Originally published in the Perrysburg Journal, July 27, 1864, p. 3
Annapolis Junction, Md.
July 19, 1864.
Ere this, your readers are doubtless aware that Company I, Capt. McKee, and Company B, Capt. Black, of the 144th Ohio, were engaged in the Battle of Monocacy on Saturday July 9th. Although it was known here, more than a week since, that these companies were in the battle. I have heretofore omitted writing anything concerning them because, until recently, it has been almost impossible to obtain any reliable information concerning the condition of the companies, or the casualties they sustained; and even now I can only give such information as I have been able to glean from conversation with different members of the companies engaged. No one, however, whom I have yet seen pretends to be able to give a complete list of the casualties-but the following are all which I have yet learned:.
Ebenezer Coen, Company B, killed. He was shot in the head, during a charge in the early part of the engagement, and died instantly..
Capt. McKee, Co.I, flesh wound between knee and ankle..
I.N. Kelly, Co.I, is said to have died of "sunstroke" during the retreat..
Sergeant Lewis, Company B, wounded in the left arm near shoulder, slight. He is in hospital in Frederick City, doing well..
Elias Benn, Co.B, wounded in back..
Wm. Barton, Co.I, was slightly wounded and is at Annapolis..
I am told that most of the above wounded remain in hospital at Frederick, and if others were wounded, they probable remain there..
The Ohio "One Hundred Day's Men" engaged in the battle were parts of the 144th and 149th Regiment under command of the Colonel of the 149th. If I am correctly informed the main body of our army during the battle was in the vicinity of Monocacy Junction, but these One Hundred Day's men were thrown out as skirmishers to the northward nearly to Frederick City, two or three miles from the main army. There they fought, holding superior numbers in check, for 8 hours until the main army retreated, and the Rebels appeared on their right and left as well as in front; yet they did not cease fighting until their commanding officer told them to save themselves as best they could. Then commenced, I am told, and unceremonious retreat-every man for himself. Many of the boys, however, continued firing as they ran until the Rebels got so close to them that they had to throw away their guns to escape..
Many were compelled to take to the woods, and remain secreted, or travel far in the opposite direction, to avoid the Rebels. In this manner, the companies became very much scattered-and it is owing to this fact that so little can now be learned as to the number of prisoners taken by the Rebels, or who were injured during the fight..
Lieut. Weddell, of Company I, is a prisoner..
Lieut. Kimberlin, of Company I succeeded in escaping, although closely pursued. In company with three of his men- Chris Baker, Ogeda Wade, and Wm. Winnup-he traveled northward and arrived at Gettysburg, Pa. Monday evening. Near that place he met Wm. H. Minton and Urban Love of Company B. Altogether, there were nearly one hundred officers and men from different companies and regiments who arrived at Gettysburg. Whenever they made inquiries, they heard of Rebels being east of them-which prevented their sooner reaching a point from which they could return to Baltimore..
Captain Black of Company B was at first reported a prisoner, but he arrived at the Relay House on Wednesday evening last..
From the statements of different persons, I believe that nearly three-fourths of each of the companies have already returned, all right, and more are yet coming in..
The regiment, with the exception of the companies of Captain Smith and Captain Cook, went to Washington, three or four days since..
I cannot at present only briefly allude to the doings of Company F during the late raid. On Saturday 9th inst., the firing of the battle of Monocacy was distinctly heard in camp, and I need not attempt to tell how ardently we all hoped for the success of our arms. About 8 P.M., a dispatch was received stating that our forces were badly beaten and falling back in confusion before the Rebels, who were rapidly advancing. We had been ready to "march on short notice," since the morning of the 4th, and it was then expected that we should soon receive orders to move to the "front" would soon move up to Annapolis Junction-as parties of Rebel cavalry were then only a few miles distant. Captain Cook immediately placed the company in condition to meet either emergency-either march when orders came or to promptly return any compliments which the Rebels might tender us. We slept on our arms at night and kept strict watch by day until Tuesday 12th inst., when we ere ordered to Annapolis, as an attack was expected there. We remained there until Friday when we were ordered to return here-and here we are!.
For further particulars of the movements of Company F, I refer your readers to a letter from Captain Cook to Lieut. Col. Miller, a copy of which I send you for publication..
E.L. Palmer of Captain Hathaway's company, this regiment, died at Relay Barracks Hospital, of typhoid fever, on Thursday last, 14th inst. He was, I believe, a resident of Freeport, Wood County.
H.S.C.
