The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-07-23
THE FIGHT IN NORTHWESTERN
VIRGINIA..


from Northwestern Virginia in regard to battles in
that direction. 1t appears that the federas, under
Gen Mcclellan, 10000 strong, attacked 5000
Confederates under 1t. Col. Pegram, at a place
called Rich Mountain. One report says that the
Southerncrs stood their ground until overpowered,
when they retreated with loss of 20 killed, Col.
Peg-am being among the number. Gen. Garnett
of Va, in command Of force at Laurel Hill, hear
ing Of Pegran,'s defeat, commenced retreating,
but too late. He was overtaken by superior
federal force and compelled to fight which he did
until he was killed, when his troops retreated in
disorder, several of whom were captured by the
enemy. Gen. Mcclellan, in despatch to Wash
ington, claims to have captured large amount Of
wagons, tents and prisoners.
Another report states that the Confederates
killed as many of the enemy they lost them
selves besides capturing 200 prisoners. 1t is also
denied that either Garnett or Pegram were killed.
We think it is certain that our forces were COM
PEELED to retreat, being overpowered by five one,
but what the loss ia has not been correctly
ascertaiEed.
A correspondent of the Richmond Wing fur
nishes that journal with some interesting details of
Col Pegram's fight and the statement pur-
ports to come from an eyewitness, We re-publsh
it as follows:
RICHMOND, July 15.-It is sad pleasure to
communicate to you statement OF affairs IN North
western Virginia that at first sight may appear dis
astrous, but which upon closer examination sheds
many a ray of satisfaction and encouragement to
our future characterization that our late ILL
success has lost to our State that portion which
should never have been defended, and encourage
ment from the fact that gallant boys fight with
so much success against thousand odds.
Camp Garnett is situated in gorge just beyond
the pass that runs between Rich and another
mountain. The low slope of this latter mountain
retreats from the camp, and consequently does not
it, but the more perpendicular slope of
Rich mountain is adjacent to the position, and
upon it there is eminence that is considered the
very key to Camp Garnett. On Tuesday last. Col
Pegram, knowing the Importance of this point,
detached three companies and gun to secure
the position at all hazards. They gtined the
height and about ten o'cock had built the breast
work to the height of two logs; meanwhile, the
enemy, guided by the Union mo untancers, had by
squads and companies reached point beyond the
breast-wolks and little more elevated Immc-
diately they commenced an attack upon our un-
finished breast work from the distance Of fifteen
hundred yards. They advanced, and fired with
Minnie rifles necessarily. No execution however,
was done with these arms. Our loss was at short
err distances from the fire of our brother Vir-
ginians. Approaching within five hundred yards,
they began to feel the fatal shots from our boys.
At this and shorter distances they were moved
down like wheat before the blade. AT every vol
ley from they fell back in confusion, but their
overwhelming numbers pressed forward until they
discharged their pieces In our very faces; then we
thought retreat better than fool-hardy DEATH and
each one sought safety in flight down the other
side of the mountain.
The whole force of the enemy was said to have
been eight thousand. Three thousand advanced
to the attack; while the were held in reserve
Part of the reserve occupied Rich Mountain,
while part descended that mountain, crossed the
pass and occupied the side of the other mountain,
not tar from the road thus being on both sides of
the road, in order, [ suppose, to cut off Col.
Pegram, if he should attempt retreat to Beverly.
Our whole force in the engagement was about two
hundred and fifty. We held the enemy in check
with this little handful an hour and half Lee
onidas, with his three hundred Spartans, could
have done no more. Our less was, considering
Ill the circumstances, comparatively small; sixty
will cover the whole The Buckinsha Lee |
Guard suffered most severely, having thirty men,
together with Capt. Irving and Lieut.. Boyd, |
killed. Capt Curry, of the Rockbrdge Guard |
md Capt Anderson, of the Lynchburg Artillery,
vic dlSo Tue Allicu IOur nuDureu Oh the |
enemy found merted doom in death.
The battle began at halfpast one, and ended at
hree. AT sunset, report says that Col. p. led six |
companies out from his camp up Rich Mountain,
10 retake his position, but installing his way he
missed his mark, and told his men to save them
selves as best they could; he would return and
bring out the regiment. In this latter attempt
he was taken prisoner. Many of his men cut
through the enemy and came up with our re siment
affair.
Now for the movements Of our (the 44th)
eSlment. Tha: morning (tbe 1lth) We resumed
our march at Beverly from Stanton to Laurel |
Hill, and had advanced Eve miles, when Col Scott
'eceived dispatch from Col. Pegram urgently
begging for assistance. Col. s. faced about, march
ID back to Beverly, and took road almost at
light angles for Rich Mountain. Within three
niles of Rich Mountain he heard the firing, and
advanced at quick time to the scene of action.
Arriving there at o'clock, when the firing had
Utmost ceased, he halted in the mountain path
And upon his six hundred unconscious men, the
'eserve of the enemy were looking down from each
They must have mistaken us for
friends, or our destruction would have been certain
Col. S. was not of tile proximity of the
'nemy until he sent forward scout to reconnoitre
This scout being shot, he Immediately ordered a
etreat. Sending on the baggage train, he returned
o Beverly. Here he halted an hour and resumed
lis march towards Cheat Mountain. After two
Nights and day march, We reached Grcenbrier
River, at which place, Saturday morning, | left
Il Il g.. ID