The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-12-11
From Floyd's Army.

DEAR MoTHER:-You have doubtless become very
uneasy about me, hearing in long time Of my
Whereabouts. To relieve your mind Of any apprehen-
sons upon the score Of my safety avail myself OF the
first opportunity to inform you though have passed
through enough within the last week to kill horse las
practically demonstrated by the death of several am
! sound a doar-n good health as ever enjoyed
! in my life have been under fire. Have had fight
with the yankees, Ny have been saluted with the
whistle OF eaden messengers OF death, but thanks to
kind Providence | escaped unhurt. On Tuesday last
Gen Floyd received intelligence that considerable
body of the enemy had crossed Gauey river and in
tended to attack forthwith. Every preparation
made to receive them Breast works were thrown up
cannons posted &C. &c. The sudden arrival of our
outpos-the roll Of the drum beating the alarm, quickly
spread the of the approach of the foe, and
each brigade and regiment rapidly occupied its assigned
position After awaiting there some time, lin the mean
while they We're industriousy using twelve pound
mortar in throwing shell at across New rver-tWo
going right fay teut) three regiments, the 18th
Georgia in a&vance-45th and seth Virginia were or
! dered down to meet them, and to bring general
action. With the greatest alacrity proceeded until
quarter Of mile Of them, when party of skrmishers
was detached from the regiment for the purpose of
4 securing the woods and finding the exact position Of
the enemy Immediately after this party letwe heard
several reports of firearms in quick succession and
very soon the head Of our column commenced firing
driving the hatred foe before them like cha before the
wind. Unfortunately at this crisis the yankees received
a reinforcement of three regiments and some artillery
| A party OF Sharp-shoOters posted opposite our
position out Of range Of guns Their shooting
sharp efough but their aim poorly taken, as they hit
almost the tops of trees. We held position not
withstanding the bullets fell thick as hail around US
until night when fell back to breast works in
readiness for early attack next morning. When We
drew off, detached with twenty to cover the
retreat As as the regiment got out Of sight the
sharp-shooters showed themselves in full view when
every man Of drew trigger uPonthem and from the
shouts of distress we heard supposed not without
effect. The guns of the enemy are beyond comparison
better than ours aud fire upon with mpunity half a
mile off. Upon our arrival in camps were ordered
to make preparation fer a rapid retrogaden movement
Gen. Floyd had received reliable information that the
demonstration in tr0nt only concealed a strong flank
movement Of the enemy who trying to cut us off by
a heavy force in Our wagons had been sent
to jackson river depot for number of boxes which had
been lying there some time that we had means of
transportation. We compelled in consequence to
leave tents unportable baggage cooking utensils &c.
in the hands of the advancing foe make bonfire of
them. We promptly and without a word submitted to
the latter alternatives breaking in pieces the cook
ing utensils and marched all dav through rain and mud
up to our knees and at night arrived exhausted at
place between Fayete and Raleigh courthouse where
we camped The enemy followed pretty close in our
rear and upon Wednesday another skirmish occurred
the yankees killing Col Grow and two other for
Our retreat continued the next day and night over
desperate roads until having passed the place Of which
the enemyS flank movement to intersect the main
turnpike. We are waiting for them-wheR, il they ar
rive we promise to give them a warm reception. On
Wednesday night conference of all the colonies took
place at Gen FOyds tent, when he took occasion to
compliment the bravery of the 18th Georgia regiment
! could give YOU many interesting particulars of the
skrmsh at Laurel creek (ths is the name of the place
where the first skrnsh occurred) but reserve them
until meet. The casualties upon our side were one
man, Jesse Greene severely wounded in the neck A
member of the 5Oth Virginia regiment killed and
one Slightly wounded besides three already mentioned.
Upon the opposite side, counted about twenty killed
and wounded. It impossible to ascertain what
amount of damages we done. Capt hcCauley certainly
killed yankee and has his gun and cartridge box
Friday night the 10Th ult, it showed to the depth OF
three inches
We have notents very few cooking utensils and very
little to eat These hardships it is true but not
tiths" Of what we willing to suffer in the glorious
cause in which embarked
Life itself, is net worth Thought without liberty.
, YOU devoted son, JOHN DAWSON HILL.
From THE ALLEGHANY WORCESTERSHIRE Richmond
Dispatch publishes interesting correspondence from
Camp Allegheny, Nov "a, from which we make the
annexed extracts:
'Day before yesterday our forces at camp Barlow
withdrew eastward part stopping here the top of the
Allegheny mountains and the taking up quarters
in Crab bottom and Monterey. Its now snowing the
wind is blowing hurricane it is as cold as the negth
eor6 1P R # al h f e Ee q54 aoe a" u"
yesterday report few through camp that the
my were in pursuit OF and within mile. The troops
though wholly interpreting attack speedily formed
in line Of battle, eager for the fray. But it false
alarm. A scouting party of the enemy had followed
US aud came within half mile Of our camp, and then
retired, on learning proximity"
The withdrawal from camp Barlow well plan
ned but badly executed far the loss Of
considerable baggage and camp equpage, account Of
the enfeebed condition Of the teams. The retirement
of our forces not caused by any apprehension Of
an attack by the enemy-such attack we had vainy
waited for weeks, and confident it would never
come 1t was cccasioned solely by considerations OF
winter quarters and hauling of provisions over almost
impossible roads. Only one fault was committcd-the
withdrawal was done in too much haste Instead OF
taking a week to perform it, (Which would have been
proper il view Of Bad roads and impoverished teams
I twas executed in day; baggage was burnt, wagons
broken aud laid the road horses falling dead the
road and tossed the bank camp equipage thrown
away everything wearing much the appearance of
a hurried retreat before our enemy"
The mud was ankle deep aud cold, and we could
scarcely find our quarters, which generally tents
but occasionally unfinished og-huts Several hundred
men had been detailed for weeks in this mountain t.
build cabins but they had done comparatively but little
for our comfort. L.P.
LETTER FROM CoLUMBUs-The correspondent of the