Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-10


the first Here the shRrpest part of the conflict oc-
CURED. The enemy maintained their position with
considerable obsdnaey, wounding several Of our
men and killing some.
Our fire becoming too hot again for the enemy
they retired to an adjoining wood. Again our men,
dashed on to the charge ascending the brow of the
second bill, and shooting as they went. at this
stage Capt. Jackson's artillery hurried to the
front 1t came dashing through the field and TO the
brow Of the hill. and letting fly two rounds, the
enemy disappeared through the woods. 10 the
meantime, Capt Harris artillery had crossed the
field and assembled an adjoining HILL but not in time
to give the enemy few Of bis grape The Hessians
were now in full retreat all hands, and az they
descended from the nil to the ravine and road upon
the other side, Col McCauslin pitched into them
with his force, when the whole broke and took to
the woods, every for himself Had not The
Yankee Colonel run before his men, be would
doubtless have been captured BY this part Of our
force.
Pursuit was Immediately determined upon BY
our General On our gallant men rushed in more
than double quick time, and continued the purs nit
for some eight or ten miles, but with no other re-
suit than the capture of number OF prisone rs,
four baggage wagons, one ambulance, and several
guns and other articles. A fine chest of medicines
was captured, which is now in the hands of my
friend, DR. Gleyes from Wytheville.
We attacked the enemy so early and Unexpectedly
that they evidently had to leave without breakfast
for, we passed their camp bushels Of stolen
roasting ears quantities of beef, pigs and bread
were found on their fires.
have not learned the loss Of the enemy. All of
them were Ohioans, and we learned from the pris-
oners that Col. Tyler, his Lieut. Colonel, Surgeon
and preacher, sll ran soon after the engagement
opened. They cursed them soundly for their
eowardly conduct in deserving their men so early
in the action. They had left their main provision
train go wagons) 10 miles to the rear, or we
should have captured the whole Of them.
All of our men and officers acted with the great
est gallantry and courage. General Floyd, who is
brave as lion, followed with his staff, and in
his red hunting Shirt upon the very heels Of the
troops, Frequently in their very midst) eneourag
ing them by his example and commanding voice.
The battle will be known as that of Cross Lanes,
and is of far more significance than the number
of killed and wounded would indicate.
Colonel Tyler's command was one of the very
best of the enemy-he, one Of their crack officers.
1t has for long time been proving all through
this country holding il 10 complete subsection. Ty
Ter it was who boosted that he would march to
Lewisburg at all hazards, and would catch Floyd
and Wise and feed them on beans. 1t has now been
defeated routed and dsgrGced, with all its prestige
gone.
General Floyd's advance to this side of Gauley,
with nothing but single ferry boat in the rear to
command q retreat over dangerous stream. was
considered rash by some, but rashness ia sometimes
prudence, and 1t has proven eminenty in this in
stance.
We hold position here from which four times
our number cannot dislodge u.s. and are prepared at
any favorable moment 70 make rapid advance
movement. Our friends may depend upon 1t, that
this Brigade will take no step backwards and that,
if it be properly supported, it will, together with
General Wise's Legion, drive the enemy across the
Ohio before the fall campaign closes.
Among the enemy killed is Capt Dyer, of Ohio,
who fought through the Mexican war in a much
better cause. BE was gallant officer, and was
killed in fatal effort to rally his men. On yester-
day Sunday party of Gen. Wise's troops, about
l20 in number, commanded by Col. Jenkins, was
ambushed by large party Of the enemy, supposed
to be not less than 700 and pretty badly wOrsted.
They were scouting, and left the road to attack a
body of the enemy's cavalry in distantfeld While
doing this, the enemys infaatry got in the rear a
retreat was ordered, but too late to escape rakng
fire as they dashed back to their camp Several
were wounded, one killed and several horses shot.
The occurrence took place about six miles below
Gen. Wise's camp, aud not far from the Hawks
Nest. The Legion advanced TO attack them. but
they retired. The Nelson, SulJ til, and Tazewen
companies were in the fight.
CAMP GAULEY, August 29.-Since the battle on
Monday morning last. nothing Of special interest
has transpired in this command. But little sickness
prevails, and we all in good spirits and quar-
ters
Our prisoners numbered 1O4, all of whom have
jus. marched for Richmond, under strong escort
We are picking up others almost every hour and
dul sure lOss OF TIC % least
$50 us, and complete disorgsniz5 ION Of Tyler's
command. The general impression of their men
seemed to be that would shoot every one of them
with Tut judge or jury, and when this delusOn
expelled by our kind treatment complete change
in their spirits plainly manifest and they SEEM
ed quite pleased with their lot The officers were
put on parole Of honor, and were rendered all the
courtesies of the camp.
We arr sted yes egday in cur camp, four or five
Union men, who have been guilty of the REASONABLE
offence of plotting the enemy through this country.
They were then here spies, under the gsrb of
friendship. They were sent to-day to Lewisburg
Jail.
1t appears that the scouting party Of cavalry IN
der Colonel Jenkins, were not anbuscaded in their
collision with the enemy on Sunday last, as at first
reported but that the accident occurred by stFate
getic movement on the part of the enemy altogether
unavoidable on cur part. Col. jenkins had out his
scouts at proper distance. lie engaged body of
the enemy's cavalry for about an hour, and while
thus engaged, large party of his infantry by long
circuit around nil, got into his rear too far for
his sentinels TO give the alarm. Before he discov-
cred this, however, Colonel Jenkins had ordered a
retreat, he CALAMITY covering it with a small squad
of his men. They had retreated but a short dis
lance, when the rattle of the enemy's musketry
aPprised them of their danger. They were COM
PEELED to run the gaun tet for quarter of a mile,
with the loss Of one killed aud several wounded. Il
seems providential that any escaped.
Col jenkins was seriously hurt by the fall of his
horse and will not be capsule of service for sever
al days.