Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-21
The B...,s q Allegheny moaRtAln.


From the Richmond Dhtakh, DELI.
We received last evening, through the kindness
Of gentlemen from Western Virginia, some further
incidents of the battle fought on Friday last the
Allegheny mountain. The report which reached
the city on Sunday that the forces of Col johnson
were surprised by the enemy is, we are assured.
entirely erroneous. The action, In fact commenced
en- Thursday evening between the pickles.; snd this
contradets the statement previously made that the
enemy approached from the rear and front, turning
both our hSnks As near sswe can ascertain, the
FedeFals, who were doubtless guided by Union men
of the vicinity, came upon Col. Johnson's camp,
soon after day light from the North, their strength
being four regiments, Of about 600 men each.
They attacked our forces, consisting of three regi
ments Of an average of 400 each, two battalions,
numbering together 200 men, and two batteries Of
four guns each. The fight continued until o'clock
P. NJ. when the enemy reiterated
0le great advantage that the Federals possessed
was position behind some felled timber at q con-
venisnt distance from our camp where they were
well protected from our fire, and had good Oppor-
tunty of picking off our men whenever they showed
themselves. They were, however, finally shelled
out by our Batteries and forced to make rapid re
treat. They carried most OF their wounded down
the mountain to the smbulances, though some were
left on the field.
Captain Anderson, of the Lee Battery, was shot
dead from his horse at early period Of the fight
letter 10 Judge Camden mentions the death of an
officer of the Twelfth Georgia Regiment but gives
no name. We also hear that Lieutenant Regain was
killed, but there are contradictory statements rel
alive to the death of Lieut.. Lewis Thompson. The
Northwestern boys behaved most gallsntly, and de-
serve much praise for their heroic conduct. They
advanced and attacked the enemy three separate
times and, being thus exposed suffered more heav-
lily than any other troops. Only two companies Of
the FifGy-secOnd Virginia Regiment Colonel Bald
win's) were engaged in the hght-Csptain SINNERS
and Captain Lileys. Several were wounded in
these companies, but only one was killed.
Our infOrmants state that Col Johnson " covered
himself with glory and is entitled to the appellation
of the Hero Of the Allegheny" At an early period
of the battle when our men partially fell back I'M
der fierce charge, Col Johnson placed himself at
their head, and selling stout bludgeon, waved it
in the air, shouting words Of encouragement and
Bidding defiance to the enemy. The men were fred
with enthusiasm, and Johnson led them on to the
charge in person, sweeping the Yankees before him
like chsf IL is represented TO have been a moment
brave commander proved equal to the emergency.
A young man from the camp says that many a true
soldier shed tears over the death Of the brave An.
derson, but ali joined in the about Of joy on wit
Messing the her0ism Of Johnson.
When we take into consideration the numerical
weakness of our force and the strength and advan-
tsgeous position of the enemy, we can not but re-
gard it as of the most desperate conflicts of the
war. That the Federals suffered heavily, there is
no doubt; yet their mendscious newspapers will
pursue tuSlE ksuht CGuEoS VI lsFepfecEOtdLloH
and announce it As grand "UniOn" triumph Yet
they will scarcely have tue h4rdihoo1 TO venture
another attack upon Col. johnson AID his CONS
mand.
Prom the Richmond Inqursr, Dss II.
We have further accounts of the troops engaged
in the above battle, and the casualties on our side
The following Is an extract frcm letter written by
an officer of the 31st Virgins Regiment to a rela-
tive in this city:
"SUNMIr OF ALLgGHANY, FRIDAY NIGHT Dec. IS
l86l.-We have had q seven and quarter hours
fight here to-day, commencing at 6:45 A. n and
ending at z. ID. Our regiment met the enemy on
the right flank, and repulsed them handsomely, be-
ing aided by HansOnborOugh's Battalion The loss
in our regiment is five killed and thirty-two woun-
ded that we know of. Many are missing. We ra>
Their expect renewal of the stack in the morning
We remain in the branches tonight. The following
named troops, all under command Of Col Edward
johnson, were engaged in the fight: the 18th Geor-
gia Regiment, Col. Johnson's immediate command
the 3lsL Virginia Regiment, commanded by Major
Boy kin Colonel Baldwin's Regiment, from Angus
"a county, Virginia and Lieutenant Colonel HAMS
borough's and Major Rogers Virginia B4ttalions y
Another letter received here from prominent
citizen connected with our army, and who was in
the fight, says:
"The thirty first Virginia regiment suffered more
severely than any other regiment in the fight Of
from Harrison county, Va, belonging to the 3lst,
sustained more less than any other company in the
battle, losing in killed and wounded twenty-five
out of forty-nine engaged"
1t will be seen from the above that no mention
was made in the first reports of the regiueus hich
suffered most. The gallant Thirty first will no "
have its due honor We call special attention too
to the Harrison State Guards. Nearly one half OF
these brave fellows, whose homes are in the hands
of the enemy, sealed their patriotism with their
blood. Let such as accuEtom themselves to speak
lightly of Northwestern Virginia, show ga equal
devotion with the Harrison Guards before they
sgain indulge their indiscrimlnate censures.
COL. JouyscY's OPTICAL REPORT.
We have obtained the following extract from
Col. Johnsons official report of the enlargement on
the Allegheny Mountains on Friday last We learn
that the enemy were plotted il their attack by 8
Virginia Tory:
CAMP ALLEGHAST, Dec. IS 1861.
Colonel Yesterday sent out scouS WlO fell
in with a column CT the enemy, killing some eight
or ten.
This morning cur pickets were driven IN about
4 A. ~ | made preparations to meet the enemy.
They appeared in force not less than FIVE thou
sand men attacked our right and left On the right
there are no defensive works. On the hill to the
left we have hastily thrown up trench.
hSd only about twelve hundred effective men.
Four hundred of my men met the enemy on the
right flank, and after severe contest defeated
ments, but failed to carry them. They were met
on both points with the most determined heroism !;
and after q contest, lasting from A b. Ultl near
ly P. II. were repused with great loss.
Our victory has been complete but dearly bought.
We have lost several oficers killed, and many
wounded. Among the killed are Capt P. B. Ander-
SOD, Lees battery; Capt MOllOhan. HansbOrough's
Battalion. Wounded: Capt. Deshler my A. A. A
G.; Lieut. Col. HsnsborOugh; Lieut.. W z. ThOmp-
son, 3lst Virginia regiment and others Lieut. T.
fatally, fear.
The enemy left q large number of killed and
wounded on the field. They carried of a large
ngeber-some ten or twelve ambulance loads Of
wounded.
Prisoners taken to-day state that the enemy bad
FIVE Thousand men, drawn from HuttOnsyille Cheat
Mountain, and other places 10 rear Of Cheat Noun
tain.
will forward more detailed report at my ear
lest convenience E. JOHNSON, Col. Com.
Col. c. l.. STlvENsoS, A. A. Gen.
The Great Fire in Charleston.
Prom tho Charleston Msrs1ry.
The disaster of the lth and l2Lh nstsnts o0niin>