Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-10-03
Critical Situation in Western Vir-
ginia---R Osecranz Marching on the
Bic SeweII.

Intelligence of the most important and
critical nature has reached here from the seat
of war in the West, by special express ar
rived yesterday evening. The news from our
camps on the Gauley line is as late as We'd
nesday last, furnishing must uncommon in
stance of the dispatch of Intelligence from
that quarter.
On Friday last Gen. Lee arrived at Floyd's
camp at Meadow Bluff. He was accompanied
by an escort of twenty men and three bag
gage wagons. On the Sunday following Gen.
Lee proceeded to Wise's encampment, on the
Big Sewell, and made thorough recOnDOis-
| sance of the position
1t was known that Rosecranz had crossed
the Gauley, and was making his way to-
wards our lines. 1t was reported that he had
l.crossed the IauleY at Hughes Ferry. taking
up his line of march on the Wilderness road ,
bat, ,isarning the position of Floyd's forces,
I had retraeed his march, crossing the river
again at CarnefaX -(the loealitysof the late
battle) and directing his movements towards
T Wise's position on the Big Sewell.
Gen. Lee had taken four regiments of
Floyd's command to reinforce General Wise.
The juncture of these two forces would not,
it is said, amount to more than 5000 men,
and it had been determined to give battle
on the approach of the enemy. Rosecranz's
force was estimated at IA 900 men.
1t was understood that the position of Gen.
Wise was exceedingly strong. The DISPOSE
ton of the forces had been made by Colonel
Henningsen; and it was hoped that they
would be able to check RosecranZ, notwith-
standing the considerable superiority of his
numbers.
On Wednesday last General Floyd had pre-
pared dispatches to hurry IN achievements
on points from the route to Richmond. Col.
Russell's Mississippi Regiment had arrived
out, as had Col. Phillips Legion or battalion,
eco strong.
|. AT the time of the preparation of these
dispatches it was reported in General Floyd's
camp that an engagement had already taken
place, or was in progress, between Generals
Lee and Wise aud the enemy. Meadow
Bluff is about fifteen miles distant from
Wise's position. If an action had taken
place. or was being contested, its result was
not known or certainly anticipated at the
last reliable accounts which have reached
here through special express.
If il should become necessary for our for
ces to fall back from the Big Sewell, it is I'M
derstood that they will do SO upon General
Floyd's position, which is said to be i'm
pregnable, defended as it is, on one side by a
mountain bluff, and on the other by con-
siderable stream. Our forces, in the position
now occupied by FloyG's command, could
not be outlanked. They would command
the Wilderness road and the Boyer's Ferry
road, both of which connect with the Pike
and guard the only passable approach to
Lewisburg .-Richn,0nd Examiner, 20h.
Gen. Wise reached Richmond on Saturday
last. The enemy attacked him on Monday
on Big Sewell, in heavy forces, numbering,
it is supposed, 5000, and Gen. Wise had but
LOO. He made such a gallant defence that
the enemy were repulsed. Heavy skirmishiug
was continued throughout the two succeeding
days. the Hessans remaining under cover of
the trees and bushes, and endeavoring to as
certain the position of our guns. In the
meanwhile, Gen. Lee arrived, with four regi-
mcnts of Floyd's Brigade, thus swelling the
forces on Big Sewell to four thousand men,
Our loss in three days skirmishing is two
killed and three wounded.
Gen. Wise supposes the enemy's loss as
heavy; but the actual facts could not be OBJ
tanned, the enemy screening them from view.
Wise is sanguine that Gen. Lee will whip
the enemy, and drive him back.
1t is reported that three federal ships were
blown ashore on the North Carolina coast
during the gale on Friday last.
The latest advices from Norfolk report that
the garrison at Fortress Monroe has been
further reinforced by three regiments.
Gen. Van Dorm has recovered from his late
illness, and will be ready to resume active
operations at an early day.