New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-09-23
The skirmish ut Lewinsyii1e.

Below is the official report of Col. Stewart, in
command Of our forces in the action at Lewins-
vile, on the Potomac The Richmond Examiner
remarks, in regard to the affair s. ~ ss
The fact Of the cowardy, wild and dsorganizad
retreat of the enemy, as indicated inCol Stewards
report is ,E-ost yividy confirmed to us in the
counts Of a civilian, who Was spectator in the
action. He says that the enemy, after their first
fight, were rallied by their officers and drawn up
in line o. tsttle. On the approach of our advance,
they broke their ranks, and ran about a mile and
half further. Here their officers again rallied them
for few moments, but the infantry soon took to
their heels again. The cavalry, at one time, were
observed to charge upon the infantry, in order, if
possible, to arrest their flight:
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Geparo&- started about IL O'Clock with Thir-
teenth Virginia Volunteers commanded by Major
Terri, (305 men) first section of Rossers battery,
Washington Artillery, and detachBent of First
Cavalry, under Capt. Patrick, for LewnsviIle
where, I learned from my cavalry pickets, the
enemy were posted with some force. My intention
was to surprise them, and succeeded entirely, ap
rroachng Lewinsville by the enemy's left and
rear, taking care to keep my small force IN entire
secret from their observation; l at the same time
carefully provided against the disaster to myself
which was striving to nflict upon the enemy, and
felt that, if necessary, could fall back sue
cessfuy before any force the enemy might have,
for the country was favorable to retreat and am
busCad 49,. @c*-ra ~ fi=S,''.
At point nicely screened by the woods from
Lewinsville, ard a few hnndredsyards from the
place. l sent forward, under Major Terrill, por-
ton of his command, stealthily to reach the woods
at a turn of the road, and reconnoiter beyond.
This was admirably done, and the Major reported
to me that the enemy had piece of artillery in
position in the road just at Lewinsyile, command
ing our road. ! directed him Immediately to post
his ritemen so to render it impossible for the
cannonniers to the piece and, if possible, to
capture it. During subsequent operations, the
cannonniers tried, Intellectually to serve the piece,
orpa final lItv a hat fhl hnn n
the piece taken off While this was going on,
q few shots iron, Eossers section. at cluster of
the enemy q quarter Of mile off, put the entire
force of the enemy in full retreat, exposing their
entire column to hanli fire from piecesg Some
wagons aud large body of cavalry first passed in
hasty fight, the rife piece and howzer fixing as
they passed then came flying q battery, eight
pieces Of artillery, (Gritfins) which soon took
position about coo yards to our front and right
and rained shot and shell upon during the entire
engagement, hut with harmless effect, although
striking very near. Then passed three regiments
of infantry, at doube.quick, receiving, in success
sion, as they passed, LOSERS unerring sautation
Lis shells bursting directly over their heads, and
creating the greatest havoc and confusion in theil
ranks. The last infantry regiment was followed
by column OF cavalry, which, at one time, rode
The field general and staff officers seen eX
erng every effort TO restore order in their broken
ranks, and my cavalry videttes, observing their
fight, reporte0 that they finally rallied mile and
tIay supposed our columns would be pursuing
them. Capt Eosser, having no enemy left to con-
tend with, OF his own request, was permitted to
| view the ground Of the enemys fight and found
| the road poughed up by his solid shot, and strewn
with fragments of shells two men left dead on the
road, one mortaly wounded, and one, not hnrt,
| taken prisoner. .s.
| The prisoner said the havoc in their ranks was
| fearful, jtstifying what | saw myself of the con-
fusion Major Terrill's Sharpshooters were by no
means idle, firing whenever a struggling Yankee
showed his head, and capturing d lieutenant (cap-
one private, all belonging to the Nineteenth 1ndf-
ana (Col- Meredith's) The prisoners reported to
me that Gen. Mcclellan himself was present. and
the enemy gave it out publicly that the occupancy
of Lewinsville WAS to be permanent. tAas for hui
man eypeetationsD The officers and men be-
haved in manner worthy of the Generals highest
commendation. and the firing done by the section
under direction of Capt Rossef and Lieut.. Slocum,
all the time under fire from the enemy's battery,
certainly, for accuracy and effect, challenges
parson with any ever made. Valuable assistance
was rendered me, as usual, by Chaplain Ball and
Messrs. Rairston and Burks, citizens, attached to
my staff, conspicuous in daring. Corporal
Hagan and Bugler Weed are entitled to special
mention for good conduct and valuable service.
Our loss was not u scratch to man or horse. We
have no means of knowing the enemy's except
that it must have been heavy, from the effects OF
the shots. We found, in all, four dead and NOR
tally wounded and captured four. OF course they
carried off all they could Your attention is spe-
cialiy called to the enclosed, which was delivered
to me at Lewinsville, and to my endorsement. ]
send sketch also. ! returued here with my COM
mand, after reestabshing my line of pickets
through LewinsVille. Please forward this report
to Gen. Johnston. n.. ct
j. T. r. STEWART
Colonel Commanding