The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-18
Full Particulars Of the En-
gagemeMt.
GALLANT CONDUCT OF THE c,GlO TROOPS,
Names Of The enion Officers Engaged in the
Defeat Of Gen. Lee at Cheat Mountain,
&c, &c., &c.
TIE sATTLE OF CARNIrEx FERRY.
Correspondence Of the Cincinnati Gazette.1
BATLErIELD or CARSlFExs FERRY,
El0HT MILES SOUTHWEST or SUMMgRsyifis

On the last day of disastrous sanaer OF 81 Ge-
Deral RosecFHns moved from ClaTksbrg to put himself
at the head of his army, and resume ae, i've operations
The popular understanding WAS th2t meant attack
zee AZ oneat Mountain Gaps Iae truth, as las hefeio
that he meant to complete the wk which his strategic
plans had been Tor month directed, by engaging Floyd
n the region OF or Eanawha line. Reynots held Lee IN
check ut the Cheat Mountain; gap in ines had been
purposely made st Summersvle; Floyd had bit at tho
bait by coming Ia; and Rosecrans proposed TO shit
him hard in the aead" before he could run. Such was
the plan.
lug 10 Beverly he had reached Bull Town, and Sutton and
Birch river, bad colleG,cd HIS scattered army and
ready for hrs work. Just week had been consumed
After variety Of peSatious delays, the army moved
from Birch river towards Sunerspie the forenoon
o nday the 9th inst The telegraph had proceeded MS
and dspetches had been received from our oupos.s that
picses had BEEN irod on and that the rebels were
skulkut near them through tne woods In advance Of
our whe coinn went squad Of cavalry, TO bear back
the earliest Intelligence Of any hostile movement at
considerable distance behind came advance guard
thea after another iuersa tie pioneers and then Ben
HAMS brigade. McCook's followed, and Scammon's
brought up oe rear; while For five miles buck stretched
wagon ca. IN and its guards.
leaving tAe valley OF the Big Birch, Immediately
hesln 10 cSnb the mountain, which, from our late en-
osuncn ad seemed 10 block up the way. For six miles
we climbed IN tortuous w'ndmgs paosag ca the way to
bury Tfocl, who had been killed while attempting
gucr sshot ON Colonel Smith, the evening before and
VII s. corpse had lam in its gore by the roadside
Gll morning At LAST reached the summit,
aud from that summit Of Powell's mountain
there burst upon the eye view that Switzerland
msht1e challenged to surpass Tho country through
which We're moving but succession Of spurs
outlying ranges from he Greenbriar, from meme of
them hitherto had We been able to see more than ibe
foliage masked sides and the forest top summit lines
OF he nearest hills on either side. Here were on
point that overtopped the whole country westward 10
The borders of our own Ohio and from that fasness for
guerias (l not den OF theves) the eye reached from
range 10 range of tree covered hills that and fell in
the magnificent panorama spread out before Ike tho
olows Of the ocean, growing smaller they recedea till
nj last in the dim, hazy shore line of blue that bounded
Che vision was marked the course Of our beautiful
river
And from that far OF view of their state the troops
descended to conflict OF which their state may worthy
be proud.
Hardly had the column begun descend the mountain
I'LL the extreme advance squad of cavalry fred upon
and presently along the line the word that ethe
enemy is ahead" Night closing about US, and the
inevitable fog bloting The outlines Of all our
surroundings, as reached the "Muddiehy Bottoms"
and passed the yet burning camp rcs Of enemy out
posi-.
The clanmy fog was still elnging around the faces Of
the sleepers when the First brigade aroused and by
dawn the whole garIHy on the way Surnmcrsyilie
lay before US, but eight miles distant. 4 regiment uf
rebels was reported by the country people o. be holding
the town. The column pushed steadily forward occa-
sionaly breaking into the double quick some rumor
ran along the ranks that the advance lighting. At
last distant firing was heard rapid march brought Us
into the single street OF Sumersyie and the rebels were
Been scampering up hillside beyond. The infantry
halted in column in the road squad Of cavalry dashed
out toward Gauey Bridge, and while they gone We
had leisure to learn that the pioneers OF the advance had
got within long usket range Of small party of Tho re-
bes, and had sent few shos after them though without
my known eject except the MS tergo principle 10 ne
cecrate their speed In few moens The cavalry snod
Returned marchug between them couple of the rebels
with tue green shirtashion blouse, and white mus.
lin rag over the cap that were known the uniform OK
raw militia cavalry company OF the rebes ouc or The
prisoners was from Parkersburgthe other from Guyan
dotte Both had been Cross Lanes and Of the fellows
was relieved OF the sword of Capt Dyer which he lad
stripped from the corpse of the poor captain field
Meantime the General had already ordered forward tie
column had gathered up the more intelligent Of the Cit
zens and questioned them about the roads aud byways
and all the Typographical features Of the country had
procured the Official map Of the county from the clerks
Office, AID had learned from the frightened inhabitants
all they knew were wiling 10 tell OF the position de-
fences and strength OF the enemy. leisureiy half
hours talk with the pris neIs cone Of whom was impu
dent, anu BOTH Independent as well loud mouthed In
the declaration that though we bad caught them Floyd
would pepper u.s. completed the ,nerns preplra
tions for entering the immediate neighborhood OF the
enemy and leaving the village, with the crying
and the men not knowing how 10 comfort them for fear
our army would be speedily driven back, AMI Floyd
would come trap.ing in upon with his eight thou
sand IN their very streets, the General gaopcd Lis
The current belief-what General Rosecrans nrorma.
tion and opinions were cannot saythe current belief,
based upon reports Of the country people statements OF
scouts and admissions of the prisoners that Floyd
strongly ntrenched Cross Lanes in such a posi.
ton that as he was said TO have expressed it, he dcAed
the world, the flesh and the devil" Our boys thought
there was no necessity tor his deyng those partiesbut
let That pass From Summersville TO Cross Lanes was
eight miles.
Shortly after leaving the village we entered the ranges
o. hills that swell into mountains On either side of the
Gapley river. Presently road was reached that led
through raviaes short distance down TO ferry across
the Gauley. IL would not do 5ave passage bv that
ferry practicable in our rear and Colonel McCoot was
ordered TO lake squad OF his cavalry (SchaurbecSs
from Chcsgo proceed 10 the ferry and destroy the boat
On arriving 81 the river the boat found to bc at the
opposite SIDE and couple of directed 70 trin
swim over and get it, As the swimmers struck out armed
men appeared on the other side and gerry sharp voey
was poured into Colonel McCook and his little squad who
were staAdihs on tne bank woundng one OF the men ser
ousy in the thigh The cavalry returned the FIRE
with spirit, but uluckiy they had firearms excepting
the United States carbinc stock horse pistol and the
rebels were beyond their range Seeing the predcaent
Colonel McCook instantly started man back asking TIA,
ten infantry should be sent TO his aid come mistake
the request understood TO bs FOR the Tenth infantry
ard the Whole regiment presently came hurryng down
The IRISH Keen for fght and desperately anxious 10
open the day we'll at commenced an Informal pop
pop popping, that speedily made the woods on the other
side hot for the rebels The smln1mers tber hronsbt
thc boat over - was new ono, just flushed End tho
tools employed in its construction were still in Il These
were used to cut II in two and the separate halves were
over the falls below, -
Maniestly, the column wes tbe euemys Zines.
yet contrary to the uniform experience Western yir
g,na hitherto, no Stempt whatever had been made TO
obst-ct the road Floyd was known 20 be advised of
our aproach as hs scouts had been hanging around
since We arrived at Birch river; and the Inference
rally as that as h. knew were coming ard made
no enof 70 sop US hs eit secure in his position and
wanted us to attack Lin. Finally arrived at forks
In the rod one branch leading Cross Laaes the other
turning 4 own toward Tie river, passing short distance
behind Cross Lanes Crossing the Gauey by ferry ana
continuing on down on $40 other side to eaey Brdrc
thirty odGmiles distant. 81
We must De on their lines, vet there was no firing !
Col LytSs qeuth Ohio, which had led the advance. ali
the way, ordered TO proceed cautiously and SLOWLY
down tie road, passing behind Cross Lanes 10 make
began TO Sc entertained that the rebels might
be conoeaed ~ some OF the valleys behind tho cresis
OF the low hs the left OF the road aud the several
bfigades orGered to form in lo OF battle and depoy
TO sOclr the entire suspected section The
nanmuvre was promptly and handsomely executed.
Meanwhile General Rosecrans found slecp Hill on The
eight which seemed 70 command the whole country and
ashing up - tic eSctnincd every point unutsIy and
gatehed the progrcsg Of the skirmshers with 6eld |
glasses.
VeEed from tia hit the scene was sn inspiring one
Away ia front s0Id the remainder OF the First bg,dc
iFRRB up Ia line OF battle facing in the direction yli
lsd taken On gentle swell to the left come di,nnre
back, stood McC0otcs entire brigade as Id as saies
md Choking for all the world like regulars p AZ n tbo
.ough military said of them. on the right sndo
ittIe higher up G prooagssion OF the same swell
vas Scammons brigade, not making long q line rs
he others, but looking their best Around vas spread
lovely variety Of hill and dale, pastures and
orplelds dotted with two sspg looking little farm
houses, with orchards attached, backed by The lofty
heights that skirt the Gauley sn all were wearing that
Ios smiling OF natures expressions, when ardent
ne just ripenng and sofening 10 tho mellow richness
# autumn.
Down the road know that regiment or 0hioan |
must be coming very 10 death above the san that
vas leading such glow TO he.eacef expression Of ma
ure, was also flashing on long lines OF bayone.s and
ehtng up The stern conienanccs Of an army OF men.
waiting and eager for batue. And SIN there came no
ouos save the tNeriug Il bTGs and the rustic Of The