Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-09-14
From ths Richmond rnuulrer. 11th.

From the Richmond Enquirer, 11th.
victory Gained by General Wise.
1--WE are permitted to publish the following
extract from letter just received Ia this
city. We are gratifed to find a confirmation
of the account we have heretofore had of
brilliant rencounter between Gen Wise and
the enemy, near Hawks Nest, and between
it and the Gauley. Il seems that Gen. Wise's
gallant soldiers drove back the enemy with
considerable loss to them, and none on our
side, save one wounded
CAMP .HAwK's NEST"
HEADQUARTERS Sd Infanfry, Wise Legion,
September, 4. 1861.
On the morning of the I'd, at 6 o'clock, en-
camped at Uogwood Gap, We received orders
to strike tents and march towards Gauley
Bridge. This news seemed to act like cleo
trIcity upon our men, who were beginning to
think they never would be led face to face
with the Yankees. About nine the line of
march was taken up-frst. the Second Regi-
ment; next the Third; then the First follow
ing. When say regiments, mean the REM
nants of them; for nearly One-half of the force
is in hospital, or not well enough to be NOV
ed. The Second Regiment led the way till
beyond the Hawks Nest, where we met with
many obstacles in the shape of huge oaks
felled and lying across the road. These our
fine fellows soon disposed Of and we still
moved on as fast as the observations of the
scouts would admit. The Third Regiment,
Col. Spaulding, now took the lead-three of
its companies, Capt. Semmes, Capt. Pollock,
and Capt. Jones, forming the advance guard.
Gen. Wise and Staff actually went in front
of the advance guard. On making sharp
turn in The road at Masraw's creek, we were
met by the fire of the enemy's pickets, who
lined the road on both sides, and were behind
q house that commanded it. Only three men
on our side were hurt-two of Capt. Semmes',
and one of Capt. jones'. The pickets retreat
ed, and, as it was quite dark, we concluded
to anchor for the night, but not to sleep;
that was out of the question, as we were
within 400 yards of the enemy's stronghold.
The third held the advance position, sup
ported by two companies of the first Regi-
ment. At day-break on the third. all were
on the qui Uice. The second Regiment, Col.
Anderson, was detached via Turkey Greek,
to fall on the enemy's flank, the third to at
tack the front, to be supported by the first,
under Lieut.. Col. j. FL. Richardson. Col.
Henningsen directing the entire movement,
under the supervision of Gen. Wise. At z
A. NJ. the Third moved forward about loo
yards, which brought them to Big Creek
When in fine position for defense we saw
the enemy drawn up, evidently intending to
dispute any further advance of our forces
One howitzer was brought forward; three
companies of the Third were deployed in the
ravine as skirmishers, while the balance of
the regiment, with the First, were in the
road. The skirmishers had scarcely moved.
when they opened fire on the enemy, and
drove them up the hill at the point of the
bayonet. Large masses of troops were seen
on their right, when our howitzer opened on
them; and to see them run was fun enough.
Now came the time for the development of
their plans; but thanks to the prudence of
our General. they did not catch US. They
had rife cannon in position commanding
the road, and scarcely had the echo OF our
pieces died away when whZ came their ball,
right over our heads, at least 80 yards above
us. Our piece replied on theirs, and finding
they had gained our range, was directed at
the place whence the smoke of theirs was
seen. They fired but four times, so accurate
was our fire, when they took out to their en-
trenched position in double quick. We now
began to feel anxious about the second Regi-
ment, who had not opened fire on them as
agreed upon. Hour after hour passed away,
but no news from them. till at last the enemy
got up reinforcements in large numbers, but
did not dare to show themselves to drive us
back. We threw out one company of the
third as an advance picket, and three com.
panies held the bill opposite their stronghold
They advanced their skirmishers to the edge
of q wood within so yards of our picket,
across the ravine of Big Greek, and kept up
a regular fire upon it. 1t was here that Ad-
jutant Pearce of the Third had narrow es-
cape from a minnie ball, which struck sap
ling Immediately in front and divided in two
parts, one remaining in the tree, the other
grazing him. A ball struck in the ground
within three inches of the spot where Lieut..
Elliott was lying. Lieut.. Gum, of the Hen
rico cavalry. also had narrow escape, a
ball striking a small rock against which he
was leaning. After standing their Ere for
one hour, the picket was withdrawn; no one
hurt on our side. Daring the engagements,
which lasted among the skirmishers tor six
hours, we only had one man wounded. none
killed. Many OF the enemy were killed and
wounded, aud we got many OF their caps,
knapsacks, guns, &c, which they left in their
fight ND the hill. We now received orders
to fall back to our position at the HAWKS
Nest, where the entire force arrived about 6
P. Nj. Col. Anderson's Regiment, the Sec
ond, having been unable to get to the enemy
by the route they took.
Gen. Wise passed the highest encomiums
upon the Third Regiment; it was the only
one in the fight. The men were much ia
tigued, after a march of IL miles, on the Sec
ond scouting the entire distance, being up
all that night, fighting the next day, and thea
marching back three miles to our present
camp When or where our next move may
be, we cannot at present tell; but one thing
is sure, we will meet them and they will be
ours at any sacrifice. The bravery of Gen.
Wise seemed to astonish many of the troops,
and hundreds of compliments were passed
by our mountain boys. who seemed to think
that the General ought to be in the rear OF
the army. Lieut.. Col. Gibbs commanded
the Artillery, and showed the enemy what
We could do in that line. We did not use
our Rifed piece; We were too close to them
for that.