Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-06-13
AdvanceintO Western Virginia,
Particulars of the Fight at Phillippi.
COL. NDEIS THERE.
Gallant Conduct of Col. Kelley.
Correspondence of the Wheeling Intelligcnccr.l

Gallant Conduct of Col. Kelley.
correspondence Of the Wheeling htelligcncer.l
GRAFTON, June g.
The excitement has been intense here all
day, about the action at Phillippi, of which
you are already apprised by telegraph. Ever
suce about / clock this morning persons
have been coming in from the scene of action,
and at each new arrival eager crowds would
gather around to hear the latest version of
the fight. Every one tells the story little
different, and it is exceedingly difficult at
this time TO get an absolutely accurate ac-
count of the affair. Mr.. Burdett came in
from Phillippi this evening, and from him
and Others | have cleaned tolerably clear
statement.
| Yesterday morning at 10 clock four Reg
iments left here, in two divisions. One con-
sisting of the lst Virginia Regiment, part
of the Ohio 10th, and the Indiana 7th, un-
der command of Col Kelly; the other the
Indiana 9th and the Ohio, 18th, commanded
by Col. Lander, of Indian fighting, wagon
road, and Potter and and Pryor duel noto-
riety. Col. Kelley's division moved east,
by railroad, to Thornton, small way station,
miles distant from here. Thence they
marched to Phillippi, a distance Of % miles.
The Indiana Regiment moved out the N. w.
Va. II. II. to Webster, where they were
joined by the Ohio l4th, from which place
they pushed forward ON foot to Phillippi, ~
miles distant.
The march of the two divisions was per-
formed last night through darkness, rain and
mud. 1t was terrible undertaking, but
they all went bravely through it unshrink-
ingly and without complaint All night
they toiled ON through the darkness and
storm, the soft earth yielding beneath their
feet till the grey dawn found them in the
neighborhood Of the enemy.
| Col Lander reports that as they neared
Phillippi they were discovered by woman,
who fired at him twice, and who sent her
little boy across the hills (as he afterwards
tound) to apprise the enemy of their APP
proach. He arrived on the hill across the
river from, and below, Phillippi, and com
manding the town and the encampment
| (just below the town. a little before daylight
this morning. They at once planted two
pieces of Artillery on the brow of the hill
on them when the time arrived. 4o'clock
was the hour at which the attack was to be
made simultaneously by both divisions COL
Kelly was to attack them in the rear and
cut off their retreat, while Col Lander would
assault them in front. But Col. Kelly's di-
vision was behind the appointed hour owing
to the terrible fatigues of their forced march
of % miles; and in addition to this they
missed their point, and instead of coming in
on the Beverly road, above Phillippi, and
eilectually cutting off all retreat, they came
in, when they did come, just below the town.
When the day began to dawn upon the
/, impatient forces of Col Lander,it discovered
to them the camp below in state of COM
motion, evidently in great alarm and pre-
pairing for flight The hour appointed for
the attack came and passed, but still Col,
kelly's division has not arrived Impatient
to begin the attack, and fearful that the
rascals, almost within his grasp, should es-
cape without smelling powder, Col. Lander
ordered the artillery to begin the attack, and
at quarter past four the guns were un-
limbered and dropped the first messengers
d of terror into the rebel camp, less than q
quarter of a mile away. Simultaneously
with the roar ofthe first gun, Col. Kelly, at
the head Of his command, came in sigh
across the river below the camp, and com
pretending the position Of affairs, they rush
, ed forward at once in the direction of tn,
camp. Meanwhile the battery, having, afte
the first shot or two, got an accurate range
played upon the camp with marked effect
tearing through tents and houses at a fearful
rate. This the chivalry could mt stand, ant
they scattered like rats from burning barn
They had no time to retreat in order. The.
didn't even retreat at all-they ran, file,
!, most ingloriously-ran like sheep in ever
~ \, direction that promised safety, after firin
er a random and scattering volley which did N
y damage whatever. Col. Kelley comman
:" was close after, the Virginia troops in ad
he vance, the Henry Clay Guards in front an
Col. Kelly and Capt Fordyce leading. A
the same time Col. Lander's force cam
J. rushing down the hill to the bridge, and the
g all put out after the fugitives yelling lik
- Indians.
But the legs Of the fugitive chivalry sery
ed them too well and they could not be ovel
taken by our already exhausted men, VIII
> who, after chasing them a couple of miles
returned to the evacuated camp, to learn tn
H. painful fact that their victory, though con
IS, plete. was dearly, too dearly, bought. Co
: Kelly, who, with bravery amounting
rashness, was foremost from first to last, W;
- rallying his men in the upper part. of til
town, the enemy having all apparently flee
when he fell by shot from foe conceale
VI either behind fence or in house; SON
saw the assailant fred from behind a wagor
others that Col. Kelly was pressing him har
with view OF capturing hin WHeH ie Whee
cd and fired. This is not substantiated. 4
anv rate, the shot was fired after the e
es- gagement was over, and was just such
lug niece of assassination as that by which Il
" The loved and lamented Ellsworth. III
assassin was an assistant quartermaster
the Confederate forces. His name is Simm
., and he halls from Chesterfield. across Il
.N river from Richmond. He was immediate
! seized, and it is great wonder they didn
make mince meat of him instanter. III
pistol with which he shot Col; Kelly is {
Old fashioned, old Virginia horse pistC
carrying a very large ball and inaicting
most dangerous wound. The ball enter'
the left breast, and passing clear throue
'. lodged beneath the skin, just undernea
II the shoulder blade. 1t has been extracte
|. and every attention of the highest medic
' and surgical skill is lavished upon the woun
to ed officer. If human skill can save he. W
1 be saved, but if he is beyond the reach
a human aid he will die, as. he said to-day
friend who bent over his couch, in a j.
and glorious cause. II expect | shall ha
i to die" said the wounded Colonel; II wor