Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-07-20

Captains Irving, Curry, Anderson, and others
Col. Pegram taken frlsoner-lhe he'e"' u
our Gallant little Band.
RICHMOND, July 18th, 1851.
To the Editor Of the Wig:
It is sad pleasure to communicate to you q state
Of affairs in Northwestern Virginia that at first
sight NAV appear disastrous, but which upon closer
examination sheds many ray of satisfaction ana
announcement to our future career-satistacton
that our late illsuccess has lost to our state that
norton which should never have been defended,
and announcement from the fact that our gallant
bows fight with so much success against thousand
odds.
Camp Garrett is situated in a gorge just beyond
the pass that runs between Rich and another noun
tain. The low slope of this latter mountain re-
treats from the camp, and consequently does not
command it: but the more perpendicular slope of
Rich mountain is adjacent TO the position, and upon
it there is an eminence that is considered the very
kew to Camp Garnett. On Tuesday last Col Pc
gram, knowing the importance of this point, de-
tached three companies buckingham Lee Guard,
Rockbridge Guard and Pryor Rihes,) and one gun
from the Lynchburg Artillery to secure the position
at all hazards. They gained the height, and about
ten o'clock, had built the breastwork to the height
of two logs; meanwhile, the enemy, guided by the
Union mountaineers, had by squads and companies
reached point beyond the breastworks and little
more elevated. Immediately they commenced an
attack our unnnlSneQ DTedSIWUTh
distance of fifteen hundred yards. They advanced,
and fired with Minnie rifles necessarily. No execu
ton however was done with these arms. Our loss
was at shorter distances from the deadly fire of our
brother VirginiGnS Approaching within five hun
dred yards, they began to feel the fatal shots from
our boys At this and shorter distances they were
moved down like wheat before the blade. At eve
nv volley from they fell back in confusion, but
their overwhelming numbers pressed forward until
dicch their N faces.
we thought retreat better than fool-hardy death,
and each one sought safety in flight down the other
side of the mountain.
The whole force of the enemy was said to have
been eight thousand Three thousand advanced to
the attack while the rest were held in reserve
Part of the reserve occupied Rich Mountain, while
part descended that mountain crossed the pass and
occupied the side of the other mountain not far from
the road-thus being on both sides of the road in
order suppose to cut off Col. Pegram, if he should
attempt retreat to Beverly. Our whole force in
the engagement was about two hundred and fifty.
We held the enemy in check with this little handful
for an hour and half Leonidas with his three
hundred Spartans could have done no more. Our
loss was, considering all the circumstances, compar
atively small, sixty will cover the whole. The
Buckingham Lee Guard suffered most severely, hav-
ing thirty men, together with Captain Irving and
Lieutenant Boyd killed. Capt Curry of the Rock
bridge Guard and Capt. Anderson of the Lynch
hundred of the enemy found merited doom in
death.
The battle began at halfpast one and ended at
three At sunset report says that Col P. led six
companies out from his camp up Rich mountain to
retake his position, but installing his way he miss
ed his mark, and told his men to save themselves as
best they could, he would return and bring out the
regiment In this latter attempt he was taken pris-
oner. Many of his men cut through the enemy and
came up with our regiment on its retreat This is
the last we know of the affair.
Now for the movements of our (44th) regiment
That morning 1.-THE 11th( we resumed our march at
Beverly from Staunton to Laurel Hi and had ad-
vanced five miles, when Col Scott received dis
patch from Col Pegram urgently begging for assis-
lance Col. S. faced about marched back to Bever-
ly and took road almost at right angles for Rich
mountain. Within three miles of Rich mountain
he heard the firing and advanced at quick time to
the scene of action. Arriving there at three o'clock
when the firing had almost ceased, he halted in the
mountain path. And upon his six hundred uncon-
scious men, the reserve of the enemy were looking
down from each mountain. They must have mis-
taken for friends or our destruction would have
been certain. Col S. was not aware of the proxim-
ity of the enemy until he sent forward a scout dip
ford, of Fluvanna,) to reconnoitre. This scout be-
ing shot he Immediately ordered retreat. Sending
on the baggage train he returned to Beverly. Here
he halted an hour and resumed his march towards
Cheat Mountain. After two nights and a DAYS
march, we reached Greenbrier River at which place.
Saturday morning, left the camp, on special detail
for Richmond.
During the retreat, sad accident happened, by
the turning over of a loaded wagon. Lieut. R. H.
Mcconnell, of the Richmond Zouaves and Lieut.
Robt T. Brightwell, of the Randolph Guards, and
Private Peasants of the Zouaves, were killed, and
some others were crippled.
Truly.
LIE ZOUAVE.
Brilliant Action of Florida Volunteers--Recap