Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-06-19

double quick" down the declivity of the hill,
and here had full view of the enemy, and con-
fess that never saw fight determined on with
greater promptness or executed with greater dis
patch. The enemy was under the command of
/ Colonel G. A. Porterfeld. What his strength
was, is variously estimated. In my own udg
ment, would say from 500 to 1000, of which
would think over four hundred were cavalry
They had no artillery but swivel have con
versed with many of the citizens of the town as TO
the strength of Colonel P's command, vino say |
that the Colonel himself proiessed to have 2 800 |
troops. 1t is my opinion that he had not. but |
magnihed his own strength with a view to in /
timidate the people, and crush out the Union sen
timent When l first SAW the enemy it |
seemed to me he was pushing for the bridge, |
which / rapidly approaching; but it |
turned out that it was necessary to converge to-
wards the bridge TO gain the street leading out of
the town, on the opposite side from that entered
by my command. The bridge is q narrow struc-
ture, some 800 400 feet in length, spanning the
Valley river, branch of the MOnongehala. A
small body of determined troops could have i'm
peded our progress and crippled us at the bridge,
and apprehended resistance at that point. To-
wards it my men poured down the hill in good
order, and with energy and determination that
assured me In advance that victory certain.
In moment was at the mouth of the bridge
One of the passages was barricaded, the other
clear. Through it Company d. commanded by
Capt Jos. Morgan, in advance,) my men pushed,
the 7th Indiana first; then Col Steedmans COM
mand, not including the artillery; then Colonel
Crittenden, and opened upon the enemy, they re-
treating in wild disorder. Both parties being up
on the full run, and the distance between being
quite considerable, but little execution could be
done. | pursued the enemy from the bridge
through the town, and for several miles beyond.
At one time | thought should be able to capture
his entire baggage train, but the horses, TO pre-
vent this, were cut from MANY of the wagons and
mounted, and the wag and contents left to our
booty. The wagons were filled with munitions
. of war blankets knapsacks, clothing, baggage
of officers and men, and with a considerable
amount of -four and forage. Having pursued the
enemy and being satisfied that further pursuit was
E unavailing, returned to Philppa. Ny Adlu-
tant, James Gavin, was at my side for executing
my commands, throughout the entire engagemnt,
proving himself possessed of such superior cour-
, age and spirit that | would do violence to nv
own sense of justice if | did not praise it, FIRST
Lieutenant Peter Kennedy of Company A, act
ing as Commissary, is well des CRYING of my warm
f est commentators for his promptneSs, energy and
, good conduct, and for the real substantial sub
sistence rendered.
The companies Of the 18th regiment of Indiana
volunteers in the engagement, were: Co. A, Capt.
/ Jas Burgess; Co. b, Capt. JAS. Morgan; Co. G,
Capt. j. NJ. Blair; Co. Z, Capt. John II. Ferry;
Co. +, Capt Jas. Y. Bemusdatier: Co. G. Capt.
N. Lord. Jr.; Co. |. Capt j. w Robb; Co. X,
Capt j. K Scott The Captains, Leutenants,
non commissioned officers, and men of their CON-
, panies each We'd with the other in gallantrv and
8 bearing. Lieutenant Colonel SpoOner and Major
i Over of my regiment, each displayed cool and
determined courage, and rendered me the most
valuable aid both or the march and in the assault
of the enemy. / speak particularly of these
officers, because being of my immediate com
al IA un,a my oh,
servations and because, thrown suddenly in com
mand of different detachments of troops, to the
Z officers of which | am stranger, am unable to
mention the names OF many whose courage and
bearing is worthy of praise. The detachments
! of the 18th Ohio regiment OF volunteers, com
manded by Col Steedman, crossed the bridge I'M
mediately after the 9TH Indiana, and was followed
4 quickly by the 9th Indiana, under Col. Critten-
I den Col Steedman captured a large amount Of
. tents number of muskets and rifles, and other
. munitions of war, and believe, some prisoners
r We were separated during the engagement, but
his conduct, as well that of his officers and
f men, is spoken of in terms of much praise by
f those who witnessed it, Lieut. Col. Sturgiss, OF
: the same regiment in charge of the artillery,
. managed his guns with great celebrity. / under
stand he was assisted and directed by Col. Lander,
bv special delegation from the commanding Gen.
eral So informed, | did not myself give any
6 direction in regard to the guns. Colonel Crit
Y he left the cars at Webster, after n tedious
Z journey, TO take up his march on Phillippa. His
: men, marching in the rain, in the darkness of
q midnight and in the raging storm, would neces-
sarily be vastly more fatgued than thosein front;
= still they and their gallant commander held up
q with unfalterng spirit, and did great service
n in the fight and chase as it possible for good
o officers and good men to do. While descending
r the hill towards the bridge, body of troops
: made their appearance the nights to the left.
o A friendly cheer assured us that it was the com
|, mand of the gallant Col. Milroy, and the First
IT Virginia Regiment commanded by Col. Kelley,
q and detachment from Col. lryings Ohio Regis
Il ment A rapid descent down the declivity ena-
o bed them strike the retreating enemy, but not
v with rs much effect if the descent had been
o made few minutes sooner Col. MllrOy as
saulted that part of the enemy who had LETT the
r main road and took to the hills enjoy the pro-
!. lection of the trees, while Coils Kelley and r.
N wings command pursued the enemy up the 70 adj
: leading toward Beverley. They succeeded in
q killing and wounding number, but unfortunate
!. ly Col. Kelley himself Tell severely wounded by
. | a pistol shot i'm the breast Ny men carried him
;. into the town, when surgical assistance i'm
mediatey rendered by Dr. Geo. W. New, of my
i own regiment, who had proved himself as gal
liant and courageous in the field as he is skill al
: in his profession. Just before we had approach
e ed the town he had vountee, ed to make a re-
N
along the line repeatedly, seemingly unmindful of
\ his own personal safety.
). Capt. G. W. Robinson, of Col. Kelley's COM
. mand reports to me that lie captured Col. j. W.
/. Wiley, of the rebel army, and upon his person
! found his commission from Adutant General
: Garnett of the rebel forces and other papers of
: importance, which lie reports he holds subject 10
: my ORDER / enclose his report. 1t perhaps is
v not my province to speak much of that part of
Q the expedition which marched by the way OF Ev-
n ansvle under the command of Col. Kelley, con-
f sistng of Kelley, MiIroy, Irving and their COM
Il mands i know nothing personally OF their
3 march prior to arriving before Phillppa and only
n speak Of what | myself saw. The two COM
. mands or bodies of troops arrived almost stimuli
taneously upon different hills, overhanging the
. town, and did all that could be done to arrest the
h fight and punish the enemy. / only undertake
/ to report the particulars OF that part of the ex-
petition under my immediate command and
which marched before Phillippa by way of Web
ster and the bridge. / speak of that part of the
expedition commanded by Coils. Kelley, Milroy,
and Irving, only because Col. Kelley's condition
/. is such as to render report from him impossi-
ble In doing so | may have made some mis-
Ill hon,