New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-17

of Colonel Lander as allow the artillery 10 advance
to the front; then advanced Immediately IN inc rear @
when the picket of the enemy opeaed brisk IRE upon
MS from the nights Immediately above the town, anl
from the woods and bushes both sides Of the road.
Lieute nant- Colonel Sturges, with great promptnese.
got the guns in position 10 command the town, and
under the direction Of Colonel Lander Think opene1
the fire. A moments delay to the infantry was 90.
casioned by of know ledge part as to which
Of the two roads led TO the bridge leading iAto the
town across the river. At the forks of the road
halted my command and riding rapidly to the guns,
got the desired information from Colonel Lander. 80
Informed, proceeded on the double-quick down the
declivity of the hill, and here had full view Of the
enemy and must confess that never saw Tight
determined on with greater promptness or executed
with more dispatch. The enemy under the com.
mand of Colonel g. A. Por'erfeld What his strength
was is variously estimated: Op my own judgment
would say 800 to 1900, Of which would think S0o
were cavalry.
They had no artillery but swivel. have con-
versed with many of the citizens OF the town az to the
strength of Col. Poterfelds command. Some say the
Colonel himself professed to have 800 troops. IL
my opinion that be had but magnied bis own strength
with view to ntmidate the people and crush OUT tas
Union sentiment.
When first saw the enemy, 1t seemed to me he We
pushing for the bridge which rapidly approach.
iug but it turned out that it necessary tn con-
verge toward the bridge TO gain the street leading c@
my command. The bridge Is a narrow structure, Sons
three four hundred feet in length, spanning the
Valley River, branch Of the Monopgahela. smaR
body of determined troops could have impeded oes
progress and crippled the bridge and apprehended
resistance at this point. Toward it my men poured
down the hill in good order and with an energy and
determination that assured in advance that victory
was certain. In a moment was at the mouth OF The
bridget one Of the passages barcaded, the other
clear; through 1t Company b., commanded by Capt.
MOI gan in advsnce my men pushed; the Seventh Ia
diana first, then Colonel Steednans command nos 10;
opened upon the enemy then retreating Ia wild dis
order. Both parties being upon the foil rnn ana the
distance between them being quite considerable, BOB
little execution could be done. pursued the enemy
from the bridge through the town and for several miles
beyond AT ono time 1 thought l shonA
be able to capture his entire baggage train;
but the horses to prevent TIL, were e,, Guy
and the wagons and contents left az our booty The
wagons were filled with munitions Of war, blsnketas
kuapsacks, clothing, baggage OF officers and men, ana
with considerable amount OF flour and forage. having
pursued The assault and pursuit Of the enemy, speak
particularly of these ocer because, being OF my I'M
mediate command, their conduct was under my per.
sonal observation, and because, thrown suddenly IN
command of different deacbments OF troops TO the cn-
GERS of which am a stranger am unable to mentioa
the names Of many whose bearing and courage are
worthy of praise. the detachment Of the Fourieeoth
Regiment If Ohio Volunteers, commanded by Colonel
Steedman, crossed the bridge immediately after ths
Seventh Indiana, and was followed quickly by the
SIKH Indiana, under Colonel Crittenden. Colood
Steedman captured large amount OF te Is, nomoee
believe some prisoners. We were separated during
TIE engagement but bis conduct az we'll as that OF nn
officers and men, Is spoken OF with much praise ~
those who witnessed IT, Lieutenant-Co Sturges o!
the regiment, in charge OF the artillery msnsgeo
his guns with great CELEBRITY. l understand that b
was assisted and directed by Colonel Lander, Dy epe-
cial delegation from the Commanding General 80 In,
formed did not myself give any directions In reg .o
placed in the rear for he left the at Webster ster
tedious journey but TO take up bis march on PbhPP
his men marching 10 the in the darkness OF id-
nigot and in the raging storm, woaio necessary -
Still. they and their gallant commander held
up with unfaltering spirit, aud did IS great ser-
vice in the fight and cause as 1t was Possible iof
GOOD officers and men to do. While descending
the hill toward the bridge, body Of troops made
their appearance, on the nights TO the left. "A
friendly cheer assured it wss the command OF tne
gallant Col. Milroy and the LIST Virginia Regimens
Commanded by Col. Kelly, and detachment from Col
Irvine's Ohio regiment. rapid descent GOWN III
decvty enabled them to strike the retreating enemy
but with much effect as the a. scent couio
been made q few minutes sooner. Col uilroy acsaft.
ed that part of The enemy who had LETT the main ro8o
and betook themselves TO the bills to enjoy the poec
ton of the trees while Col. Kelly and Irvines COM
mand pursued the enemy the man road leading to.
ward Beverly. They succeeded in overtaking, killing
and wounding number, but unfortunately Col heny
himself fell severely wounded by pistol shot 10 the
breast; my men carried him into the towh, wee, sur
gca assistance was Immediately rendered by DIR. Geo.
". New, of my regiment, who had proved himself 70
gallant and courageous in the field a, he skiui IN
his profession. just before we had approached me
the town he volunteered to make reconnaissance q
the bridge and bore my messages along the ioe 70,
pestedly, seemingly unmineful Of bis own personal
safety.
Cant. @. w. Robinson of Col. Kelly's CON nand, ~
ports to me that be captured Capt. j. w Wiley OF the
Rebel army and upon bis person found hls comniso.
from Adjuant. zen. Garnet VI the Rebel forces and
other papers of Importance which DO reports ne nol
snbiect 10 my order. enclose his report. IL perhaps
is not my province TO speak much OF that part OF the
expedition which marched by way Of Evansville, IN
der the command of Col Kelly, eonisting Of Kelly.
Milroy and Irving and their commands. know aosh-
ing personally Of their march prior TO arriving beffs
PhiIppi and only speak OF what myself saw. Ihs
two commands or bodies OF troops arrived almost mni-
taneously uron different hills overhangng the town,
aud cid all that could be done 10 arrest the flight and
punish the enemy. 49,
/ o,ly undertake 10 report the particulars Of that
part Of The expedition under my immediate com mhnd,
AMI which marched upon Philippi by way Of Webster
and the bridge SPEAK of the part Of the expeditions
commanded by Colonies Kelly, hiiroy and irvioe only
because Col Key's condition Is such az TO render
Report from him impossible. In doing 90 may have
made some mistakes but not Intentionally. hsrrwitA
hand to you the reports made TO me by C'oneis Crt-
| tendon MAroy aud Stecdman. Our loss Was two
wounded and two missing; what the enemys ioee Was
is not certainly known, IA he succeeded la carrying on
many Of his dead. Il incousiderabe, perhaps noe
10 exceed forty have heard the conduct Of Jonathan
| w. Gordon OF Col. Miroy's command, spoken OF In
terms of decided appreciation by the officers OF the
same command. Since have been here te bed =
small mounted scouting party on hazardous eIpedi-
ton and performed 1t in very satisfactory manner
| David w. Cheek, Comulissary and Quarternaders
Clerk st nv instance mounted horse aud rode at ny
side bore messages and rendered very valuable sss
yces aud prov ed himself brave and courageous The
eors by the ladies Of Aurora 10 the seventh
Indiana regiment were the Stars and Stripes which
| first foated over the town.
The di.union Gag was captured by Captain Ferry's
command. OF nv regiment, and the Stars and Stnpss