New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-24
: Maior. Coumandinr Rremsnt bsltalion. :
10 FEgtDen. WlbANi NUII ilallilIns. -
HE BATTLE NEAR LEBANON.
REPORT OF MAJOR WRIGHT.
HEApQUARTKRs, CAMP -, Oct.


REPORT OF MAJOR WRIGHT.
HEADQUARTERS, CAMP -, Oct 10, 1851
GENERAL; At O'Clock a. M, morning 18th, my
command struck tents at Camp ConaDt, on Tavern
Creek and formed into column In OF the train.
/ Immediately parsed along the line, and requested
the ocere TO keep the men well clot ed up, and allow
none 10 leave their places, but 10 keep everything
ready for service at q moments notice. The reports
from the ecouts during tie night induced me 20 be-
lieve tbst the enemy might attack during the day
also went forward and suggested 10 the Quarter
master Of the 18th that the train be well closed up
Cured, until l arrived a; Justice Bennington 8,
where L learned that Second Lieut.. Laugh
lin Of Rebel Johnson's command, had come
in home, and lived one mile north Of
said Benningtons, and had q lot Of McClurg's
goods in his house. / at once detached Capt.
Crockett and his company TO bring in the Lieutenant
and search his place. The captain had not been gone
more than five minutes before saw courier coming
from the front. ut called Capt. Crockett back.
The courier arrived from Major Bowen stating that
be had been attacked and needed assistance. at
once ordered Capts. Montgomery and SWitzer for
ward at full speed TO the relief of Major Bowen.
ordered the train oorralled, and Capt. rocket TO
remain with his company and guard it until reliev we'd
by the infantry. then dispatched a courier 10 you
for TO guard the train and support your cavalry
after which went forward 10 the scene of action.
found Major Bowen some two miles forward and
one half mile south Of Mr. Lewis 8, the Ii banon
road. lmIDeQlhteIy ndQ u conference Win MhlOT
Bowen and we mutually agreed to the disposition of
our forces and plan of attack The rebels, at that
time, occupied high ridge Immediately in our
front one-half mile south Of us. The presumption
was that we would have no immediate relief IRON
the infantry in time 10 secure the rebels aud i'm
mediate attack was received on. The disposition
was as follows: Capt. Montgomery company were
already on the night, and ordered Capt. Swtzer TO
DIN him, flank the enemy, and engage them at any
hazard.
Major Bowen, with two companies of his com
mand, went 10 the left. took charge Of con-
psny Of Major Bowens cavalry at his request, and
took position in the center, as you found on
arrival observed at that time that the enemy was
moving 10 the right. ordered Capt. Crockett for
ward, TO support them, knowing that they Ou,num-
bered US. then went TO the right myself, found
that Cats. SHitzler and Montgomery had formed q
junction and succeeded in fenk1ng the enemy, and
held them at bay. The eneray was commanded by
Capts Lorrels, Wright, Thurman, Bell, Fsin, and
Hawthorn, and were drawn up In line OF battle.
My two companies threw themselves into line and
were ordered 10 receive their fire, return IL steadily
and then charge with their sabers and never allow
the enemy time 10 reload their pieces all Of which
order was carried out 70 the letter, with GOODNESS
and determination Matecthced true bravery, an both
officers and men, and struck terror along the whole
line They could not stand such charge, prompt,
70 uniform, and 90 determined, that the result
general rout, and In short time running fight
which extended for one mile and half
With the lOIOWmB IcbuIJ MS VIC COuiu dSccI-
ain, without occupying too much time to hunt
through the brush: OF the Rebels there were n
killed; mortally wounded, severely wounded, 2
slightly wounded, and 80 prisoners. We also got
iorses 81 guns, most Of which, however, were |
broken around trees on the field; they were mostly
I'D rifles aud double. barreled shot guns Officers
md men all agree that there were many more killed
md wounded, but we did not hunt them up. Our !
oss was one man killed and two horses slightly |
wounded.
cannot call your special attention to every one OF
he officers or men in those two brave companies. |
They are each one OF them as true Us STEEL and III
his charge with ak 10 one against them, they ex-
bted GOODNESS and determination that those Of more
experience might proudly initiate Yet, feel thai
vould do injustice not TO speak Of the tenscty with
which Capt. Switzler adhered to the order OF
charge" and the promptDess and the energy OF
capt. Montgomery In carrying IL out.
cannot omit naming Lents. Montgomery, Payn-
or, and Stocksdale. Not nerve quivered in those
'rave men; nothing left undone that GOODNESS and
Energy could do in carrying out orders, encouraging
he men, and dealing death-blows 10 Rebelg. One
Incident / must be permitted 10 mention. Lieut.
y ontgomery, after exhaustipg his revolver and
ionolng up his saber in a haDd.t0-hand light, 30
hst was rendered useless, not satisfied with the
lai-dossn he had already dispatched be charged on
7st smother, and with one blow Of his hist made him
,ite the dust.
Iappend partial lit of the prisoners, with their
l9fnes, rank, and residence:
Henry Laoshn, Second Leutensst Co. A. JohnaoDs reg.
ment a. ~. Ebert Second Sergeant co. u j. II. Zone
v. T.. Williams Fihh Corporal Co b, b. W. Give fir,t
ergeant Co VI j. n Huner Second Sergeant. C. S. b.
.s fa ri eSagy T.G Pirate J. 4 Lane phi
o. J. X, Laushlin, do b. Clark do H. NJ Dickinson do
All Of which is respectfully submitted.
have the honor to be; very respectfully,
CLARK wRIeiSf, Va Con- Stsmop; Bsn.