Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-06-18
For thoInsslligencer.I

For the Intelligencer1
REVIEW OF Col. Dumont,s Report n,
the PhtlliPpI AFFAIR. = -
a widespread feeling of surprise and in
uignauon IS manifested here in reference to
t .pe report OF Col Dumontf published in
Tue tne AHtethgeneer OF yesterday morning. l
nave heard no Une speak of it, who was
present at Phillippi, who docs not pro-
nOunce it false in all its main poiuts. II
Is nnacconntable how Col. Dumont can
make the statements he does in reference
10 q! an event that happened in open day
light, aud IN the presence of multitudes OF
spectators, from whom he had every on
portunity of learning the truth, if he had
not himself known il.
''As he was nearing the hills overlooking
tho town of Phillippi,n he saws. Mtbe nick
etOtthe enemy opened brisk ere on us from
tue heights above the town, and from the
roado and bushes on the side of the road -
NOW from the testimony of several reliable
men IN his own command, we learn tnat
this "brisk fire" of the enemy was single
shot from pistol in the hands of IN old
woman. To the Coils heated imagination
tnis at once became n "brisk FIRE" from all
sides, in front and rear.
But the greatest perversion of facts. and
the grossest injustice occurs in the follow
ing passage from hisreport. After he and his
men had passed through the bridge into
Phillippi he "opeL ed upon the enemy, they
retrealing in wild disorder. Both parties
heing on the full run, and the distance be-
tween them being considerable, but little
execution could be doue. pursued the
enemy from tue bridge, through tho town,
and for several miles beyond" The facts
can be proven by all who were in Phillippi
that when the guns first opened upon the
enemy Col Kelly, At the head of his COM
mand, was risingi the hill to the graveyard
overlooking the enemies camp Col Du-
mont, according to his own statement, was
at the cross -roUds west of the town. Any
person familiar with the location VIII
know that this would make Col. Kelly at
least half mile nearer the enemy
Then Col. Dumout says lie had to halt his
men until he ascertained which road he
ought to take. This wonld put his force
still further behind. While Col. Kelly in
stead OF having to halt took off his hat and
rising in his stirrups, shouted to his men
TO run. The shout was picked up and
echoed along his lines. The boys forgot
their hunger, thirst and fhtigue and ran
over the hill and down into town. Col,
Irwin, with the Ohio 10th, gallant com
mander OF gallant men, followed close af-
ter our six companies. Col. Kelly and his
were by long odds the first to enter Phil
liPPi, the enemy flying before him. When
Cot. Irwin came into town Col. Dumonts
force had notyet crossed the bridge. The
Virginia regiment, and also Col. IrWin's,
being between Col. Dumont and the ene-
my, it is marvel to every one how he
could have "opened" fire upon them out
of town.
He praises the bravery of his men No
one doubts their courage, but every one
is Mt loss to know what opportunity they
had to exhibit it.
Ipromise you that can giveresponsible
names for everything have here said.
will show you more of his errors in my
next. T.
Grafton, June II.