Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-10-15

him instantly. Another of his men was slightly
wounded in the shoulder That was done BY one
Of our own men, mistaking him for an enemy. Just
at the conclusion of this sklrmish, as it may be
called, Gen. LEE rode up with his escort Of eight
men, and his aid Col. WASHINGTON, collateral de-
acendant Of GEORGz WAsHIEGToE, the great q Pater
Patrie." LEE had rode all night in the midst
of the enemy, running great rink of life
to extricste US from great and impending danger,
Of which We otherwise would have remained igno-
rant until it would have fallen upon us. He had
learned through troupers that JACKSON had retreat
ed from Cheat Mountain. declaring their fortifea-
tons invulnerable. LoRNG had been SO tardy In
his movements IS to be unable to make the attack
at the appointed time. WISE or FLOYD was also re-
treating in the Kanawha Valley, leaving US with a
force upon our front and rear either of which was
four or five to our one. He complimented US highly
said we were the best troops in the world-that
we were up precisely to the time and place, and ten
miles ahead Of the general moveHent-gAve US
orders to retreat as fast possible, and left US
going across the mountains to LoRING. He was
folio wed by party of the enamy, who fired upon
him, killing Col WAsHp GroN and a horse of one Of
the escort. The rest all escaped unscsthed 1
being much the finer accoutered man. He was
shot through With three rifle balls The next day
the body Of Col w his horse, his watch, papers
and money were sent to Gen L., the enemy retain,
ing only his arms. General LEE is the finest look
ing man ever saw, and is undoubtedly one of the
most brilliant military stars of the day. On the
18th we marched twelve thirteen miles up an
exceeding rocky branch; we were compelled to
wade the creek half the distance, great was
the proximity of the mountains on either side,
the average depth of the creek was knee-deep,
though sometimes much deeper. Or how
sympathised with barefooted boys as they splashed
along the rough bottomed branch with their deter
mined and soldier-like 'front.' heard not murs
muir, though we had gone two days without any
thing to eat except elder berries and some of the
boys in passing corn patch pulled some very green
ears and eat them raw. We were not allowed to
build fires. At night we came upon some fat cat
tie, which we soon slaughtered and eat without
bread or salt, though we got to bron it.
IhaYe been too fast. LEE had not learned of the
retreat of FLOYD and JACKSON on the morang of the
1lth but only ordered us back out of danger until
LoRNG and ANDERSON should get their posi-
tons. Accordingly on the 18th, we were ordered
to return by an entirely new AMI crcuitous route
to the rayine or gorge, in which We surprised the
enamies pickets and slipped in under cover of the
night within one mile of their camps, and awaited
the inception of the fight by LoRING, we performed
our part with CELEBRITY and prOmptness. The morn
ing of the 18TH at day-break, found US at the APP
pointed place in battle line, eagerly awaiting the
signal So passed away the 18th. DAydawn of
of the 14th found us still at cur posts with increas-
ed hunger and increased esgerness for battle, yet
NJ man complained. In the evening we moved out
three milss and procured more beef, without bread
or salt. On the 18th we were ordered to return to
eur camps account of the retreat of these other
commands. On tho evening of the 10th we arrived
in camps. having eaten nothing since the morning
of the 18th, and then only the unsalted beef.
In our last advance upon the enemy we left
good many good soldiers-their feet and legs had
become so swollen and infsmed that it was impossi
bic for them to 60 yet they all seemed anxious to
go. In the number was R. and C. They were
completely exhausted. B. A. also had marched two
days barefooted. All this time we were in the
woods; itrained some every night and day; slept
sitting on the ground in line, with our gun locks
under our arms TO keep them dry. We are all safe
in camp, as gaily as young bucks. We did not even
elteh Geld. came in perfectly en- my heels Truly
we certainly are the best soldiers in the world
prisoners say if we are the kind of men they have
to contend WITH that subjugatng the South is for
lorn hope.
ANDERSON, in the rounds, had six men killed, and
killed many of the enemy, took twenty five pris-
oners. LoRING lost 10 men-kiled about twenty
FIVE. think the campaign is over for this season.
The roads are becoming impossible; we will be
n oved back to staunton-probably garrison a few
hundred along the road ]. J. C.