Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-12-18
Why Floyd Escaped.


nal, dated Gaulcy Bridge. Dec. 9Th, VIC
take the following in regard to the move
ment Of Gen. Rosccrans' forces in endeav-
cring to bag the traitor-thief Floyd. 1t
will be remembered that Gen. Benham is
now under arrest for lis action, or rather
iaaction. in that affair. The correspon-
dent says:
On the last day of October, General
Rosecrans ordered General Benham to move
his camp from the New River, five miles
above its junction with the Gauley at eau
ley Bridge, TO Cannelton, ten miles below
the Bridge. Ou the morning of the list
of November, Floyd commenced firing from
batteries be had planted on the hill oppO-
site Gen. Cox's camp, extending from the
Bridge down the kanawha to the Falls
General Beuham. on his way to Cannelton,
as FER order Of the day, before hearing Of
the attack on Cox, halted above the Bridge,
and out of range of Floyd's batteries until
night. Here he received orders from Gen
eral Rcsecrans, in consideration Of the un-
expected presence of the enemy, to halt at
the Ferry Just below the Falls, and be-
You'd General Cox's camp, and from there
to march upon lloyd over the mountain
As he passed General Cox's camp, he ex
amined his position, and declared it IN
tenable. So dangerous was the occupancy
of this very important post that General
Beuham believed it would be shellod out
in one hour, on the resumption of the fire
on the ID. As the point to which he was
ordered was only at the lower end Of Gen
eral Cox's camp, he therefore, asked per-
mission to proceed to Loop Creek, three
miles further down the KanaWha, and cross
the river, from which point he hoped to
get in FlOyd's rear. The permission being
given. he occupied his new position on the
bank of Loop Greek, and ready to exam
inc his route to a point where he could cut
off Floyd's retreat by the road from Fay
e~tteyille to Raleigh c. H., his only way Of
eseaie
The distance from here to the point where
this road crossed the Fayetteville road,
around the mountain, is about Is miles
If lie found it passablc, Gen. Schcnck was
to march from his camp on Mill Greek, up
on Fayetteville and attack Floyd in his
retreat if driven back by Gen. Cox, who
was left to oppose Floyd's front. Gen.
Benham's scouts found this road favorable
| for at least 10 miles up, AMI reported a
willingness to push on the whole distance.
During the next mine days Gen. Cox stood
before and replied to the fire from the bat
teIies of Floyd, silencing them sometimes,
and again exposed to them, until the 10th.
On the Sth Floyd's guns ceased and were
withdrawn. Gen. Benham not deemlng 1t
safe to move, yet remained at Loop Greek.
His orders were to move as soon possible
and by all means to effect his original pur-
pose. lie had, however, moved one rcgl-
ment within four miles of Fayetteville,
whose eagerncss to bag Floyd would have
led them to attack the rear of his retreat
ing force, weak as they were, but this the
General very properly would not allow.
On the 10th, Gen. Cox becoming ID
ious to know the position of Floyd's force,
and not knowing when Gen. Benham would
move his whole command. crossed the river
at the bridge and at the ferry with about
1900 men, and marched upon the enemy's
then quiet batteries. Floyd had fallen
back, and Gen. Cox followed him six miles
towards Fayetteville, fighting the whole
distance. from Floyd's first camp TO Laurel
creek. Here Gen Cox placed his outposts,
and as his men had been out Sc hours they
were rested.
At midnight. on the llth, Gen. Ben
ham beiug ordered again to move to the
rear to prevent the escape of Floyd, who
was then rctrcating before Gen. Cox. he
declared it impossible to proceed up Loop
! Creek with his men until morning. He
was informed that 50 late 4 movement
would defezt the plan Of surrounding the
enemy, aud as the ouly thing remaining
was to return to the Ferry and advance
upon the enemy by the same road that Gen.
Cox had taken. Accordingly, he moved
on rapidly and soon supported the worm
out forces Of Gen. Cox. He reached Lau-
rel creek about 3 o'clock ?. NJ, Oh the 18th.
Here he met the advanced force on Loop
creek, and had a skirmish with the pickets.
After driving them in, lie encamPed and
called for achievements. Gen. Schenck
was ordered to reinforce, but as the New
/ river had risen III the meantime, he was
compelled TO march down to the ferry in
stead Of going across to Fayetteville. He
left his camp, on Mill creek, on the 18th
But Floyd fed on the night of the 18th,
after the skirmish with Gen. Benham at
the cnemy'5 second camp. Gen. Beuham
followed him as soon as e discovered his
flight, and Schenck followed up Benham's
rear close enough to support him in case ef
battle. But the enemy could not be reach
ed. He was followed some distance be-
yond Fayetteville, where the last fighting
was done, with "a respectable force in Floyd's
rear covering his retreat. Benham then
suggested to Schenck, his superior officer.
that he should order a retreat, and thus it
was that Floyd escaped.
] do not propose to say who was to blame
for this last and most singular escape Of a
great bait. One thiDgi is certain. If Gen.
Benham had been bold enough to push for
ward on the Loop creek road, cutting the
Fayetteville road. Floyd would have been
company for Mason and SlidelL. Gen. Cox
certainly did his duty. and if Gen. Rose
f, Grams did not Do all that be should, it was
in not giving Bcuham a positive order to
move up Loop Cre,k sooner. Although
he undoubtedly considered lis order posi-
tive when il read. ITO more as soon as pos
siMe," but Gen. Benham may not have
thought 60. give the facts fer every
thinking man to make up his own opinion.
Benbam certainly had a fine opportunity
to immortalize himself, and ! only wonder
that, with the large force be had, he did
MT do il.
Things in the Kanawha Valley are now
very quiet. From the character Of the