Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-06-13
The Fight at Phillippa.

In the Richmond Dispatch of Saturday
last, We find the following account of 9
fight which took place at Phillippa, Bar
bour County, Virginia, on Monday Of last
week:
Col. J. W. Spalding, of this city, who
was participator in the recent fight at
Phillippa, gives US the following particulars
of that affair. Our forces we're posted in
the town of Phillippa, and numbered in all
about 700 effective fighting men.
The commanding officer, Col Porte'6eld,
having been informed on Sunday, by a
courageous lady, who rode from Fairmout,
in Marion county, through the lines of the
enemy at Grafton, and thence to Phillippa,
distance of 26 miles, that it was the pur-
pose of the enemy to attack US, and know.
ing his superior force, determined upon
retiring to Beverley, which is distant 80
miles. Not having at hand the proper
mode of conveyance, horses and wagons
were impressed, with the view of leaving
at midnight.
It is stated that an order was issued for
the pickets, outposts and scouts to be in at
II o'clock on Sunday night, and this or
der was obeyed. The baggage of the res
pective companies was placed upon the
wagons, but for some reason best known to
the commanding officer, the horses were
not attached, and they were left standing
in street.
It was in this position of affairs that on
the morning of Monday, about daylight,
the enemy opened fire upon us from two
gun battery of 6.pounders, posted upon a
crowned point upon the opposite shore of
the Tygarts' Valley River, which success
fully commanded the camps of the Church
vile Cavalry, of Augusta, and the Cavalry
of Rockbridge, numbering altogether about
$50 men, who were situated on the oppo
site side of the river.
The horses of these corps being uuaccus-
toned to the fire of artillery broke from the
picket ropes, by which they were tied to
the fence, and stsppeded in the widest
confusion, dashiug in among the half form
ed infantry and filling the streets.
1t was some time before the confusion
produced by both the fire and stampede was
overcome Meanwhile the enemy upon the
opposite side of the river endeavored to
force the passage of the bridge with one
piece of artillery, which be had held in re
serve but in this movement he was check
ed by bold charge of Capt. Richards, of
the Bath Cavalry, who was stationed on the
opposite side of the road. \ running fire
then ensued, which continued up the main
street of the town, the enemy having final
ly succeeded iu crossing the bridge, and
the successive discharges from the troops
brought him to a stand during every few
rods of his progress.
On reaching the curve of the road lead
ing towards Beverley, the foot troops hav'
ing been formed by their respective officers.
the main engagement took place aud ter,
minated in the final fight at Sturu's house,
a mile and half from the village. Here
the enemy received check, gaze up the
chase, and COL Porter6eld made good his
retreat to the village Of Beverley.
Col. Willy, of Margautowu, was taken
prisoner in his quarters, opposite to Capoti S
Hotel. When last seen he was near the
window, having been an invalid for some
days.
A Mr.. Martin, of Northwestern Virginia,
is also believed to have been captured by
the enemy.
The corps of Capt Moorusn. If Pcndle-
ton county, were particularly Effective, as
was also that of Capt Hail, of Montery.
Lieut.. Thompson, of the Fairmont Rifles,
bore himself we'll during the action, closing
up his ranks with the GOODNESS of an old
soldier. So did Capt. Higginbotham, Of
Upshur's corps.
The successful termination of the fight,
and the warmth of the contest, NAY be at
tributed to the wonderful gallautry of the
men, rather than to the superinteudeuce Of
any general officer, and numerous instances
might be related of the most determined
bravery on the part of individuals. The
majority of our men showed admirable
pluck.
The U. s. soldiers fired at random,
though armed with Minnie rifles, which
accounts, for our small loss The enemy
were about 5000 strong, though from the
character of the country, they were unable tc
bring the entire body into action Through
lady, who has since arrived at Beverly ii
appears they acknowledge to 25 killed but
the presumtion is, that there were many
more, to say nothing of sixty or seventy
wounded, who were rapidly removed frou
the field
Our own loss, so far as is ascertaiped
are Mr. Hanger, of the Augusta Cavalry
who was killed near the bridge; Mr. Mar
tin, of Rock bridge, and Mr Thomas E
Sims, of Richmond. The latter individual
when last seen was bravely defending him
self, near the wagon Of the Quarfernas,er
to whom be was an assistant. The frs
wound be received was from a man wht
was mounted, but who afterwards met hi
deserts at tbe mouth of musket. Hi
last and mortal wound s1r Sims received
while between his wagon aud the fence
when he was endeavoripg to mount horse
which was near by. He had been up du
ring the entire night, preparing the vouch
ers for the horses which had been presse,
into service, and were to be paid for -
These vouchers were upon his person, ant
with his body, are presumed 70 have bee