USA > Ohio > Union County > The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record; > Part 64
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In an engagement at Washington, Tenn., with Gen. Wheeler's cavalry, October, 1863, John Newlove, of Company D, was taken pris- oner, and of Company K, Sergt. C. Byers, E. Garner and P. E. Goff were wounded, and James Henry, Sergt. E. Young. James Stanton, David Nedrow and Fred Wedo were taken prisoners. P. E. Goff, E. Garner and Fred Wedo died in Andersonville Prison. The regi- ment then returned to Chattanooga and took part in the assauit upon Mission Ridge, where William Johnson, of Company K, was killed, and Thomas Amrine, of Company D, was wounded. After the battle of Mission Ridge, the First moved to the relief of Burnsides, at Knoxville, being the first regiment to reach that city, having several skirmishes on the way, and capturing many prisoners.
On the 16th of December a detachment of the regiment made a brilliant charge at Cal- houn upon a rebel brigade commanded by Gen. Wheeler, with a loss of one killed and three wounded, and capturing 130 prisoners.
In November, 1863, Lieut. Curry again took command of Company K, re-enlisted with the regiment in January, 1864, and after the fall of Atlanta was appointed Quartermaster of the regiment, was promoted to Captain on the 14th of December, 1864, but the company was so much reduced in numbers he could not be mustered as Captain.
After the veteran furlough the regiment was re-organized at Nashville, and on the 22d of May, 1864, started to join the advancing col- nmn of Sherman's army near Rome, Ga., en- countering the enemy near Decatur, Ala .. on the 26th, and in the skirmish which followed, Corp. Samuel Darrah, of Company K, captured
the flag of the Seventh Alabama Cavalry. Darrah was a brave and gallant soldier. After the war, he emigrated to Missouri, where he died a few years ago. On the 27th, the First Ohio took part in the engagement at Courtland, losing on this occasion five men wounded, and on the 29th participated in a severe skirmish at Moulton, with a loss of twenty killed and wounded. Of Company K, H. George was killed and L. Cooper wounded.
The regiment was in the memorable "one hundred days under fire " from Chattanooga to Atlanta, losing severely. Of Company D, Daniel Shobbell was killed near Atlanta. The losses of Company K in this campaign were Thomas Armstrong, Jeremiah Griffith and George Pearl, killed, and William Hiser, J. W. Robins and J. M. Shultz, wounded.
When Hood attempted to cut Sherman's communication between Atlanta and Chatta- nooga, the First Cavalry followed in pursuit and was engaged in several sharp fights, and when Sherman commenced preparations for his march to the sea, it joined the forces under Gen. Thomas, and after the victory at Nash- ville, rendezvoused at Gravelly Springs until March, 1865. On the Ist of April the regi- ment with Gen. Alexander's division gained a brilliant victory over Forrest's cavalry at Ebenezer's Church, Company K losing Sergt. F. P. Allen killed and John M. Shultz, wounded. On the 2d of April, Selma, Ala., was taken after a hard struggle.
The last fight of the First Ohio Cavalry was at Columbus, Ga., which was captured by a bold saber charge, Company K losing William Griffith, wounded, on this occasion.
A detachment of the First Cavalry under command of Capt. J. O. Yeoman, was with the command that captured the President of the Confederacy, among whom was John Newlove. of Company D, and J. F. Young, of Company K, both of Union County. Of the $100,000 reward paid for the capture of "Jeff Davis," Capt. Yeoman received $3,000 and Newlove and Young, $402 each.
The regiment garrisoned Georgia and South Carolina from April until September, then re- turned to Ohio and was mustered out at Camp Chase on the 28th of September, 1865, after four years' hard service, Company D having lost ten men on the field and in the hospitals. and twenty-eight taken prisoner, making a total loss of thirty-eight, and Company K hav- ing lost nine killed, twelve died in hospitals, twelve wounded and ten taken prisoner, mak- ing a total loss of forty-three.
During its term of service, Company D lost by death James Newman, Lieut. Ira Stevens and Harry Hildreth, and of Company K Martin Brant, William Newland, David Anderson, E. Garner, Fred Wedo, Francis Jones, J. S. Ewing and H. D. Warner, died.
The First Ohio Cavalry carried on its muster- roll nearly 1800 names and mustered out at Camp Chase 701 men. It has a long roll of gallant heroes who were klled on the field of
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battle, many wasted and died of diseases in the hospitals and prison pens of the South. Of those mustered out of service eighteen years ago, many are sleeping their last sleep in honored graves. Col. T. J. Patton was killed in a railroad collision on the Louisville & Memphis Railroad. Maj. J. W. Scott, Maj. J. C. Frankenberger, Lieut. A. Overly, Lieut. T. Scott, Capt. L. Pickering and Sergeon John Cannan are all dead. Thus one by one they are being mustered out of life's service. This regiment has written in characters of blood upon its battle-flag, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Kenesaw, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy and skirmishes numbered by the score. True, it was no braver nor better than other regiments. Its roll of honored dead was no larger than many others, but it never failed to respond to any call that was made upon it. The unnumbered and un- lettered graves of the Fiist Ohio are scattered over every battle-field of the Army of the Cum- berland.
COMPANY A.
Corp. S. J. Robertson, e. March 31, 1863, disc. September 13, 1865.
COMPANY D.
Sergt. Thomas H. Amrine, e. August 31, 1861, wounded at Mission Ridge, disc. September 13, 1865.
Sergt. John Newlove, e. August 26, 1861, taken prisoner at Washington, Tenn., October, 1864, disc. September 13, 1865.
Sergt. L. L. Scott, e. August 26, 1861, disc. October 6, 1864.
Sergt. Alvin Thompson, e. August 26, 1861, disc. October 6, 1864.
Corp. M. O. Cole, e. August 26, 1861, disc. September 13, 1865.
Corp. Chas. J. Scott, e. August 26, 1861, disc. September 13, 1865.
Barbour, John, e. August 26, 1861, died at Marysville, Ohio, October 6, 1862.
Burrows, Enoch, e. August 26, 1861, disc. September 13, 1865.
Cross, Robert, e. 1861.
Cole, Joshua, e. August 26, 1861, disc. September 13, 1865. Chapman, G. W., e. August, 1861, disc. October, 1864.
Foot, Horace L., e. August 26, 1861, disc. October, 1864. Hildreth, Harry, e. August 26, 1861.
Halliday, Thomas, e. August 26, 1861, disc. September 13, 1865.
Irvin, R. W., e. August 31, 1861, disc. June 20, 1865, wounded at Blackland Mississippi,
Kipp, William H., e. August 5, 1861.
Lansdown, Marion, e. August 26, 1861, disc. 1862.
Lee, Howard, disc. at Corinth, Mississippi.
Montgomery, H. D., e. September 5, 1861, disc. September 13, 1865.
Montgomery. G. W., e. September 5, 1861.
Montgomery, B. B., e. September, 1863.
Martin, John, e. August 31, 1864.
Newgent, William, e. August 26, 1861, disc. September 13, 1865. Died at home.
Powers, William.
Powers, J. W., e. March 9, 1864, disc. September 13, 1865.
Tracy, D., e. August 31, 1861, disc. September 13, 1865.
Turner, Taylor, e. Feb. 23, 1864, disc. September 13, 1865.
COMPANY E.
McKim, John, e. August, 1861, disc. September 13, 1865.
COMPANY 11.
Pyers, Emett, e. August 26, 1861, disc. September 13, 1865.
COMPANY K.
Capt. William L. Curry, e. September 8, 1861, taken pris- oner at Courtland, Ala., July, 1862, promoted Second Lieutenant June 16, 1862, First Lieutenant March 31, 1863, and Captain December 14, 1864; disc. December 30, 1864.
Capt. James Cutler, e. September 30, 1861, taken prisoner at Courtland, Ala., July, 1862, disc. April 20, 1863.
Sergt. Franklin P. Allen, e. September 13, 1861, killed at Ebenezer Church, Ala., April 1, 1865, promoted First Lieutenant March, 1865.
Sergt. Cornelius Byers, e. August, 1861, taken prisoner at Washington, Tenn., September 30, 1863. In Libby and Andersonvillo seventeen months.
Sergt. Patterson Bradley, e. September 23, 1861.
Sergt. A. S. Chears, e. September 24, 1861, disc. October 6, 1864.
Sergt. John W. Chapin, e. September 24, 1861, wounded at Chickamauga, Ga., September 20, 1863, disc. October 6, 1864.
Sergt. C. S. Irwin, e. April 23, 1861, Sixteenth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, three months, disc. August 18, 1861 ; e. September 27, 1861, wounded at Chickamauga, Ga., September 20. 1863, disc. September 13, 1865.
Sergt. James W. Robbins, e. October 1, 1861, wounded at Atlanta, Ga., August 27, 1864, disc. September 13 1865.
Sergt. A. L. Sesler, e. October 26, 1861, taken prisoner at Courtland, Ala., July, 1862, disc. September 13, 1865.
Sergt. Elliott Young, e. September 23, 1861, taken pris- oner at Washington, Teun., September 30, 1863, in Libby and Andersonville prisons seventeen months, disc. March 14, 1865.
Corp. William Griffith, e. September 24, 1861, wounded at Columbus, Ga., April 16, 1865, disc. September 13, 1865.
Corp. A. A. Hill, e. February 15, 1862, disc. September 13, 1865.
Corp. William B. Harriott, e. February 26, 1864, disc September 9, 1865.
Corp. A. W. Lock, e. October 1, 1861, wounded at Perry- ville, Ky., October, 1862.
Corp. John M. Shultz, e. September 22, 1861, wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June, 1864, and at Ebenezer Church, Ala., April 1, 1865, disc. September 13, 1865.
Corp. John F. Young, e. September 28, 1861, wounded at
Chickamauga, Ga., September 20, 1863, disc. September 13, 1865.
Armstrong, Thomas, e. August 13, 1861, killed at Atlanta, Ga., August, 1864.
Anderson, David, e. September 23, 1861, died at Corinth, Miss., May, 1862.
Bull, Eugene M., e. February 26, 1864, disc. September 13, 1865.
Brant, Martin, e. September 25, 1861, died at Louisville, Ky., January, 1862.
Bidwell, M., e. February 27, 1864, dis. September 13, . 1865.
Clark, S. P., taken prisoner at Courtland, Ala .. July, 1862.
Clements, J. C., e. September 22, 1861.
Chapman, S. W., e. September 26, 1861.
Corporal Darrah, Samuel, e. September 24, 1861, cap- tured flag of Seventh Alabama Cavalry, at Decatur, Ala., May 26, 1864, died in Missouri.
Evans, E. D., e. February 26, 1864, disc. September 13, 1865.
Ewing, James S., e. February, 1864, died at Columbus, Ohio, March 19, 1864.
Fox, Henry C., e. September 3, 1861.
Gill, James, e. October 20, 1861, died at Corinth, Miss. July, 1862.
George, llannibal, e. February 26, 1864, killed at Moul- ton, Ala., May 29, 1864.
Goff, Presley E., e. October 15, 1861, wounded at Wash- ington, Tenn., died in Andersonville Prison.
Garner, Edward, died in Andersonville Prison.
Garner, A. M., e. February 26, 1864, disc. September 13, 1865.
Griffith, Jeremiah, e. February 16, 1864, killed at Kene- saw Mountain, Ga., June 16, 1864.
Henry, James, e. September, 1861. taken prisoner at Washington, Tenn., September 30, 1863, in Libby and Andersonville Prisons.
Hiser, William, e. August 15, 1861, wounded at Chicka- manga, Ga., September, 1863, died of wounds received at Lovejoy, Ga., August 21, 1864.
Hill, Edward A., e. August 15 1861, killed at Paint Rock, Ala., December 1863.
Hill, Augustus, e. February, 1864, disc. September 28, 1865.
Hahn, D. G., e, March 29, 1865, disc. September 13, 1865. Jones, Francis, e. February 26, 1864, drowned in Cottou Indian Creek, Ga., August 21, 1864.
Johnson, William, e. November 24, 1861, killed at Cleveland Tennessee, November 24, 1863.
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MILITARY RECORD.
Lucas, B. F., e. September 27, 1861, killed at Courtland, Ala., July 23, 1862.
Newland, William, drowned in Cumberland River, near Clarksville, Tenn., March, 1862.
Nedrow, David, e. September 10, 1861, taken prisoner at Washington, Tenn., September, 1863, disc. January 26, 1865.
Orr, A. S,, e. September 18, 1861, killed at Chickamauga, Ga., September 20, 1863.
Pearl, George, e. September 22, 1861, killed at Lovejoy, Ga., August 20, 1864.
Rueblen, S. H., e. November 28, 1861, disc. December 4, 1864.
Ruehlen, William, e. September 28, 1861, disc. September 13, 1865.
Robbins, D. M., e. February 26, 1864, disc. September 13, 1865.
Robbins, Z. S., e. February 23, 1864, disc. January 12, 1865.
Stamats, M. E., e. October 1, 1861, disc. October, 1864. Spicer, O. L., e. October 1, 1861.
Thompson, M. F., e. February 23, 1864, disc. June 16, 1865.
Thompson, Milton L., e. February 23, 1864, disc. June 26, 1865.
Tway, L. B., e. October 26, 1861, disc. September 13, 1865.
Wedo, Frederick, e. September 24, 1861. Died in Ander- sonville prison.
Warner, H. D., e. February 25, 1864. Died at Nashville, Tenn., April 2, 1864.
Veterinary Surgeon John F. Winters, e. September 25, 1861, disc. October 6, 1864. Taken prisoner at Court- land, Ala., July 25, 1862.
THIRD OHIO CAVALRY.
The Third Ohio Cavalry was organized in September, 1861, under Col. Lewis Zahm. It operated with Buell in Tennessee, took part in the siege of Corinth and was engaged in the battle of Chickamauga. It joined Sherman's Atlanta campaign, participating in the engage- ment at Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek and De- catur. After the fall of Atlanta it followed in pursuit of Hood, fighting at Franklin and Nashville; then joined the Wilson raid through Alabama and Georgia, losing heavily at Selma. This regiment was mustered out August 14, 1865.
Hill, N. N.
COMPANY D.
COMPANY F.
Wood, Frank.
FIFTH OHIO CAVALRY.
The Fifth Ohio Cavalry was organized in August, 1861, under Col. H. H. Taylor. It took an active part in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, the siege of Corinth, and in the eu- gagement at Davis' Mill. It was present at the battle of Chattanooga, and followed Sherman to Knoxville. It joined the Atlanta campaign, and having lost most of its horses, acted as in- fantry. It was attached to Kilpatrick's com- mand, and with him marched to the sea, and moved through the Carolinas, fighting and raiding all the way. After the war, this regi- ment served in North Carolina until mustered out October 30, 1865.
COMPANY H. Sergt. Miles Gregory, e. February, 1862, disc. 1865. Carter, John.
COMPANY C.
Gleason, Charles. Heuninger, Joseph.
COMPANY M.
Lyttle, Samuel, e. December 26, 1863, disc. November 21, 1865.
COMPANY K.
Weldon, Robert, e. August 10, 1864, disc. 1865, wounded at Deep Bottom, Va.
SIXTHI OHIO CAVALRY.
The Sixth Ohio Cavalry was organized in Oc- tober, 1861, under Col. William R. Lloyd. It served in the Shenandoah Valley, and was en- gaged in the battles of Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain and the second Bull Run. It took part in the advance on Fredericksburg, and in the battles of Kelly's Ford and Gettysburg. It participated in a number of engagements in Meade s advance on the Rapidan. In the spring of 1864, the Sixth joined Grant's ad- vance on Richmond, taking part in the many hard-fought battles culminating in the fall of that place. It was mustered out in August, 1865.
COMPANY M.
Bugler T. W. Burns, e. December 1, 1863, disc. June 27, 1865, taken prisoner at Vaughn's Road, 1864, wounded at Habaker's Run, 1865.
COMPANY C.
McClurg, John, e. June 18, 1861, disc. 1864.
SEVENTH OHIO CAVALRY.
This regiment was organized October 3, 1862, under Col. Israel Garrard. It operated in Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina, and in July, 1864, joined Sherman's Atlanta cam- paign, fighting almost daily. After the fall of that city it moved north and met the enemy at Franklin and Nashville, then followed in the pursuit of Hood across the Tennessee. In March, 1865, it joined Wilson's raid, fighting its way to Selma, Ala., and while pursuing the enemy to Andersonville, the news of Lee's sur- render was received. The Seventh Ohio was mustered out July 4, 1865.
COMPANY A.
Baxley, W. H.
COMPANY F.
Sergt. J. S. Howland, e. October 8, 1862, disc. 1865, wounded at Dandridge, Tenn., December 31, 1863.
EIGHTH OHIO CAVALRY.
The Eighth Ohio Cavalry was organized March 28, 1864, under Col. Samuel A. Gilbert. It moved to Virginia, and in June joined Averill's raid on Lynchburg. It engaged the enemy at Liberty, aud again at Beverly. A part of the regiment participated in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek.
In January, 1865, the enemy surprised the camp and captured 500 officers and men. They were taken to Libby Prison, where they re- mained until exchanged in February. The regiment was mustered out in August, 1865.
COMPANY E.
Price, E. L., e. December, 1863, disc. July 30, 1865.
COMPANY F.
Slagle, James F., e. March 7, 1864, disc. July 30, 1865.
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COMPANY I.
McNier, Willlam H., e. April 14, 1864, disc. July 30, 1865, died at home in 1868.
NINTH OHIO CAVALRY.
The organization of this regiment was com- menced in December, 1862. In April, 1863, four companies, designated as the First Bat- talion of the Ninth Ohio Cavalry, entered the field in Kentucky ; but it was not until Decem- ber, 1863, that the regiment was completed by the organization of the Second and Third Bat- talions. It moved to Athens, Ala., to patrol the Tennessee River.
In July, 1864, it joined the Atlanta cam- paign, marched to the sea, fighting at Waynes- boro ; moved through the Carolinas, partici- pating in the engagements at Aiken, Averys- boro, Bentonville and Raleigh, and after Johns- ton's surrender, was mustered out August 2, 1865.
COMPANY C.
Sergt. James McCune, e. 1862, disc. 1865.
COMPANY G.
Bailey, S. S., e. June, 1863, disc. August, 1865.
TENTH OHIO CAVALRY.
The Tenth Ohio Cavalry was organized in October, 1862, under Col. Charles C. Smith. It operated with the Army of the Cumberland in Tennessee, participated in the battle of Chick- amauga, and was actively engaged in all of Kilpatrick's movements during the Atlanta campaign. It followed Sherman to the sea, fightingat Macon, Griswoldsville, Waynesboro, and other places along the route; then moved north through the Carolinas. It was mustered out July 24, 1865.
COMPANY A.
Flowers, Edward, e. December 4, 1862, disc. July 24, 1865.
Voris, John H., e. December 4, 1862, died at Sweetwater, Ga., August 16, 1864, of wounds.
COMPANY B.
Saddler Heath Stewart, e. October 17, 1862, taken prison er November 24, 1864.
Powell, Henry, e. October 7 1862, disc. 1865.
Smith, M. B., e. October 10, 1862, disc. July 24, 1865.
Turner, William N., e. February 10, 1863, died -
Tenn., June 28, 1863.
COMPANY C.
Mullen, Daniel, e. February 25, 1864, disc. July 24, 1865
COMPANY D.
Mattox, John A., Co. D, e. May 7, 1861, disc. June 17, 1865.
Wright, Alonzo, e. September 17,1864, disc. July 24, 1864.
COMPANY E.
Sergt. J. P. Martin, e. August 18, 1862, disc. October 18, 1865.
COMPANY M.
Sergt. Thomas Moore, e. June 6, 1863, disc. January 24, 1865, died at Richwood, Ohio, in 1868.
Corp. Sherman McBratney, e. April 7, 1863, disc. July 24, 1865.
Bosh, James D., e. June 7, 1863, disc. July 24, 1865. Bosh, W. J., e. June 7, 1863, disc. July 24, 1865.
George, James S., e. April 10, 1862, July 24, 1865. Linder, Wallace, e. April 1, 1863, disc. July 2, 1864.
Linder, William W., e. April 6, 1863, disc. July 24, 1865. McIntire, Darius, e. June 1, 1863, disc. November 2, 1864,
ELEVENTH OHIO CAVALRY.
This regiment was organized by battalions; the organization being completed in July, 1862, was assigned to Indian warfare. It had about 1,000 miles of country to picket and was en- gaged in almost innumerable skirmishes. The ground of its operations was in the center of the Rocky Mountains, and embraced portions of Nebraska, Dakota, Colorado, Utah, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. The first Battalion was mustered out April 1, 1865 and the remaining companies not until July, 1866.
COMPANY C.
Corp. Anson Baughman, e. December 12, 1861, disc. April 1, 1865.
Benedict, W. II., e. August 25, 1864, disc. 1865.
COMPANY F.
Benedict, John B., e. 1861, disc. 1862.
COMPANY G.
Sergt. Calvin Holbrook, e. June 12, 1863.
Finch, S. J., e. June 12, 1863, disc. 1865. Gearheart George, e. June 10, 1863.
COMPANY K.
Ports, William, e. February 23, 1864, disc. July 14, 1866.
TWELFTH 01110 CAVALRY.
The order for raising this important regi- ment was issued on the 20th of August, 1863. So zealous were the officers instructed with this care, and so filled with patriotic impulses were the true men that responded to the call that on the 24th day of November, 1863, the regiment was organized complete and ready for what- ever duty awaited it. The men furnished from Union County were assigned to Company C.
While the organizaiton was yet incomplete, six companies were called to Johnson's Island to guard prisoners and meet, if need be, the threatened invasion of rebels from Canada, in- tent on releasing the 3,000 imprisoned rebel officers there. The companies thus employed were A, C, D, F, I and L. The other companies were quartered at Camp Chase until February, 1864, when the whole regiment was brought together at Camp Dennison. Here it was mounted, armed and vigorously drilled' until the 27th day of March, when it started to the front and entered upon its memorable career.
Its first duty was to assist Gen. Burbridge in breaking up the armed bands of guerrillas and bushwhackers in Kentucky. Scattering itself over that State, it soon became a terror to marauders and rebel sympathizers, dispersed the guerrillas and restored order.
This task accomplished with commendable promptness, the Twelth joined in an expedition against Saltville, Va. But after a toilsome journey of several days, it was halted and turned about to make one of the most rapid marches known to warfare, traveling over 180 miles in fifty hours. It struck the rebel forces at Mt. Sterling, Ky., on the 9th of June, 1864, and gallantly led the charge. In this battle the regiment fought many times its number, but never for a moment wavered. At one time sixty men of the Third Battaliou,
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MILITARY RECORD.
mostly from Company C, fought a rebel regi- ment for thirty minutes, losing many precious lives, but holding its ground till help came. Of this devoted little band, Union County fur- nished Joseph Smith, Hylas S. Moore and J. L. Cameron, others now living here Edward Routs, Fredrick Keller, Uriah Jolley and John Van Pearse, of Company M.
For its gallantry the Twelth was compli- mented at the close of the fight by Gen. Bur- bridge, who remarked that it had saved the ' day for him. These laurels were dearly bought for the loss of the regiment all told was 197 men. Of these were Maj. Moderwell, shot through the abdomen, (afterward recovered) ; Capt. Hunter, through shoulder; Orderly Sergt. Alfred Wetterige and Corp. Conner, killed, and many others of Company C wounded, among whom were J. O. Sweet, Peter Black, William Blue, Jefery Williams and Bently Williams.
The battle lasted all day, and at night the regiment remained on the battle-field. Com- pany C, chosen for special guard duty, got no rest. Three days and nights' marching and fighting was now to be followed by a gallop of thirty-three miles to Lexington on the 10th ; fresh horses drawn and on to Paris, Ky., on the 11th. Awaiting here for supplies and am- munition until evening, the regiment again mounted and forward for a nights' march to Cynthiana. Early on the morning of the 12th of June, while darkness was yet so dense that the lurid jets of powder flame blazed from the carbines, the regiment was leading the charge again in battle, sustaining itself heroically, and gaining a complete victory in this engage- ment. On the 14th of June the regiment re- ceived the thanks and congratulations of Presi- dent Lincoln and the Secretary of War, and was again complimented for its gallantry by the commanding General.
Again braking into detacliments, the Twelfth scattered over Kentucky, dispersing marauders and keeping order, until the month of Septem- ber, when it concentrated at Mount Sterling and again started with Gen. Burbridge's expe- dition to Saltville, Va.
The expedition led over 300 miles without provision trains, tents or ambulances, was cause of much privation, and on the 2d of Octo- ber was again at its accustomed place leading the advance into one of the most hotly con- tested battles of the war.
The rebel fortifications were in the deep mountain gorges and rendered operations by mounted men impossible, yet, dismounted, the Twelfth made again and again its famous car- bine charges and reaching well up to the ene- mies' works. All day long the battle raged in the mountain fastness, but toward the close of the day ammunition was exhausted and the rebel forces re-enforced by 5,000 of Gen. Early's fresh troops, and Gen. Burbridge was compelled to abandon the expedition. Company C had all day been doing duty on the body guard of Gen. McLane and its couriers dashed here and there through the battle carrying orders. A
rapid retreat began, and as it still had ammu- nition Company C was detailed a special guard for the rear, and many times during that dis- astrous night and the following day did this devoted little band halt in the mountain passes and hold the pursuing foe in check while the retreating column hurried on.
Forty-nine men of the Twelfth lay dead or wounded on the field of battle of this eventful day.
Returning to Lexington the regiment re-or- ganized, drew fresh horses and supplies, and on the 10th of November was again in the saddle marching toward Cumberland Gap.
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