Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-09-25

ley's company, Amherst were the most severely
bHrt None other of this company was hurt, anu
only one in Capt Sneads company, Bryant
At the close Of the eight, council OF war was
held and upon our knowledge OF the enemy
strength together with the information we received
from our prisoners il was determined to retire all
our forces to the south side OF Gauley, ana not
hazard an attack the next morning.
~Weiearn from the prisoners that the enemy was
nine regiments strong, with six pieces OF artillery
and taat they would be reinforced by General COX,
in the morning, with two more regiments and two
pieces of artillery. They also informed US that
General Rosencranz commanded in person.
Our force was only l,700 men, and while we had
strong reason to believe that could maintain our
position even against such terrible odds, we did not
think it prudent to hazard so much.
We had dispatched to Gen. Wise, in the morning
for reinforcement and he had declined to send them
for fear of an attack upon aim by Gen. Cox. we
had also sent courers for the North Carolina ana
Georgia regiments to come up, but it was impossoie
for them 20 reach US in time to support u.s.
At 10 o'clock last night therefore, our forces pro-
ceeded to retire from the position they had so nero
ically defended during the day, ana by light, thus
morning they were all safely and in order across the
river with ali their baggage, &C., except some few
things, which were lost from neglect and want OIL
transportation.
We arc now pitching our tents at this place, on
the main Charleston road, about 10 miles IRON
Gauley Bridge and SO miles west OF Lewisourg
Gen. Wise is encamped at Dogwood Gap, few
miles above us, while portion OF his force hoids
the Hawks Nest below us.
think the public and all military men will agree
that both our fight and our fall back to this side oil
the river are among the most remarkable incidents
in the history of war. Seventeen hundred men,
with six inferior pieces of artillery, fought back four
times their number with much superior artillery,
fer more than four long hours repulsng them three
times, and remained masters of the ground. They
then retired their numbers, baggage, stores, and
more than two hundred sick and wounded, across
the river, from 20 P. NJ. to A. NJ, along one Of
steepest and worst ngle.track roads that ever
horses hoof trod or man ever saw. Four o'clock
found these men three miles from the enemy, with
our newly constructed bridge destroyed and our
boats sunk behind US. think these facts show
generalshp seldom exhibited anywhere.
Since the above was written Gems. Wise and Floyd
had fallen back to Big Sewel and afterwards to
Meadow Bluff. about ten miles west of LewiSburg.
At the last account Rosencrantz and Cox with SUI
perior force were advancing to attack them. Our
forces have thus been compelled several times tc
retrace their steps owing to the superior force of the
enemy.
The following brilliant movements were made BY
Col Davis cavalry of Gen. Wise'S Legion:
| OFFICIAL REPORT OF COL j. LUCIUS DAVIS
BIvoUAcK ON BIC Coal RIvFR
September 18th, 1861.
| General Wise:
SIR In obedience to your orders, proceeded to
Fayette C. H., with five companies of my regiment
of cavalry and left that place with six Caskies be
| ing added On the 1lth crossed the Cotton Noun
tans and marched to this place, thirty-fve miles,
| having forded the tortuous Coal river nnety-two
| times.
| Finding that two companies of the enemy were in
our vicinity a marauding excursion, rapid chase
was given by our whole force under the immediate
command of Col. Clarkson.
The enemy was overtaken and the sharp skirmish
of Toneys creek ensued In it the enemy were to-
tally routed with the loss of about fifty killed and
wounded, and the same number prisoners.
| The latter are en- route for your camp, under
charge of Lieut. Tucker and thirty men.
Sixty fat cattle were captured; also six saddles,
lot of boots and shoes, seven horses several car
rages and wagons-the latter OF little account be-
ing broken and injured by rough roads. Fifty or
| sixty stand Of valuable arms and lot Of ammuni-
ton was the most valuable part of our capture.
No one was wounded on our side.
The action lasted three hours, the enemy having
been pursued to within twelve miles Of Charleston
! and in sight of the Kanawha river The whole dis
lance traversed by in less than twenty-fou
hours being seventy five to eighty miles, over steep
mountainous trails, bride paths and rocky fords.
Time is insufficient to discuss individual merit,
farther than Col Clarkson exhibited his dashng en-
ergy in remarkable degree, and was the real COM
mander in this brilliant skrmiSh.
The enemy had been acting the part of brigands
in this valley stealing every species OF property in
suting women, taking men and little boys prisoners.
| Among the property taken by them ought to be
mentioned cattle horses, negroes, &c.
Your obed't serv't j. LUCIUS DAVIS,
Col. LIST Cavalry, Wise Legion.
f. tho C,,rd,rJ