Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-02

was replied to with such iGterest to induce them 10
make no further Investment that way.
On the night OF the l0h inst, preparations for st-
tsckrg snd possibly cspuring the rbels, were 20 far
advanced that n selec. force from Gen Cot's brigade
crossed the Kanawha and New liver aud by o'clock
the re-t day, had driven them back three ms from all
the heights column under General Schebck, intend
ed attacking them In the resr but prevented from
crossing the river, owing 10 high water. Another col
umD under Gen. Benhsm placed TO attack their front
or nlnk and rear moved up as far possible aud be-
gan TO feel their front. sharp skrmish took place,
llsiirg from p. N until dark. While Benhatl's col
umn laid on their arms waiting for morning, the rebels
began their retreat from their eurenchej camp aud be-
fore troops discovered their movement they were
w,ll on their way TO Raleigh.
Their cavalry horses used in hauling their big
gage wagons. Gen. Beuham, on learning Of thsr re.
treat pursued tn IN for 25 miles amidst drenchinz
muddy roads, when, fading there was but lit
tie chance of oyerakng them he turned back from the
pursuit Ia q skrmish with the guard Col Croghan
of the rebel cavalry, and few otherswere killed s
thought that Floyd has conc TO the conclusion that Wes
tern Virginia is not worth fighting for. The loss
side ia but tNo.'
The above is sent by consent of Gen. Rosecrans.
CANERoN'S SPEECH AT SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
Washington eonepoudenee Of the New YORK Tribune.l
la the aisnoon very large number OF the citizens Of
Springfield called upon the Secretary at the hotel desrous
10 obtain his views upon questions connected with the
prosecution of the war. While be spoke TO them very
freely and frankly, he wished them 20 understand dis
tncty that in what he ssd he merely expressed bis
personal opinions and that Simon Cameron, he had
no conceaments to make. He would say to them that
he intended far lay 10 his power prosecute this
with all the ygor and power Of the nation. He be-
eved that we had the head Of army young Cen
eral Of great ability, aud IN whom the people could
repose confidence. He could not speak Of wha. Gen.
Mcclellan proposed to do ss his business, Secretary
of War; was to furnish ard munitions, aud to
the disposition Of the troops to tie General 10 com-
mand.
W. Cameron spoke Of the cause Of the war; and said
that everybody understood what had produced Il; it
that institution, he believed that the end of the war
would be the end Of slavery unless the rebels returned
10 their du,ies and their loyalty.
The s. cfetary in the course of the conversation fur
ther remarked that in iuiBg out the expedition which
had recently sail d for the South he had directed
that an extra quantity Of guns should accompany the
orces aud that the commander should place these
in the hands OF ANY MEN who might offer to use them
lie had no doubt at plenty OF could be found,
in South Carolina who would be willing to fight foP
the of freedom and the preservation OF the Union.
la this belief be would see tina. any other expedition
that might hereafter go South should take sufficient
enable those desired to take the field in aid
Of the Union cause.
The views of the Secretary were received with the
greatest qualification, enhanced by the ankness readi
and courtesy with which he responded to the
inquiries of those who sought hs opinion. The and
he government vastly gthoned in the heart OF
N NissichusettS ~ Simon Cameron's free talk with the
people of Springfield.