Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-07-18

The Fight AT BRrbourvi1e, Cabeu
kEiS aEs. and the command Oh ''"
: lFrom the Cincinnati Commercial of last night!
| CAMP WOODRUFF, NEAR CABELL o. a., VA.
July l4th, 1861.
You have probably been advised of the
great activity OF the I'd Kentucky Regi-
ment since its putting foot upon the soil oil
I Virginia, an activity which has been at
! tended. with such fortunate results that
waiting to ssarve them out begiuS to look
! like-Etllacy-ns it certainly is in Western
] Virginia. Ny last hurried letter left us in
occupancy of the troublous townof Guyau-
dottc. We remained there bnt a few hours,
Al number of companies moving out To.
Camn Crittenden, as it was ChriSteued, the
same afternoon the town was captured
Camp Crittenden was situated on the
Charleston roaj, about two miles from
Guyaudotte, and was pitched on the wheat
field of Col. Everett, now in the Secession
army. His mansiouudjoiued the field, and
his family was Que of the few of that per-
! suaSion that did not fee when we landed.
Our position there was not strong one,
and much apprehension WAS felt the first
night concerning an attack from the rebels
encumped some six miles diStNnt, at Cabeh
c. II. tor BarGOuryile, MS the town is
called Our men were aroused by the
long roll halfa dozen times before daylight,
and formed in line of battle on the parade
ground, and the pickets alarmed ny stray
glers through the adjoining wooded hills,
fired their guns aud Withdrew to camp.
No enemy appeared, however, and the next
day our position was made comparatively
secure, by the arrival OF the balance OF the
regiment which evacuated Guyandottc,
leaving q small detachment to hold Tue
place.
Ouce eneampcd, scouts and skirmishing
parties were constantly sent out. OF ill
the small attachments of infantry that left
camp to reconnoiIre, not one returned, 0l-
though we were always Joined the same
day by corresponding parties of cavalry,
mounted on secession Mugs left standing
in stables, uncurried and uufcd, or rnmb-
ling through neglected fields. The most
scrupulUus respect has, however, been
eyinced tor the property of the UnionistS,
whilst they in turn cheertully volunteer,
both their chuttels and their SERVICES, in
our advance. Colonel Woodruff was, in
the meanwhile, turning attention TO the
rebel camp ut Barboursville; cleaning such
information rs he could from scouts aud
| loyal residents. He found they were re-
cGiving reintorcements SO rapidly, that II
most vigorous action on his part would be
necessary. He could learn nothing posi-
tive concerning their number, or the mill
tary strength of their position; but he
bplanned an Immediate attack. Accord
ingly, at mid night, GU the night OF the
l2th, companies A, b, b. F, and were
aroused from their SAUNDERS, and placed
under the command of Lieut.. Col. Netf,
aud, with one days ra'ion5 in their huver-
sacks, they proceeded on their march
after IL short but stirring address from Col.
! Woodruff. The column was conducted by
n strong Union man, a resident OF Bar
| louisville, who had been driven thence
! some weeks since.
| 1t was proposed 10 make the attack at
early daylight, but the deep silence OBJ
served along the route, together with the
hnIts to send forward scouting parties, de-
| terred their coming into sight OF the enemy
until the sun was two hours high. When
they did catch Il first glance, it there had
been any fear i'll their composition, it
would have overpowerea them NJ once.
| The rebels were drawn up in liue Of bnt-
tie on the brow OF Il high hill, apparently
/ inaccessible on all sides, and commanding
a. view for two miles around OF Il magniti-
cent level plain, with All its roads in tull
! sight, until they dwindlcd into the distant
forests.
Near the base of the hill wound the
| GuyundOtte river, and within pistol shot
of their position was the only bridge
which SPAWNED it from the side ON which
we were advancing. Our brave boys took
but one glance and passed on.
AZ they neared the bringe, they discov-
cred large body uf cavalry on lhe road
which wound around the base of the hill
on which the enemy WINS ranged, retreating
and dividing in order TO intercept OUT
flight-a natural inference, but a muttcr OF
opinion nevertheless. The rebels very
considerably reserved their FIRE until the
head OF our column had set foot upon the
bridge, aud then they fired terrific yolley,
killing one man instantly, aud vomiting
number OF others.
To escape this terrible shelving FIRE, our
men were double quick int. the covered
bridge where tue bullets peltcd, battered,
aud whi$t!ed like Il !caden hail. storm.
They rushed onward, however, until they
hailed with such sudden stock, that it
sent tue whole column into disorder. The
plAnks OF lhe bridge had been removed
on the opposite SHE, aud the mule on
which the guide WAS mounted had fallen
through, aud he barely escaped sh"riug its
destruction, by clinglng to the tim6crS.
Tue rebeis, encouraged Oy our delay ut
the fearful impeachment, broke into wild
shouts and cheers. Fired by their aSsur-
ances OF Victory, our noys could be les
trained no longer; they answered With
terrific yels, somc gnn TO the pathhOlcS OF
the bridge and discharged their muskets
ut their tue, and Co. y, led by Capt Brown,
made dash in single lie across the bare
strlngers and ratlera OF the bridge, tol>
lowed hy Company D lmOudwari Guards
and the remaining companies. As they
emerged from the bridge, the rebels tlauk-
ed aud charged front from the mouth of
the bridge, To Tho road which cncirrlcd the
bHse OF the bilI and sent another bitter
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