all the killed and wounded.

Our forces were driven all day Sunday, but on Monday the tide of battle changed, and the rebels were driven every where with great slaughter. We recovered our guns, spiked, dismounted, and some of the wheels shot to pieces on Monday. We have got the spikes out, and will soon be ready to pay our compliments to the rebels again, if they have any desire to receive them.

I do not know what the reputation of our battery is to be, but I know that men never fought better, unsupported, and cut to pieces as we were. If I ever see you again, I can tell of a thrilling scene, and more than one hair-breadth escape. We have a great many sick, and it is impossible to procure them medical aid at present. Write me offen for letters from friends now are invaluable in keeping up our spirits.

                                            Edgar C. Miller.

Ashtabula Sentinel 30 April 1862

Ashtabula Sentinel 30 April 1862

This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 30  April 1862
Page 5 Column  2 & 3
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.

This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel.

From The Twenty-Ninth.

Camp Duval, Thirty-Five Miles From Winchester, April 15, 1862.

To The Editor Of The Sentinel.

There has been stirring times in the 29th, since I left on the 7th March, on a “leave of absence.” Hard and fatiguing marches, a severe battle, with [...]]]> Army Correspondence.

From The Twenty-Ninth.

Camp Duval, Thirty-Five Miles From Winchester, April 15, 1862.

To The Editor Of The Sentinel.

There has been stirring times in the 29th, since I left on the 7th March, on a “leave of absence.” Hard and fatiguing marches, a severe battle, with considerable skirmishing, has been the order of exercises.

I will not attempt an account of the many marches as they have been recited to me by many who participated in them. I will, however, speak of the battle of Winchester, briefly. Perhaps I may note a few things which have been related to me, and not before spread before the public.

The Twenty-Ninth was not represented in the first published account of the battle. It fought side by side with the Seventh Ohio, a regiment too well known in the history of the present war to require any large amount of newspaper blowing, yet in the account above alluded to, they were glorified, while the Twenty-Ninth was entirely left out. It is just to say that our entire force acquitted itself nobly, exhibiting the most unflinching courage and heroism, and the Twenty-Ninth Ohio was not a whit behind the bravest. It stood up against the murderous fire of the enemy behind their stone breastworks with a fortitude and determination unexcelled in the history of any regiment of volunteers in its first battle.

Not an officer, or private on the field, so far as I am informed, showed the “white feather.” Col. Buckley is justly proud of his noble regiment, and the manner in which it deported itself on the memorable 23d of April. I think it is fully appreciated by all who witnessed the battle, and receives its full share of praise.

Our regiment did not suffer as much as some other; only losing five or six killed, and perhaps ten or fifteen wounded. Capt. Myron Y. Wright received an ugly wound. either from a musket ball or the fragment of a shell, through the leg near the ankle. He kept his place, however, sometime after the injury. Lieut. Williamson, known as the Sergeant Major in Camp Giddings, who had for some time filled the post of Aid to acting Brig. Gen. Tyler, was detailed to the command of Company D, in place of Capt. Wright. He soon fell, pierced by a ball through the head while waving his sword and cheering on his men. Lieut. Williamson was a generous, noble, brave hearted young man, beloved and lamented by all who new him. His towering form was an inviting mark for the blood-thirsty foe.—but his death was avenged sevenfold. His fall, instead of intimidating the men, seemed to arouse them to stronger courage and more daring deeds. The battle raged on terribly till nearly nightfall, amid the steady roar of the artillery and musketry, when the enemy were completely routed and a hasty retreat,exhibiting their accustomed fleetness on foot and determination to get out of the way, and leaving over three hundred dead behind them for our men to bury. Eighty-six were interred in one grave on the battle field. I am informed that a large proportion of them were found to have died from shots through the head, showing the accuracy and coolness with which our boys use their firearms.

The contending armies were within speaking distance of each other. The enemy shouted in the ears of our men, “Remember Bull Run.” The Seventh Ohio boys shouted back, “Remember Cross Lanes.”

A rebel officer had both eyes shot out and the upper portion of the nose carried away by a musket ball, and was found in this terrible situation, stumbling around among the dead. He was taken to the hospital and cared for by our Surgeons; it is though that he will live.

A rebel Colonel had his leg shot off by a cannon ball at the knee. The severed limb was found next morning still filling the boot.

The shots of the enemy mostly went too high for execution—the air seemed to be filled with whizzing bullets. A tree in the rear of Company K, of the Twenty-Ninth was literally riddled. In the midst of the spattering a private standing within a few feet of the tree cooly remarked to his Lieutenant that he “would give fifty dollars for seven feet from the body of that tree to carry with him to Conneaut.” Many other incidents, both amusing and serious, might be related.

I will add this one. The ladies of Winchester prepared a great supper for General Jackson, expecting him to have possession of the town by tea time. I will offer it as my opinion, that it will be a long time before “stone-wall Jackson” breaks bread with the ladies of Winchester.

The weary thousands of the Federal Army lay down to rest for the night on the field of their victory. The lanterns were seen moving to and fro during the night over the field, to light the way to the wounded who were borne away in ambulances to the hospital.

Early in the morning the troops were aroused from their broken slumber to pursue the retreating enemy who were urging their way rapidly up the valley covered by Ashby’s Cavalry and a small Artillery force. when closely pursued they would turn their cannon upon us and open fire, and as soon as our artillery was brought to bear upon them they would just up stakes and skedaddle. This sort of skirmishing continued along the road up to this place. We have almost daily skirmishing with the pickets, which may possibly bring on another engagement; but the enemy seems well drilled in retreat, and will doubtless give another exhibition of the thing if we advance on them. I went out yesterday with a friend, where our pickets are stationed. We could see the rebels distinctly on a distant hill. Everything had been quite for two days; but all at once the saucy fellows took it into their heads to toss a few shells at us; we saw their movements, and broke for the timber. Bang! whiz, came the shell and passed to the right; then another, and still another, all flying wide of the mark. I confess that I didn’t feel highly tickled with the exercise. Two of our batteries soon opened on them, and then the fellows turned the muzzle of their guns a little, and began to play on the batters, but soon gave it up. I had the satisfaction of seeing them run from the hill into the woods. Mt position was between the guns of both sides, the shells all passing over, so that I can truthfully say I was “under dire.” I noticed that the pickets dodged behind the trees when they heard the shell coming, following their example I prudently selected a big one, braced up against it and felt as safe as possible under the circumstances. But what in the world they wanted to commence firing for, just at that particular time, after behaved themselves so well for two days, I really don’t understand. I don’t think they treated me very well to commence shooting at me the first time I went to see them. I am treated with more respect among our folks, and I’ve made up my mind to stay with them after this.

The regiment has been paid again, and everyone is feeling well over it. The paymasters are making pretty clean work in this division. They brought with them about one million of dollars. Regiments from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maryland and Virginia, are connected with this branch of the army.

What we shall do next, I am not at liberty to tell if I knew. All that I have to say is that you must wait and see. Do not cred reports of battles and victories, until you read of them in the official dispatches.

There have been several resignations in the Twenty-ninth recently, in consequence of ill health, and other causes. This is also true of other regiments. We have loss several men during my absence, who have died at the various hospitals. A number for whom I brought presents—sundry little tokens of affection from wives and mothers—were not here to receive them. They were dead and buried. God pity and bless their bereaved families.

Chaplain.

Ashtabula Sentinel 30 April 1862

Ashtabula Sentinel 30 April 1862

This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 30  April 1862
Page 5 Column  1 & 2
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.

This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel.

Through the favor of Arron E. Austin, Esq., we have the following letter received from his son, of the 14th Ohio Battery, written on the Hospital Boat coming down the Tennessee.

We have met the enemy, and have whipped them, but we have suffered fearfully. The [...]]]> Army Correspondence.

Through the favor of Arron E. Austin, Esq., we have the following letter received from his son, of the 14th Ohio Battery, written on the Hospital Boat coming down the Tennessee.

We have met the enemy, and have whipped them, but we have suffered fearfully. The 14th Battery has gone up, we can muster only about forty men fit for duty. From our detachment Robert McMillan was killed instantly, J. S. Reed, Wm. C. Hall, Lucean Waters and H. F. Gaylord, badly wounded; Arthur Henderson and myself slightly. Fred Pierce was just touched on the shoulder by a ball. I am taking care of the boys.

Our guns are all gone. We were ordered to take such a position and hold it, and we did so long as we could, and would have done so until this time, if our support had not run.The regiments on our right and left supporting us, did not two hundred shots from both regiments; but as soon as the enemy were in musket range, they ran like dogs, and we stood at our guns receiving the whole fire of the enemy, who tried to silence our gun. When we were ordered to limber ——–. The rebels were not over sixty yards off, and before we could get our gun limbered, five of our six horses were killed and the six wounded. The order came to leave our gun, when we fired the load we had in at the devils. At that time I was hit on the behind and knocked down. Daniel Simms started to put down another load, but Pierce made him leave. Our boys behaved like veterans—not a man left until he was ordered. No. Six fired the last shot, and the rebels were not over thirty yards off when we left. Our guns are retaken, but were dismounted and spiked and the wheels knocked to pieces. The 14th Illinois were our rear support to cover our retreat. Had it not been for them we should all have been killed. One of our Captains, wounded, said to me, “You can never be accused of cowardice, the only fault was, you stood ground to long. I never saw guns handled so lively in such a fire. We could see the bullets strike the ground at our feet and the trees at our heads. He said that he wondered that any of us escaped alive. Our Captain was wounded the first fire. His right arm was badly shattered. We went into battle at quarter to eight, and came out, what is left of us, at eleven. The battle raged all day; and they made a desperate effort to take us at night, but were repulsed. On Monday we drove them off; and I suppose they are now in Corinth. The loss on both sides is terrible. Our killed and wounded must be six or eight thousand. Theirs must be greater still. The fought like tigers. There are over a thousand on this boat wounded. I write this by the Captain’s bedside. He is doing well. I am still in fighting order.

               Yours,    Charlie.

Ashtabula Sentinel 23 April 1862

Ashtabula Sentinel 23 April 1862

This article was published in the “Ashtabula Sentinel”
Jefferson, Ashtabula County, Ohio 23  April 1862
Page 5 Column  4
The newspaper is on microfilm at the Ashtabula Public Library.

This is part of a series on the Civil War in Ashtabula County as was reported in the Ashtabula Sentinel.