The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-07-22
Army Correspoll llence.
RIoH VALLEy, Va. July %, ls6l

uisce. Our regiment made forced march .
for two DAYS in order that we might par
tieipate in the fun, and arrived at this en-
campment in the morning at o'clock. We
were ordered to hold ourselves in readiness
for action, which we did, and at about
o'clock we heard the sound of musketry,
and could see the smoke, and occasionally
some of the belligerents, from our stand
point. We were drawn up in line, all ea-
ger for "hand,n and stood there awaiting
orders until night, st which time we were
ordered to our quarters, with instructions
to sleep upon orr arms. Great excitement
prevailed during the entire evening and
night. None knew the result, and all were
anxious TO hear. Il was supposed, however,
that there was only a cessation of hostilities
until morning. When daylight appeared
we saw white flag hoisted 10 the rebel
camp, and also the Stars and Stripes wav-s
ing over their battery. Such a shout vent
up as has not been heard for many a day.
We were Immediately ordered to load cur
teams and prepare for a march, and in
twenty minutes were on the road in pursuit
of those who had fed. We passed imme-
diately through the late reoei.camp which
gave us an opportunity OF seeing the works.
The first thing we saw was a deep ditch,
dug on the side of the mountain, with three
cannon mounted, commanding the road, SO
that so, 600 men could not have approached.
A little further on was their eneampment,
surrounded at all accessible points with
breastworks, which must have cost them
II r.,
works were their tents, camps, wagons,
horses, &c. Here we found large numbers
of horses, mules, wagons, guns of every de-
scription, swords, pistols, and army stores
in possession OF our troops A little further
on, we found a splendid brass cannon, and
mile or so further we came TO the main
battle ground. The first appearance of a
battle was blood in the road, but we soon
arrived at the hill where our soldiers were
burying the dead, and caring for the wound
ed. Here sights were seen that hope
may never witress again. Whep1I arrived
our men had brought most of the dead and
wounded in, aud had dug long tseaShes,
into which the dead we're throwuI on
top of each other, with their clothes on, and
I many of them with their eyes open,
presenting a most frightfuI appearance.
They were mostly Young mon, and many
of them mere boys. Our people buried one
hundred and fifteen of the enemy, and it
was supposed that all were not found. The
wounded numbered some four or FIVE hun
dred, many OF whom have died since. On
| our side we buried fourteen, and the wound
ed numbered sokAe forty or fifty We took
between one and two hundred prisoners,
some three hun9gea' ana fifty horses, all the
| wagons, camp &c * fine pieces OF
I b-o1o M
ammunitiod1ziaIa we took everything
| they had, which was not little, assure
you.
The rebels had selected this spot as being
the strong est in Western Virginia, and had
spent weeks in its fertilization, and were
sure that it could not be taken. Our boys
| cut road around tbem, scaled the noun
F1ains and precipices until they got in their
+ rear, and the result was as above stated
| The battle was spirited and lasted till dark
at which tine heavy rain came up, and
hostilities ceased
There must have been some four thousand
of the rebels. judging from the encampment
and from what the prisoEer5~ SAY, all oil
whom got OF under cover of night through
defiles in the mountains, except those who
were taken IN the regular engagement
Had there been two hours more daylight
we would have had them all as prisoners
We had some three thousand men engaged
many of whoa were in positions that they
could do nothing. The 9th and 10th Indi.
ana Regiments did the work, and proudel
set of fellows you never saw.
After we got through burying the dead
we pushed on after the rebels as fast as pos
sible, but they we're too badly scared to bt
overtaken. We have driven them across
the Alleghanies, and where they will mex
be found is uncertain. ~
Since we left Buckhannon, little towr
some forty miles west of this, we have
scarcely seen. any of the people at ALL
They have been told that we were murder
ing women and children and laying tia
country in waste, consequently upon oul
approach they run like scared dogs.
At Beverly, beautiful town Of som,
1900 inhabitants county seat there wer,
not more than three families the dAy aftel
the battle, and those that were there expect
ed to be murdered and the town burnt up
The Inhabitants had taken sach of theil
goods as they could carry and fled to the
mountains, leaving the balance as they sup
posed to be destroyed or taken off by US
10 one house saw the bread in the tray
ready for baking which was left, together
with many other articles that ehave ne
doubt will be useful to- the owners Poo
deluded people TREY will be astonishet
when they return to find everything just Al
; | they left 1t. Such as we could see anl
talked TO, we assured, that we were no
stealing nor numbering but weRaapnly afte
those who were in rebellion Id 9anst til,
: government One old lacy w6o had go
the most of her goods away. hnts whs- ha,
failed 10 get away herself, came 70 me witt
tears ia-hsr eyes and beggeE that sbfsshoult
pot be hurt and that hhF hogseteA very fin
: one, should be spAred, anassA9E seemed TO b,
astonished when she was told that neithe
herself nor her property nor any one els
would be molested; that if ws got anything
We would pay for it.
: We left Beverly, as We found it, exeep
: that the few people who were there, had
better opinion of as than when we came
Our trip on yesterday, was repetition OF tn
scenes in Beverly. No one was to be seen
: houses and farms were left without any on
+ TO see TO them, all of which were passed