On General Morgan’s arrival we moved on to the river at a double quick, never reining our horses until dark, and then we were on the bank of the Ohio. We soon captured the picket of the forces guarding the ford, which consisted of three hundred militia from Marietta, with three field-pieces, and though strongly entrenched they left the country as soon as they heard of our arrival, leaving their guns in our charge.
Our brigade and artillery did not come up until midnight. It was then extremely dark and foggy, and knowing that we undoubtedly would have to swim a part of the way, at least, across the river, and that it would be extremely difficult to get our battery over it, it was thought advisable to delay until daylight and fair play. I am now confident that had we attempted it very many of our men would have been drowned. Every one was broken down with fatigue, and thus the delay.
Twice during the night I was ordered with twenty of Company B to cross the river in search of flatboats, but failed to secure any. If we had not been under orders, how easily we could have escaped the coming disaster, and yet we never suspected that such would be our fate.
When daylight appeared couriers from every part of the field were seen flying to headquarters. One reported that the rear was attacked, the next our right, and another, our left, and soon the engagement was general and hotly contested. Duke, with two regiments, drove General Judah’s forces back, but being struck in the flank by another force, he retreated. The enemy, so much our superior in numbers, we being reduced to not more than fifteen hundred, if that, had all the advantages, assisted by small gun-boats that had succeeded in getting above the shoals by a rise in the river. Several Yankee officers informed me afterward that over sixty thousand regular troops, not mentioning militia, home guards, bushwhackers, and armed citizens, were opposed to us on that day. However, until noon, we lost little of our position; but it was very evident that we would have to yield finally, or run for it.
Seeing this, the General knew he would have to sacrifice a part of his force to save the other. While a portion was holding the Yankees in check, under a terrible fire of shot and shell, our General made his escape up the river with the remainder. And for the first time a white flag, the sign of surrender, was seen in charge of an officer going to the enemy’s lines.
On sight of the flag the old scouts begged me to lead them out; but this I could not do, except by the permission of my superior officer, and when I asked the Colonel he refused me that liberty, saying it would be impossible or at a great sacrifice of men. I replied on behalf of the scouts that all were ready and willing to run that risk, particularly when imprisonment with all its horrors was staring us in the face. Still, the Colonel would not consent. Had we attempted without his will, and succeeded in cutting our way out, and he been captured, it would have been called a glorious deed. On the other hand, if he had, through some mysterious way, been extricated, our leaving without orders of our superior would have been branded as desertion. But the fight was over, and we prisoners of war.
I will not continue my sketch further. You are well posted as to events which have transpired since the 19th day of July, 1863, the day of our capture. I have written only a very limited account of what happened, and in a humble way; but if it pleases as well as interests her for whom it was designed, I will be richly and amply rewarded for this feeble struggle.
I will say in conclusion, my dear sister, that this unadorned outline was written and intended for your eyes alone, free from comment, for the memory of comrades gone is sacredly dear.
Very affectionately yours,
Frank.