[422]
from Connersville, Ind., I started on the retreat.
Our plan was to leave the highway.
and stop at some country house in the interior, where we would at least be out of danger.
After progressing a mile or two, and observing that there were no indications of a stampede among the wagoners, we concluded to return to the main road and take our chances with the rest.
When almost three miles from town, the train came to a halt, and a squad of cavalry dashed by to reconnoitre the road.
In a few minutes they returned flying, announcing that the enemy were in our advance, and ordering all the cavalry, of which there was quite a number near us, to the front.
The effect of this intelligence can be imagined.
The cavalry, instead of obeying the order, dismounted and took the fields, an example which was speedily followed by the teamsters, and every body else.
After scampering across the fields in the direction of Richmond, the correspondent of the Commercial and myself, both pretty thoroughly exhausted, sought shelter behind a clump of hay-stacks, as the safest place we could find, and there awaited our capture, which we knew must now come, sooner or later.
The reason why the rebels did not pursue our men after the battles below Richmond was now apparent.
They knew they had us in their power, and wishing to capture the entire army, they had been playing with us all day, in order to give their cavalry time to make a circuit of the country and come in on the Lexington road, some distance above town, thereby closing the mouth of the bag into which they were slowly but steadily driving us. A few of their small howitzers had also been moved with their cavalry, and were now playing upon such of our men as still remained in the road.
This move was a masterly one, and might have been anticipated, although it could not have been prevented.
It resulted in the capture of two or three thousand men, all our artillery, and the entire wagon train.
Later in the evening a body of our men — how many I am unable to say — attempted to effect their escape by the main road; and when in the vicinity of a dirt road, which branches off from the Lexington pike about four miles above town, were ambushed by a body of Scott's cavalry, and some fifteen or twenty of them killed.
Here Lieutenant-Colonel Wolfe fell.
He had been taken prisoner, and was about delivering his sword to a rebel officer when a stray bullet struck him on the head, and laid him dead at his enemy's feet.
Thus were the battles near Richmond fought and lost.
Telmah.
--Cincinnati Gazette.
