Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-10-15
For the Spectator.
CAMP AT GREENBRIER RIVER,
October 9th. 1861.

r. MAuzY ESQ.,
Dear oir, We lad pretty lively time of it
here on Thursday. Our pickets were fred upon
about o'clock A. NJ aud the fighting between
them and the advance guard of the enemy con-
tinued for some time and was quite spirited, the
pickets being strengthened by companies from
the lst Va. and 18th Ga. Regiments. At 8 o.
clock the canuOnadng commenced aud lasted
until 12A O'Clock. 1t was very heavy indeed
The enemy had one 10 pounder. After the
pickets had been fired upon. our infantry force
Was called to arms, and about one third OF it
placed in the entreDchments. another part placed
in ambush, aud the remainder held in reserve.
The enemy came in large torce, columo pass
ing along the base of the mountain on the oppo-
site side of the river from Us, and directly III
front of Col. Taliaferros Brigade, W! ic was in
the entreEchment-the Augusta Lee Rifles be-
ing about the centre OF the Brigade. As the
enemy were advancing in that direction, they
were caused to halt by the 18th Ga Regimen.
moving IN double quick time and in very hand
some style cheering as they went TO point where
they would have been pretty we'll screened frOri.
the enemy's fire by the bank OF ditch and some
trees near the river, and could have raked the
column had it advanced. This seemed to be a.
yout the time at which the column expected to
charge our ditch as the officers were speaking
as though they were giving commands and urg
ing them forward; and, at the same time, theil
artillery directed heavy fire upon US. 1t was
terrible the way the shot an. shell were flying
over Us, passing very near US, and bursting all
around US. My Company was in range OF some
of their guns, and some OF our tents were ter
ally riddled, there having been Eo order to strike
them. Capt. Shulnaker brought piece ofartil-
lery and placed it in rear of my company and
II nd tho ba,, holt
vine opposite to US the Capt. fired canister shot
directly over us, upon them. The report OF the
piece seemed almost deafening, it being so close
and elevated but slightly above us; but after
the piece had been discharged several times the
colu TN commenced marching in retreat, in quick
time,-a part at Double Quick especially
when the artillery opened upon them. SOob
hearty cheers rang through our camp as we saw
that the enemy was repulsed at least temporarily.
After getting beyond the range of our artillery
their forces formed and retreated in good order.
There was none of my company injured, and the
loss OF our forces was very small. The enemy
must have lost at least one hundred and fifty iD
killed and wounded Had it not been for the
entire nchments, our loss would doubtless have
| been considerable, as the men would have been
so much exposed, as the shot and shells were
sweeping the side and top of the ill and the
ShoiiS UuTStluS Ill dTOuut. ILL lU0 ThVlu0. Ouf
officers were very much ex posed. but acted with
great deal of GOODNESS, notwithstanding the
shells were bursting near them and the balls
hurling past them. Col. Taliaterro's officers
and men urged him to get where he would be
protected, but he declined to do SO, but remark
ed that he was afraid he would get his horse
shot COL johnson had his horse shot under
him. All the Augusta boys were anxiously ex-
pecting the gallant 52nd Regiment down with
Us, but as it was an Important .,oiut which Col.
Bald win was guarding, he was not ordered down
until late in the action, aid the battle having
closed before they had time to reach here the or
der was countermanded and they returned to
their camp without having the pleasure Cf seeing
the Federalists retreating. Our troops are now
in fine spirits, and think the battle will contri-
bute very greatly to the health of our army, as
the men seem so enlivened and cheered by the
result of the battle as well as by the determined
bravery exhibited by all our men who were cal
led into action cn that day. Hoping that we
may soon have some good LEWIS from the Poto-
mac as well as from Gen. Lee, | remain,
Yours very truly,
r n IrJIpv