Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-07-25
FROM GEN. WIsE's DIVISION.
BRILLIANT CAMPAIGN IN TIE KANAwHA VAL

y FROM GEN. WESE'S DIVIslON.
BRILLIANT CAMPAIGN IN TIE KANAwHA VAL
LEY.
letter from an efa,er In the Wise Legion, received
in hs city yesterday gives some interesting particulars
Of the recent brilliant action in Western Virginia We
have been permitted to make the following summary Of
facts from the letter:
The battle took place on the afternoon of the l7b,
near the mouth Of Coal River, on the Kanawba. The
enemz forces twelve hundred strong and we're led
BY Col Norton the commander Of the Federal expedi.
ton sent against WISE Our strength did not e1.
Deed nine hundred and Fifty, of which not moro than
four hundred we're at any time actually engaged, under
command Of Capt George Patton, formerly Of Rich-
mond Tho attack was made by the enemy, most unex-
psctedy to our men, who had been informed and cor
rsctly informed by scout that the Federass were on
the other side of the Ksnavhs River the latter having
rapidly crossed 10 steamboats, lower down the stream
without the knowledge of Captain Patton. The battle
lasted four hours and proved most disastrous TO the enc
nv At one time our men thrown into some disorder
but their brave leader quickly rallied them again, and,
with two hundred followers made dashing charge upon
tho opposing column In which he fell snsrty woundsd
The confusion naturally created BY his fall under the
The command was at once assumed BY Col. AxDlasoS,
ofNicasguan ame rather this officer, who was posted
on an adjoining hill with reserve, rushed forward TO Is.
sumo the command but before he could reach tho spot
auothe, reserve the enemy ank had put them com.
peely TO rou wounding and taking prisoner the Cole
mel in chief The disparity Of arms was even greater
than that Of numbers. The enemy had several heavy
rifle cannon our forces bad bu. two small smoothbore
pieces The following officers taken prisoners and
will probably be sent to Richmond: CO.. Norton, Com
mapder in chief of the expedition Col. Viliers, Col
woodrua, Lieut. Col. Nsf, Captains Hard and Austin
aud Lieut. Brown. The battle was fought on our side
entirely BY Virginia troops. Two hundred and thirty Of
the enemy we're killed. Our loss was but three killed
and few, very few, wounded, among whom was Cap =.
Patton who was in foe spirits, laughing and talking with
Col. Norton, who was wounded and a prisoner in the
same room.
The rout was complete that IL Is not likely that the
enemy will show themselves again towards Charestown
CHARLESTON, Va, July ls, 1881.
To The Editor of the Wig:
Believing that you would like to hear o: the result of
the battle which took place the 18th inst 10 miles
below this place. give you the facts which have gath
cred from several Of the o and engaged in the
fight Six hundred men, under Major George s. Patton,
part of the 22i Rsgmsnt Of Virginia Volunteers,
achieved most glorious victory, over 800 Of the Fed
era forces under the command Of Col Norton at the
mouth of Scarey Creek 10 miles below Charleston on
the river. After warm contest of4 hours and 20 min.
u.es our forces succeeded in completely routing Them
driving them back miles, killing, woundng and cap.
turing large number. Among those captured are Col
Norton, Col De yilisrs, ColNef Lieut.. Col. Woodruff,
Capt.. Austin, aud another Captain whose name did
not learn.
Upon our side, We lost killed and : wounded,
among the latter sorry to say Ia hsor G. s. Patton
He was struck down BY canister shot while in the &C.
of cheering bis He ia wounded in the arm near
the shoulder but the wound though serious not con-
sid red dangerous He is brave and brilliant young
officer Lieut. James Welch Of the artillery va. killed
while dsobarsing His piect be was struck BY . cannon
ball on the head which nearly severed his head from his
BODY He was noble aud brave fellow and died. where
he wished in the service Of mis- country and by the side
of his gun.
Our forces only had cannon, Founders, while the
enemy had brass pieces Of heavier caber than ours and
decided advantage Of position Considering the disad
vantage under which Major Patton aborsd it is Indeed
brisn, yisto,y, nv tie rst ono n the defence Of the
Confederate States over In the Valley Of the lanawhs.
In haste yours truly. ED
The Enquirer Of yesterday morning contained the
following ssco4ni Of tbs highly eredtabe aud successful
achier ement OF our arps
GLORIOUS NEWS FROM THE WISE LEGION
BRILLIANT VICTORY.
Dr.. II. II. Peen Medical Director OF the Wise Legion
srrived in this city last ught direct from the seat OF var
in the Kanavha valley, and brings some cheering intel
igence Of the movements OF gallant troops in that
section.
Ga Wednesday last detachment of our troops num-
boring two hludseQ, s,stoneq q, an Outpost Sea-
reg creek, sixteen miles beloy Chsrleston They we're
attacked during the day, by division Of Ohio aud In
diana troops tventyeght hundred strong aud though
the assault was vigorous our men held the post for two
hour when they received reinforcement Of four hun
dred At this time delivered couple Of round,
of chanshot into the ranks Of the invaders which wound
up the Eight
The battle was fought in an open 6eld our N gu unpro
tectsd by anything save thlir arms aud inynoble
spirits.
The resul. OF tho engagement wss loss on our side
Of three men killed, and slightly wounded; while,
At She io-el eaarste one hundred and seventy Eve Of
the nvaders wore made 70 oits tho das We also cap
tured two Colonels two lieutenant Caonels three Cap
tans and Major, aud about forty prisoners among
than, Mr.. Roberts, q member of the Wheeling Conven.
tion and the special correspondent Of the Cincinnati
Commercial, who was caught in . hollow tree, with his
report already written out Of the brilliant victory they
we're just going, but didn't happen to gain owing to the
interference 9f cur trec.5.
The captured oflce7 now at the White Sulphur
Springs, Cd their way TO Richmond.
ANOTHER BRILLIANT FEAT
most gallant achievement vas performed the day
before In the section by eghytwo Dragons under
command Of the intrepid Col Carkson laid 10 General
Wis., while on a scouting expedition. Dividing his
command into equal parties he took the commsnd Of
one himself and assigned tho oshsr 70 o.ptaiu Brock,
o! the Rockb,idge Oavalry Advancing upon body Of
the enemy by the direct road he cent Captain Brock
around the hill.
The enemy discovered Col Carlson when two hun.
ired yards distant, and they rerested rapidly up the
hill followed By the gallant Colonel. Tbs enemy lost
killed In their retreat Capt Brock attempted to
charge up on the other side OF the HILL but IL too
prscfpitcu, sllax Of it. Col Clarkson 10 the mean
time, discovered hat the rc,rv-~- party vi" IAN
back camp Of fifteen hundred men, notwiihs:a,um.
noble little band, rushed through the startled camp like
vhrTnd, firing right aud left into their ranks killing
eighteen or twenty, wouuding perhaps, many more,
and before the enemy could collect their scattered
senses, effected retreat single fle down the h with
out the loss OF single man. and but one horse killed
and another wounded Some Of our men, 1t is said. ac-
tusy snstched the guns from or three Of the Yam
KEGS before they could shoot The Escape of the CON-
mand Is almost miraculous several patoons having fred
at them. The enemy had two pieces Of artillery. They
had trained them upon Cspt Brooks command but,
while in the very act Of firing both gunners we're killed
by one Of Capt D men, armed with double bairelled
shot gun.
In the battle at Scirey creek COL d,rson, Of Mica
raguan noto;ety, commanded battalion of two c0mpa-
MES from Albemarle
NEWS AND WAR ITEMS