Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-12-25
From the Richmond Dispalch, Dec. IL.
Tho Rattle of Allnphany Mountain


We received last evening, through the
kindness Of gentlemen from Western Virginia
some further incidents Of the battle fought on
Friday last, ON the Alleghany mountain. The
report which reached the city on Sunday,
that the forces OF Col. Jahnson were SUR
priscd by the cnenY is, we are assured, en-
tirely erroneous. The action, in fact COM
menced on Thursday evening between the
pickets; and this contradicts the statement
previously made that the enemy approached
from the rear and front turning both our
aauks. As near as we can ascertain, the Fed.
erals. who were doubtless guided by the
Union men of the vicinity, came upon Col.
Johlson's camp. soon after daylight trom the
north, their strength being four regiments Of
1000 men each. They attacked our forces,
consisting of three regiments of an average
of 400 men each, two battalions numbering
together 2C0 men, and two batteries OF four
guns each Tie fight continued until2 o'clock
2. NJ, when the enemy retreated
One great advantage that the tederas pos.
sessed WAS a position ehind some ielled TIM
bcr at q convenient distance from our camp
where they we're well protected from our fire,
and had good opportunity OF picking oil our
men whenever they showed themselves. They
were, however, finally shelicd out by our bat
teries and forced to make rapid retreat.
They carried most Of their wounded down the
mountain to the ambulances, though some
were left on the field.
Captain Anderson, of the Lee Battery, was
shot dead from the house at all early period
OF the fight. A letter to Judge Camden men.
tons the death of all officer of the 18th Geor-
gia Regiment but gives no name. We also
hear that Lieutenant Regain was killed but
there are contradictory statements relative to
tho death of Lieut.. Lewis Thompson. The
Northwestern boys behaved most sallantly,
end deserve much praise for their heroic con-
duct. They advanced and attacked the enc
nv three separate .imes, and, being thus e1-
! osed, suffered more heavily than any other
troops. Only two companies of the Fiity.sec.
end Virginia Regiment (Col. Baldwin's) were
engaged in the 6ght-Captain SINNERS and
Captain Lilley's. Several were wounded in
these companies, but only one was killed.
Our informant states that Col. Johnston
/" covered himself with glory, aud is entitled
to the appellation Of the Hero of the ALLIE
ghany." AT an early period Of the battle,
when our men partial y fell back under fierce
charge, Colonel johnson placed himself at
their head, and seizing stout bludgeon,
waved it in the air, shouting words of encour.
age1nent and bidding defiance to the enemy.
The men were fred with enthusiasm, and
johnson led them on to the charge in person,
sweeping the Yankees before him like chaff.
1t is represented to have been moment OF
terrible excitement; but the troops and their
brave commander proved equal to the emer-
gency. A young man from the camp says
that many . true soldier shed tears over the
death Of the brave Anderson, but all joined
in the shout of Joy on witnessing the heroism
Of johnson.
When we take into consideration the nu-
mcrical weakness oil our force, and the strength
and advantageous position oi the enemy, we
cannot but regard it as one Of the most des-
pcra,e conflicts Of the war. That the FEEDER.
lis suffered heavily there is no doubt yet
heir mendacous newspapers will pursue
lleir usual course Of Misrepresentation, and
t us a grand Union triumph. Yet !
hey will SCARCELY have the hardihood to ven
ure another attack upon Col. johnson a:L
Ma command.