Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-10-04
Vol. VU.---No. 6.

across the river, with all their baggage,
&c, except some few things which were
lost from neglect and want of transport
tation.
We are now pitching our tents at this
place, on the main Charleston road, about
fifteen miles from Gauley Bridge and
hrty-iive miles west of Lewisburg. Gen.
Wise is encamped at Dogwood Gap, a
few miles above us, while portion Of
his force holds the Hawks Nest, below
US.
The Skirmish at LewinsvilIe--CoI
Stuart's Official Report.
headquarters, Mqason'S HW, !
September 18th, 1861.
Generals: l started about IL o'clock
with the Thirteenth Virginia volunteers,
commanded by Major Terril, (305 men, J
first section of Rossor's battery, Wash
ington artillery and detachment of First
cavalry, undor Captain Patrick, for Lew
insvillo, whore, | learned from my caval-
ry pickcts, the enemy were posted with
some force. My intention was to sur
prise them, and | succeed entirely, APP
preaching Townsville by the enemy's
left and rear, taking care to keep my
small force an entire secret from their
observation, | at the same lime carefully
provided against the disaster to myself
which | was striving to indict upon tho
enemy, and | felt sure that if necessary,
| could fall back successfully before any
force tho enemy might have; for the
country was favorable to retreat and am-
busca6e.
AT a point nicely screened by the
woods from Townsville. and few hun
dred yards from the place, / sent-for-
ward, under Major Terrill, a portion of
his command, stealthily to reach the
wood at turn of the road, and reconnoi-
ter beyond. This was admirably done,
and tho major soon reported to me that
the enemy had piece of artillery in po-
sitlon in the road Just at Lewinsyile,
commanding our road. | directed him
Immediately to post his riaemen so as to
render it impossible for the cannoniers to
serve the piece, and, if possible, to cap
ture it.
During subsequent operations the cam
noniers tried Intellectually to serve tho
piece; and finally after one was shot
through the head, the piece was taken
of. While this was going on few shots
from Rosser's section, at a cluster Of the
enemy quarter of a mile off, put the en-
tire force of the enemy in full retreat.
exposing their entire column to flank fire
from our pieces. Some wagons and
large body of cavalry first passed in has
ty Hight, the rife piece aud howitzer fir
ing as they passed; then came flying a
battery, eight pieces Of artillery, (Grif-
hn's,) which soon took position about six
hundred yards to our front and right, and
ralned shot and she'll upon us during tho
entire engagement, but with harmless cf-
feet, although striking very near Then
passed three regiments Of infantry, at
double quick, receiving, in succession, as
they passed, Rosser's unerring salutation,
his shells bursting directly over their
heads, and creating the greatest havoc
and confusion in their ranks. The last
infantry regiment was followed by a
column Of cavalry, which, at one time,
rode over the rear Of the infantry in great
confusion. The field, general and stan
officers were seen exerting every effort to.
restore order in their broken ranks, and
my cavalry videts observing their fight,
reported that they finally rallied mile
and half below, aud took position up
the road, whore they supposed our col
umns would be pursuing them. Captain
Rosser having no enemy left to contend
with, Mt his own request, was permitted
to review the ground Of the enemy's
fight, aud found the road plowed up by
bis solid shot, and strown with fragments
Of shells; two men left dead on the road,
one mortally wounded, and one, not hurt,
taken prisoner. The prisoner said the
havoc in their ranks was fearful, justify
ing what saw myself Of tic confusion.
Major Torrll's sharpshooters were by
no means idle, firing whenever stray
Cling Yankee showed his head, and cap
turing lieutenant, Captured by Major
Terrill himself,) one sergeant and ono
private, all belonging to the Nineteenth
Indiana, Colonel Mercdiths The priso-
ners reported to me that Gen. McClol-
Ian himself was present. and the enemy
gave it out publicly that the occupancy
of Lewinsyillc Was to be permanent Alas
for human expectations The officers and
men behaved in manner worthy Of the
generals highest commentator, aud the
firing done by the section under direction
Of Capt. Rossor and Lieutenant Slooum,
Gall the time under fire from the enemy's
battery, certainly, for accuracy and Of
feet, challenges comparison with any ever
made. Valuable assistance was rendered
me, as usual, by Chaplain Ball and
Messrs. Hairston and Burks, citizens,
attached to my staff, we're conspicuous in
daring Corporal Hogan and Bugler
Weed are entitled to special mention for
good conduct and valuable service.
Our loss was not scratch TO man or
horse. We have 20 means Of knowing
the enemys, except that IL must have
been heavy, from the effects Of the shots.
We found in all four dead, and mortally
wounded and captured four. OF course
they carried of all they could. re-
turned here with my command, after re-
establishing my limo Of pickets through
Lrwinsyille. Please forward this report
to Gen. johnson Your obt sery't,
j. II. Il. STUART, Col Coming.
- The kiss, with which girl seeks
to catch her beau, is . fishing smack.