Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-09-07
rnooaEss OF THE WAR.
THE RATTLE OF GROSS LANES,

THE BATTLE OF CROSS LANES.
The editor of the Lynohburg Republicans, who is on
General Foyds staff gives through the columns OF bis
paper On interesting account Of the battle Of Cross
Lanes and Of the position and prospects of the brigade
BY which It was 90 brilliantly won. We give the sub
stance Of bis letter:
HEADQUARTERS, FLOYD BRIGADE,
August Goth, 1851. !
When arrived yesterday at p. ~, found the bri.
eade drawn up in beautiful line Of battle, and General
FLOYD and his staff upon the field In momentary expec
tatiou of an attack from Col Tylers command which
had driven In our pickets, and was in mile OF our ines
Our artillery posted on the brow OF the bill which
We occupy, commanding the main road, while 70 the
right and eft our infantry lines extended protected BY
some hastily thrown up rail breastworks The enemy
did not attack us, however, and at nght.fa, our men
we're ordered to stand upon their arms all night while
our horses stood under their saddles and their riders
slept in their boots and spurs.
During the night our scouts brought accurate In.
formation as to the position of the enemy, aud General
Foyd determined to attack him the dawn Of morn
ing. /, arranged that COL Heh should advance 10
the CENTRE Col. Reynolds to condues the right wing,
while Col McCausln to cut OF the enemys retreat
by circuit to the left
At4 o'clock A. NJ, the Brigade in motion, and
the clear ring Of the Generals stentorian voice was
heard along the lines 10 the fresh morning air like the
blast of trumpet. We were all instantly 10 our arms
and TO our saddles and advanced rapidly, at double
quick heavy fog hung the hills al along the
valleys, and we approached almost upon the enemys
pckets before they They red and ran distinctly
10 our view and not hundred yards in or advance
Our men gave shout at the sound OF that sort OF mu
sic, and dashed on with accelerated speed. ln few
minutes we discovered the blas coats Of the enemy as
they stood drawn up church by the road side,
while to our right aud behind fence stood another col
umn of the enemy. As soon Col. Heths regiment
emerged from the woods into the open field which com
manded the church they opened fire, and alter few
rounds the enemy hastily retreated across corn held
and 20 the brow Of precpitate aud commanding bill
In the meantime Col Reynolds regiment had opened on
the enemy upon the right aDd they too soon made
TO beat precpiate retreat as shout on shout CT our
men rent the air Gen. Floyd then gave the command
20 throw down the fence the right Of the road, and
charge the enemy on the hill. In an instant, and al.
most at single stroke Of the arm the fence went down,
and our men, led by their gallant Colonel, (Heth)
dashed across the cornhs and charged TO the top OF
the hill, diving the enemy to still higher eminence,
completely commanding the first. Here the sharpest
part OF the confct occurred. The enemy maintained
their position with considerable, obstinscy, uounding
several of our men and killing some.
Our fire becoming too hot sgsin for the enemy they
retired adjoining wood. again our men eahed on
10 the charge ascending the bior Of the second hill
aud shooting they went. At this stage, Capt Jack
sons artillery hurried to the front II dashng
through the Id and TO the brow Of the hill and letting fly
two rounds the enemy disappeared through the woods
10 the meantime Capt Harris artillery had crossed the
-ld and assembled adjoining hill, but not in time to
give the enemy few Of his grape. The Eessians
now In full retreat all hands, and as they descended
from the bill the ravne and road upon the other side
Col kcCausin pitched into them with his force, when
the whole broke and took to the woods every man for
himself Had not the Yankee Colonel before his men,
be would doubtless have been captured by this part OF
our force.
Pursuit was Immediately determined upon by our
General On our gallant rushed In than double
Quick time and continued the pursuit for eight
en- miles, but with other result than the capture Of
number OF prisoners four baggage wagons, one ambu-
lance and several guns and otner articles line chest
of medicines was captured which In the hands OF
INV friend DR.. G.cayes, from Wythevile.
We attacked the enemy early and pectedly that
they evidently had TO leave without breakfast for,
passed their camp bushels OF stolen roasting guam.
titles Of beef pigs and bread found their fires
have not learned the loss Of the enemy. All Of them
we're Ohoans and learned from the prisoners that Col
Ti T. his Lieut. Colonel Surgeon and preacher, all ran
soon alter the engagement opened They cursed them
undly for their eowstdy conduct in deserving their
early Ia the action. They had left their main provision
tIn go wsgors Is miles 70 the rear or We should
have captured the whole Of them.
All OF our men and officers acted with the greatest gal
lsntry aud courage. Col Heth led 10 front Of his men
aud was shot through the coat A minnie ball wounded
the horse Of Major Hounshel Col. Reynolds was also
shot through tie coat, and came losing his life
General Floyd who is as brave on followed with
his staff and In his red hunting shirt upon the very heels
of the troops frequently in their very midst ENCOURAGE
them by his example and commanding voice.
Capt. Sneads company, Of Amherst, vas actively in
the fight and performed admirably and Capt Henry, Of
Amherst though not properly belonging to the fighting
department of the Brigade, sboudored his gun and was
In the thckes OF the fight Our friend, Captain Peters
was also with US in the thckest Of the fight | make
these special mentions mery because they our home
people and their friends viii feel deeper interest in
tba In othara W acted lOuallv z we'll.
Col. Tompkips regiment was held in reserve, aud did
not think &c. actively into the fight The Colonel and
his men, however, hotly In the CHASE aud took many
Of the prisoners, the Colonel himself taking Captain
Shurtlefr, and Others.
have heard the conduct Of Lieut.. Colonel Kinney
and NJ ior Marbone highly spoken Of
Our scouta are still bringing in prisoners. Among
the last is strspping negro who has excited much
riosty among our darkies.
This battle will be known that Of Cross Lanes and
is Of far more significance than the number killed and
wounded would indicate.
Colonel Tyer's command was Of the very best Of
the onemy-he one of their crack officers Il has for
long time been prowing all through this country,
holding 1t in complete subsection. Tyler it was who
boosted that he would march Lewisburg at all haz-
ards and would catch Floyd and Wise and feed them on
besns Il has now been defeated routed and dsgraced
with all It's prestige gone.
The people in this section have confidence In our
strength again. aud will rally standard at ouee.
Think too the rout will alarm General Cox, ut GAuley
Bridge and should not be surprised If be beat hasty
retreat to the Ohio river.
General Floyd's advance to this sde of Gauley, with
nothing but single ftrrybost in the rear, to command
retreat over dangerous stream was considered rash
by some but rsshoess l. sometimes prudence and it has
proven emineny 20 in this instance.
We hold position here from which four times our
number canot dsodge u.s. and prepared at any iav.
ornble moment to make rapid advance movement Our
friends may depend upon IT, that this Brigade will take
no step backwards and that lift be properly supported
IL will together with General Wise's Legion, drive the
enemy across the Ohio before the fall campaign closss
Among the enemy killed is Capt. Dyer, of Ohio, who
fought through the Mexican war 10 much better cause.
he was gallant officer and killed in fatal effort
TO rally his men, Among the prisoners Capt Sburt-
le. who appears to be gentleman and fought bsvely.
The following list Of the casualties Of the day on
our side
VIM. Davidson, company h. 45ih regiment wounded
10 left side severely.
Thos. Jones' came regiment and company, right hip
dangerously.
VI. t. Borles Capt Nsvman's company, seth resi-