Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-08-13
To the Editors Of the Enquirer:

Copy gf Cotonet te9TGmS letter and zen
eral Ga7netts order.
To the Editors Of the Enquirer:
MONTEREY, Aug. 6, 1861.
There are now assembled at this place scve
raj regiments, and amongst them, some who
retreatcd from Laurel Hill They seem to
havo recovered very much from their long and
fatiguing march, and the presence few days
ago OF one Of our distinguished Generals,
seems to have inspired nil Of our troops with
renewed animation and confidence
Iu all disasters there seems to be disposi.
ton, in those who have been subjected 10 thcul,
to attribute their misfortunes to those who
be owing to this principle Of human nature
course pursued by Col. W. G. Scott, Of the
44th regiment, in relation to the transactions
on Rich Mountain, on the 18th ult.
Previous to my arrival at this place, con.
fess some. accounts read in the papers had
made some little iu preston on my own mind
but being of those who could not be made to
believe that he would, under eny circunastan-
ces, act otherwise than honorab!y aud brave
ly, | have taken grcnt pa:ns to ascertain
precisely and minutely the facts OF the case,
ment, and from the orders to Coloue Sceit,
which be has kindly shown me, and from all!
other sources Within my reach. anu now So.
tisfed that he acted precisely right, and mad
he acted in any other manner than he did, un-
der the circumstances BY which he was sur.
rounded, and with the lights then before him,
he, and his whole command, would, to say the
least, have shared the fate Of the soldiers and
officers under Col. Pcgram.
On his way from StGanton to Laurel Hill,
Colonel Scott received repeated orders from
General Garnett, to hasten bis march as much
as possible On the night OF the 10th Of July,
he encamped ut Beverley, and on the morning
of the llth, he received another order to the
same effect rs the preceding. After break
fast, be started for Laurel Hill, and after get.
ting some four or five miles on the way, hr
was overtaken by messenger from Colonel
Pegram, with letter which stated that it was
almost certain" the enemy were working their
way around his right fmk, 10 cotne into the
turnpike, which led from his camp to Beverley,
by road which entered it ono and half
miles from Beverley, ard suggested that Col
Scott should place bis regiment Fin position
on that road" that hc had cavalry scouting
between his camp and that road, and would
reinforce Colonel Scott as soon is he got in.
formation Of the approach of the enemy; that
he would write to General Gsrnett iEfJrming
him OF his opinion as 10 the movements Of the
enemy, and OF the request he had made Of
Colonel Scott; and thar he need nvt say how
fatal j, would be to have ,hc enemy in cur
rear, as it would entirely cut otf our supplies.
The messenger who brough! this letter went
on to Laurel Hill.
Col Scott did TO; hesitate moin:nt, but
turned Immediately around; returned !; rapid
pace to Beverley, and wth"u. stopping went at
right angles up the turnpike towards Colonel
Prgrau's camp, till he reached Inc road ndi.
Gated by Coione! PegraE,, and placed his rcgi.
ment in position on thc: road, as requested by
him. In dong so, he INTENDED 10 place him.
self entirely under the cGimnand Of Colonel
Pegram.
1t was COL P's post; it was to be presumed
that he was acquainted with the localities and
with the supposed morclnen:s Of the enemy, Of
all which COL S. was ignorant, and COL 5. had
gone there only for temporary purpose, and
be would have deemed it entirely wrong not
to have yielded obedience to Col. P.'s orders.
After turning around, and in gvus back to-
wards Beverley, Col. S. WAS nsked by QUO Of
his Captains if he was not ordered by Genera!
Garnett to 60 10 Laurel Hill, and being an
swcred in the alternative, the officer asked him
if he felt himself authorized 10 d;sobcy Cen
Garnetts orders; 10 which he replied he would
take the responsibility of doing so.
In order to giveyou readers better idea
Of places and aHairs, send you the following
diagram, which was taken from one scnt by
Gen. Garnet the night after the battle, with
an order to Col Scott, but which, presume,
was not intended to be very accurate:
Eoaring Creek.