Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-10-04
The Situation I'm the yyest--Reean OF
Gen. Wise.

| We have full accounts of the situation in
| Western Virginia and Of the circumstance
under which it is supposed Gen. Wise wa:
| ordered to report in Richmond where he ar
rived on Saturday evening.
On the 18th of September, Gen. Floyd en-
| camped with about 5000 men on the summit
| of the Big Sewell. Gen. Wise, with the Wise
| Legion, about l ZOO strong, encalnped on the
eastern slope of the Big Sewell, between
| Dixon's and Smale's farms.
Both Generals commenced entrenching
| Gen. Floyd westward of the summit, Gen
| Wise between Dixon's and Vaughan's.
| On the night of the 10th to 11th, Gen. FLOYD
| retreated with his brigade to Meadow Bluff
| being under the impression that the enemy
| was Is 900 strong, and also threatening the
| Wilderness road.
| Gen. Floyd ordered Gen. Wise to prepare
| TO follow him to cover bis rear, which order
/ Gen. Wise failed 10 execute FOR number OF
| alleged reasons.
On the 18th, Gen. Wise addressed hi:
| troops, stating that hitherto he had never
| once retreated but in obeiieuce to superior
| orders; that the enemy was said to be 10,
| 900 strong. that he did not believe they were
as many but if they were, he though the could
and was resolved to make stand In that
position; that his men must expect to be at
tackled from all sides and for successive days
1 ana I0aL all WHO nttc HOL ~ oOAoS
the issue on stepping forward, would be sent
to Meadow Bluff.
On the 10th, or 21st. Gen. Lee arrived in
Gen. Floyd's camp, and ordered Gen. Wise
if he could do so safely, TO fall back Gen.
Wise invited Gen. Lee tof Judge for himself
of the position. Gen. Lee arrived in Gen
Wise's camp, now called Camp Defiance
on the 22d, and, after carefully inspecting
the ground, ordered Gen. Wise to maintain
his position till further orders.
Ga the 235, the enemy occupied the Big
Sewell, and skirmishing began, and was con-
tinued till the evening of the oath.
The Wise Legion, by the arrival of five
companies of infantry and one of artillery,
was, by the Esd, reinforced to guns aud
1900 men.
On the night of the 24sh, Gen. Lee himself
arrived with four regiments and two guns,
leaving Gen. Floyd with about l,5OO men and
cavalry at Meadow Bluff. On the evening
of the 25th Gen. Wise received orders to re-
and started for Richmond, accompanied by
Col. Henning~en, Majors Duffield and Stanard,
Captains Parish aud Breed, aud Lieut.. Wise.
Gen. Lee, including the Legion, had with
him at Camp Defiance between 5000 and
$500 men, with eleven guns. More than
l 500 men, with a rife cannon. would rein
force him by the oath. The position is one
of extraordinary strength. Little sKfrmisn-
ing had taken place, confined to three COM
panies of the 23d Regiment of the Wise Lee
gion, and to the artillery of the Wise Legion.
Lieut.. Howell, of Mississippi. was killed,
Capt Lewis severely wounded, one private
killed and three wounded.
The enemy immediately opposed to Wise,
on the turnpike, had been made out to
amount to between 5000 and 5000. Three
thousand reinforcement had been ascertain
ed. on the 26th, to have reached Gauley
bridge.
Nothing was known of the direction OR
number of the remainder of the enemy's
force.
Gen. Lee. it is said, could uot be forced
from his position, but easily moved by de-
monstration, Eastward, on his rear.-Rich-
nond Examiner, 30h.