Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-10-30

by his solitary ten FOUNDER refused to retreat as did several gallant
enemy. The enemy, however, Immediately commenced pursuit and
dashed down over the creek. Hardly had they reached the creek
and charged furously at them. Atthe same time a tremendous shout
was heard, and laundering down the creek through a thick glade
enemy threw down their arms and fed in confusion without firing a
with Coils. Woodruff, De ylher5s and NeF and Capts Austin and
Lord. The ront was perfect Col. Norton was badly wounded as
At this point turned the whole fortune of the campaign Colonel
Tompkins, instead of pursuing and routing the enemy, retired to his
entertainments 1t was subsequently the confession of the Federal
Officer, that had the Confederates pursued their advantage, they could
have driven their forces back to the Ohio River, and rescued the Kan
awha Valley from their ponutng touch. That this was no idle con-
lecture, viii appear by being acquainted with the fact, that we had
captured Gu their field officers, and it would have been nothing more
than forced march to have driven them back to their homes.
On Tuesday, the 2d,. the retreat commenced by the sending of all
Commssary, Quartsrmaster and Ordnance stores, towards the eau
ley. Gen. Wise had received intelligence of the advancement of a
number of Federal troops down the Summsrville road, 5 IS to cut off
down what was termed the Sunday road, the enemy could obtain an
resist any attack which could be made, if he had sufficient time to
entrench himself Gen. Wise saw his danger, and an ignominious
retreat, made more so by the glorious victory at Seary Greek, the
The Kanawha River at this time was n.ygable as far as Canneltou,
Gauley Bridge To this point the writer was ordered to the command
Of this post in charge Of Ordnance Stores, together "itha great guam
ment was put in charge of the stores ofthat department The Kanaw-
river at midnight of the 23d. The next morning the difficult pas
sage through shoals and rocks was effected, and a numerous quantity
Of the stores eonmsnced at once. Before night all the ammunition
and ordinances were safe at Gauley Bridge
The men wore in no good spirits. thinking the retreat the result of
fear and impoteney on the part of the commanding General. In fact,
before the Gauley was reached, a fine body of cavalry under Capt.
Lewis disOanded, not having been legally mustered into service
that its members who fell back before the enemy, was induced to be-
come again a regular organized body. The troops passed Canaelton
have now to relate an incident which happened in this retreat,
which, though important, is little known, if at all to the public.
Importance to be summarily dealt with. The steamboat, the kanawha
Valley, after having unloadsd returned to Charleston, and on Wed
With these was a guard of thirty men under Lieut. Hazltt of Louis
lana. As the boat slowly passed the toiing army on the bank, q
shout was heard from the shore demanding the boat to stop. This
demand was not obeyed, the guard on the boat not knowing by what
a second shout was heard, followed instantly BY pistol shot asTos
the bows of the boat More steam was put on, which oecasioned an
!, other shot from shore, which struck the pilot house. The guard or
d tie boat returned the fire, which NO sooner was opened than re-
$ turned bsiskly from the bank; By the aid of the officers, however
e this murderous affair was ended after a exchange of over one hun
: dred shots, and the boat fastened on its way. But the sequel was tt
: follow. Two shots had taken effect on the boat instantly killing
!, man named Yourg from Rockbrdgs CO., Va, and mortany wound
ing another, both SICK men! Fifteen were wounded on shore.
The dead were decently inferred at Canneton, while the wounded
If followed on after the army in two ox-carts with addressed mounds
: The retreat now took the semblance of a confused defeat. Compa
MES and Regiments were hopeesly mixed. Officers knew not wher
d G G. Brio Bridge r'a and no no,hna sc could E'l be m more eunS pssi , ~ dissr =
than this fight from Charleston. The General had gone among tn
first, accompanied by his aids and secretaries, ina light carriage, ant
was in the lead all the way The poor wounded men, halfstarve
and almost faintin. from their wounds, reached CanneIton on tn
on the evenin. of the 25th. Medical attention was out of the ques
attention they received to their suasrings.. There is certainly some
" thing surrounding this retreat which ought to be, in the nam
of justice and humanity, investigated, and the public may rest a
n sured that the reason why the particulars of it are withheld is, thu
81 there \ great and condemnlns blame lying on the shoulders of tho
who should make them known. The numbering of two men, tt
IS, wounding of fifteen others, the disgraceful confusion of N army
oooo men pursued oy an enemy, the more than dlsSraceful abando
IN, ment of the post at Cannelton, are things which demand an sxamin
m ton, and sooner or later it must come.
es, The army reached Gauley Bridge, and we're comparatively safe
nj Friday the 10Th inst, but this did not end the affair. The enen
III, up was advancing oriskly to engage Wise before he could cross the Ga
los ley. There : . post at Csnnelton, ten miles off, that was left
on shift for itsH The short enisods which follows il . Maroon ~
to and must, therefore, be considered as authentic. Orders of the m,
preremptory character had been issued to the Commandment not
oc- leave until everything had been sent to Gauley Bridge. The wag
ent es who had transported the stores up to Saturday morning beca
the terrified at the near approach OF the ensHy, whs that night had
OF Icamped four miles from the post and deserted le.vino = o,.ptity
sms ICommissary and Quartsrmaster Stores without tY>nsport.fon &
md. infant of the fact it vas the obiscto of Tan Wis. To hprn The hrId
high and thus shut off all communication. in fact all travel between the
ferent sections of the country. The Commandment bec.ma alarmed
tey the safety of his gallant guard who had been dstsied 10 assist
sey No wagons n orders arriving. and the epemv steadily adyanc
ton .bout 10 o'clock ha ordered a gnat opanttv If load MIN to he :
the irto the river. and n number Of buckets hrooms ec together
hla- Some Comuissary stores II he hid ir the IN. mines At ,hs ton n
hree mountain. AID an hour later to the upsic of tho snsuv's drums