Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-06-10
From t1s Di,ps'sh.
TIE FIGHT AT PHILIPPL-C0RRECT' AND RE.
IIAQTE DETAILS

LIABLE DETAILS.
Col J. W. Spaldipg, of this city, who was particle
pator in the recent fight at Phlpp gives us the ioi,
loving particulars of that affair Our forces posted
in the town of Phippi and numbered IN all about 700
effective fighting men.
The commanding officer, Gel Porterfeld, having been
informed on Sunday, by g courageous lady, who rode
from Paramount in Marion county through the lines OF
the enemy at Grafton, and thence to Philppi dis
lance of 26 miles, that it the purpose Of the enemy
to attack u.s. and knowing his superior force, determined
upon retiring to Beverly which is distant 80 miles Not
having hand the proper mode OF conveyance horses
and wagons impressed with the view OF leaving at
midnight.
IL stated that an order Issued for the pickets
ou.poss and scouts to be in at IL O'Clock on Sunday
night and this order obeyed. The baggage OF the
respective companies placed upon the wagons but
for some reason best known to the commanding officer,
the horses were attached and they left standing
in the street.
Il was in this position of affairs that on the morning
of Monday about daylight the enemy opened fire upon
US from two gun battery of Founders, posted upon
crowned point upon the opposite shore OF the Tygars
Valley River which successfully commanded the camps
of the Churchve Cavalry of Augusta, and the Cavalry
of Rockbridge numbering altogether about $50 men,
who were situated the opposite side OF the river
The horses of these corps being unaccustomed to the
fire of artillery broke from the picket ropes, by which
they were tied to the fence and stampeded in the widest
confusion dsshng in among the halformed infantry and
filling the streets.
Il was som, time before the confusion produced by
both the FIRE and stampede was overcome. Meanwhile
the enemy upon the opposite side OF the river endeavor
ed to force the passage OF tho bridge with one peace OF
artillery which he had held in reserve; but in this move
men he was checked by bold charge Of Capt Rchards
OF the bath Cavalry who stationed on the opposite
aide of the road. running fro then ensued, which
continued up the main street OF the town. the enemey
having finally succeeded in crossing the bridge and the
successive discharges from the troops brought him to
stand during every few rods OF his progress
ga reaching the curve of the road leading towards
Beverley the foot rrops having been formed by their
respective officers the main engagement took place and
terminated in the final flight at Sturns house. mile and
half from the village. Here the enemy received a
check gave up the chase aud Col. Porterfed made
good his retreat to the village ofBeverley.
Col Wiley, OF Morgautown, was taken prisoner In
his quarters, opposite TO Capotis Hotel When last seen
he was near the window, having been an invalid for
some days. .
A Mr.. Martin of Northwestern Virginia ID also be-
leved to have been captured by the enemy.
The corps of Capt. Norman, Of Pendleton county,
we're particularly effective also that OF Capt Hail.
Of Monterey.
Lieut.. Thompson, of the Fairmout Rifles, bore him.
self we'll during the action closing up his ranks with the
GOODNESS of an old soldier. So did Capt. Higgnbotham
of Upshurs corps.
The successful termination Of the fight and the warmth
of the contest may be attributed TO the wonderful gal
antry of the men, rather than TO thu superintendent Of
any general officer and numerous instances NIGH be
lated of the most determined bravery on the part oil
individuals The majority Of our men showed admirable
pluck.
The United States soldiers fred at random though
ed with Minnie rifles which accounts for our small loss.
The enemy was about 3 900 strong, though, from the
character of the country they unable to bring the
entire body into action. Through lady, who has since
arrived at Beverley it appears they acknowledge 10 70
killed but the presumption is that there were many
more-to say nothing Of sixty or seventy wounded who
were rapidly removed from the field.
Our own loss far is ascertaned are Mr.. Hanger
OF the Augusta cavalry, who was killed near the
bridge; Mr. Martini OF Rockbridge, and Mr.. Thomas H.
Sims of Richmond. The latter individual when last
seem was bravey defending himself the wagon OF
the Quartermatter, to whom he vas an assistant The
st wound he received was from man who was mount
ed but who afterwards met his deserts at the mouth OF
musket. His last and mortal wound Mr.. s. received
while between his wagon and the fence, when he
eudeavoring TO mount horse which WAS near by. he
had been up during the entire Light preparing the
vouchers for the horses which had been pressed into
service and were to be paid for These vouchers
upon his person, and, with his body are presumed to
have been taken by the enemy.
Capt Richards of the Bath Cavalry, who was report
cd to be killed. escaped unhurt and reached Beverley
with his corps on Monday.
Private L. b. Dangeried, from tho Warm Springs,
was not killed a. reported He received severe aud
bones being crushed He was taken to Beverley in &
wagon where his leg removed Tuesday morning,
ust below the knee. Nearly at the time Mr.. Dan
grrfed was struck Mr. Hogshead received flesh wound
Ia the arm and number Of others struck, but not
dangerously injured.
Oae Of the most frightened individuals of the entire
party was a negro man, who knocked down by the
wind OF a six-pound ball. He Immediately sprang to his
feet jumped upon borse and reached Beverley two
hours in advance of any one else.
Such was tue suddenness of the attack that some Of
the men had not time to dress.
Col Porterfeld is Beverley, where il is expect
ed he can successfully maintain his position until reir
forced No doubt is entertained that the information Of
the absence Of artillery in the command OF Porterfeld
was communicated 10 Gen. McCleland at Grafton to-
gelher with the fact that forces intended TO move
that night, by resident traitors.
As an illustration of the bravery Of Virginia women,
we have above given one instance. Here is another ::
When the firing commenced, and while Mr.. Sims was
irving to get the Qiartermaserd baggage upon wagon,
a lady, seeing his difficulty. boldly forward, not
withdrawing bullets were flying around her, took ono
end of tho trunk and assisted him in his work.
The chest of the Adams EEpre5s Company captured
BY the enemy bat fortunately Qlartermaster Jordan had
taken the precauon to remove the money it contained
and the funds ere now safe at Beverly.
number CT defective rifles from Harpsrs Ferry, were
no doubt aiso taken from the jail but the number Of
rms heretofore TeJored captured il greatly eIegger