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| Raymond, Mississippi | |
[Back] [Next] [Up] 'Civil War' segment written in July, 1998 by Rich Wallace |
Many smaller engagements were
interspersed among the major battles. These skirmishes hardly drew attention in the
newspapers of the time or the history books that followed. However, the results were just
as deadly for those who took part in them. One such skirmish involving Shelby County
soldiers of the 20th Ohio occurred outside of Raymond. The men who were there would never
forget. Osborn Oldroyd had just been appointed Fifth Sergeant of Company E of the 20th. It was May 12, 1863, and Oldroyd was 20 years old. The following account is taken from his diary, published in 1885. The 20th was placed in the lead of a column heading toward Raymond. Going cross country, the men had just slid down the bank of a creek seven feet high and were in the water when the Confederates launched a surprise attack. The 20th had nowhere to go in retreat. Oldroyd recalled: "For two hours the contest raged furiously, but as man after man dropped dead or wounded, the rest were inspired the more firmly to hold fast their places and avenge the fallen. The creek was running red with precious blood spilt for our country." Sgt. Oldroyd watched as his bunkmate, Sgt. John Waddell, was killed by a shot to the head. After the Lieutenant and the orderly sergeant were killed, Oldroyd found himself in charge of what was left of his company. Col. Manning Force, the commanding officer of the 20th, recalled in memoirs after the war: "I remember noticing the forest leaves, cut by rifle balls, falling in thick eddies, still as snow flakes." |