Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-09-13

A BATTLE IN WESTERN VIRGINIA.
The Federal Trssps under Gen Rssecraps
Summerviiie, west Of Gaaley Rivera
Fierce Csnfiict-Fieyd Retreats In the
Night, Leaving ali his Camp Equipsge,
&c behind him.
CLARksBURe, VA, Sept. IA battle CON-
menced between the Federal troops and the en-
envy at O'Clock on Tuesday afternoon. near
Summerville
Gen. Rosecrans, after taking a reconnaissance.
teen field pieces, to be entrenchsd In a powerful
position on the top of the mountain at Cannax
Ferry, on the west side OF Gauley river The
rear and extreme of both TANKS were inaccessi-
pie The front was masked by heavy forests and
close jungles. -.
Col Lyttles' 10th Ohio Regiment Of Benham's
Brigade was In advance and drove strong de-
side Of the position, the state Of which was ln-
Known. Shortly afterwards his scouts consist
Ing OF four companies, suddenly discovered
themselves In the face Of a parapet battery and a
long line of palisades for rifemen, when the bat
tie opened fercely.
The remainder Of the 10th and 18th Ohio regi
ments were then brought into action successfully
afterwards by Capt. Hartsuf, whose object was
an armed reconnaissance .E.....a
The enemy played upon our forces terriHcally
with ,musaetry, canister and she'll
Col Lyttle led several companies Of Irishmen
to charge the battery, when he was brought down
by shot in the leg
Col Smiths 18th Ohio engaged the enemy on
the left, and Col Lones 18th Ohio directly in the
front. Colonel Lone fell dead at the head Of his
regiment, early In the hottest Of the fre by re-
ceiving ball in the forehead.
Capt McMullin's howitzer battery and Capt.
Snyder's two field pieces meantime were got into
the best position possible under the circ1mstan-
ces, and soon slenced two Of the rebel guns.
The fre slackened at intervals, but grew more
furious as night approached.
The German brig ade was led CALAMITY into
action by Col. McCook, under the direction of
Adjutant General Hartshuff; but, after a furious
Hght Of three hours, darkness compelled the recall
OF the troops, and the men laid on their arms
within short distance # the enemy, ready to re-
sumo the contest next morning.
When the morning came, however, our scouts
reported that Floyd had ingloriously fed, du-
ring the night, sinking the boats in the river In
his real, and destroying the temporary bridge he
had made when he first crossed to occupy the
position. The turbulence and depth Of the river
and the exhaustion of cur troops made IL impos-
sible to follow the fugitive rebels So hasty was
his flight that he left behind his camp equfpaye,
wagons, horses, large quantities of ammunition
and fifty head Of cattle
Our loss Is only fifteen killed and about sev.
enty wounded, generally flesh wounds.
Inc rebels loss is not ascertained, as they car.
ried their dead and wounded across the river du-
Capt McGroarty, OF Cincinnati, Capt. Nc
Muliin and Lieut. Snyder, Of Ohio, are among
the wounded, but not dangerously.
Twenty. five men Of Col. Tyler's regiment. who
IN.
Lanes were recaptured by our troops
Gen: Floyd's personal baggage, with that of all
his officers, were also taken.
Gen Benham,s brigade, which suffered most,
was commanded by him In person. and Col. Nc
Cook also led his brig ade into action.
MAJOR General Rosecrans, Gen. Benhan, Coils
McCook, Lyttle and Lowe, and Captains Hart
shuff, Snider, McMullin and Burf and other
officers displayed particular acts Of personal
gallantry.
The troops engaged were exclusively from Ohio
and all fought with the bravery worthy Of vete-
OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN. RosECRAHs
Headquarters Army of Vtrginia,)
Camp Scott, Sept. IL, p. IN.
marched IN miles, and reached the enemy's en-
trenc he'd position In front of Connifx Ferry dri.
wing his advanced outposts and pickets before u.s.
we FOUND him occupying strongly-antrenched
position, covered by forests too dense to admit of
Its being seen at distance Of three hundred
yards. His force was five regiments besides the
one driven in. He had probably sixteen pieces
OF artillery.
Alta O'Clock we began a strong reconnaissance.
which proceeded to such length that we were
about to assault the position on the flank and
front, when night coming on and our troops being
completely exhausted, | drew them out Of the
woods and posted them in the order Of battle be.
hind the ridges Immediately fronting the enemy's
position. where they rested on their arms until
the morning.
Shortly after daylight runaway "contraband,
came In and reported that the enemy had crossed
the Gauley river during the night, by means Of
the ferry and bridge which they had Completed
Col Ewing was ordered to take possession of the
camp, which he did about O'Clock, capturing
few prisoners, two stand Of colors, considerable
quantity Of arms, with quartermasters stores
messing and camp equipage
The enemy have destroyed their bridge across
the Gauley, which here rushes through deep
gorge, and our troops being still much fatigued
ana having no material for Immediately repairing
the bridge, 1t was thought prudent to encamp the
troop and occupy the ferry and the captured camp
we sent few rifle cannon shots after the retreat
ing enemy, to produce moral effect
Our loss will probably amount to 30 killed and
lOO wounded. The enemys loss not ascertained.
but from the report Of the prisoners Ii must have
been very considerable.
w. 8. RosEcRANs,
Major General Commandinp