The Shreveport weekly news., 1861-10-28

invisible. A torch had to be used
at every crossing Of the river. The
Laurel Mountain Ind to be crossed
in file, without horse falling Of a
nah dis,noum.ing, where ii6 one be-
fore, even among the inhabitants Of
that mountain, had ever dared to
tread this rugged, steep and preci-
pitous patti, on horseback.
For many miles the road was over
hung by the loftiest precipices and
skirted by impenetrable thickets OF
the laurel. and in the very region
where the traitorous sons of Virginia
and marauding Yankees had collec-
ted for ambush, plumber and blood.
Though in the nest Of traitors. our
men, with the rapids Of the river
boiling AZ their feet, violent storm
bowling over their head, the utter
darkness rendered still deeper by
the glare of the torch, with fearless
hearts ana good Wills, continued the
journey through the most broken and
wild scenery Of Western Virginia.
About three o'clock at night, on
the lin INST, VIC Slc A"i'A'" '
about two miles below US, at MIR.
Packs, the enemy would be found
numbering about FIVE hundred. 1t
was determined to attack even that
force but upon our arrival there
about, daylight, we learned the ene-
my had left the previous afternoon,
about L. NJ. carrying with fiiein MIR
Pack as prisos,er. and about sixty
head Of cattle; and number of fine
horses, robbed from the Secessionlsts
in that neislborlood. We immedi-
ately went in pursuit, and after trav-
cling about twelve miles i'll full gal
lop, found their tracks, with those OF
three small boys, whom they had
carried off rs prisoners. Then the
widest excitement moved the troops.
Captain Rosser, with his company,
were. ordered to take the lead in the
pursuit and charge. and off in full
speed dashed along his splendid COIN
mand. Every man gave a shout
some th" Indian war-whoop-and as
the column swept along. like a thun-
d-r-cloud driven by the angry winds
Of heaven. shouting the war-cry Of
victory. tn. true women and girls Of
Virginia, OF many farm along the
road, with fearful eyes, clapped their
hands with Joy, crying out. "a few
more miles, Southern soldiets. and
the enemy are yours!' These ii.
dinss gave fresh impulse to all. and
til. horses catching the inspiration
of their riders, the mountains SEEM
ed to swell with the loud shouts Of
tn. men, and the sound Of the hor-
ses' boots up and down many steep
hill
The enemy, numbering about two
hundred and fifty, was overtaken ut
Toncv's, and, after a fierce resistance
in an apple orchard and an old field
was entirely routed and driven up
til. wood in tn. mountains, with a
l,eavv load of killed and wounded,
by Captain Rosser's company, aided
BY half a dozen dashinS bold soldiers
from the other companies. Captain
Rosser took command Of the forces
from the first of the conflict, and
held it until the arrival of Colonel
Clarkson, who. being delayed on the
road did not reach the scene Of action
until the enemy We're flying up the
wood for concra!ncnt and escape.
Tn. eurn!v's loss was at least siN-
" killed, tifiv wounded and forty
nine prisoners. and the recapt"rinG Of
the horses. bccves. wagons. goods and
prisoners.
In this skir1nisl, not rider was
wounded or thrown, or n horse fell.
1'h. intention of hurrvinS on 10
Charleston, hanging Pierp"nt and
Rutiincr, burning the steamboats,, and
by rapid march returning with
prisoners and booty, had +" be aban-
doncd. rs our horses were found To
he unfit for another rapid march.