The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-07-20
COL. PEGRAM TAKEN PRISONER.
The Retreat of our Gallant Little Band.

RICHMOND, July 15-It is a sad pleasure to com
muuicate to you state of affairs in Northwestern
Virginia that at first sight may appear disastrous
but which upon closer examination sheds many
ray of satisfaction and encouragement to our future
decentralization that our late isuccess has lost
to our State that portion which should never have
been defended, and encouragement from the fact
that our gallant boys fight with much success
| az ainst thousand odds.
| Camp Garnett is situated in gorge lust teyond
the pass that runs between Rich and another noun
| tain. The low slope of this latter mountain re-
treats from the camp, and consequently does not
command it, but the more perpendicular slope OF
Rich Mountain is adjacent to the position, and upon
it there is eminence that is considered the very
key 20 Camp Garnett. On Tuesday last Col.
| Pegram, knowing the Importance of this point,
detached three companies (Buckipg ham Lee Guard,
Rock bridge Guard, and Pryor Rifles, and one gun
from the Lynchburg Artillery, to secure the posi-,
| tion at all hazards. They gained the height and
about ten O clock had built the breastwOrk to the
| height of two logs; meanwhile, the enemy, guided
by the Union mountaineers, had by squads and
companies reached point beyond the breastw0 0rks
| and little more elevated
Immediately they commenced an attack upon our
| unfinished breaStwork from the distance of fifteen
| hundred wards They advanced, and fired with
Minnie rifles necessarily. No execution however
was done with these arms. Our loss was at shorter
distances from the deadly fire of brother Vir-
ginans. Approaching within five hundred yards,
they began to feel the fatal shots from our boys. At
this and shorter distances they were moved down
like wheat before the blade. At every volley from
US they fell back in confusion, but their overwhe In
ing numbers pressed forward until they discharged
| their pieces in very faces; then we thought re-
treat better than fool hardy death, and each one
sought safety in fight down the other side of the
mountain.
been eight thousand. Three thousand advanced to
| the attacks, while the rest were held in reserve
Part of the reserve occupied Rich Mountain, while
| part descended that mountain crossed the pass
| and occupied the side of the other mountain moi
far from the road-thus being on both sides of the
road, in order, suppose, to cut off Col. Pegram
il he should attempt retreat to Beverly. Our
whole force in the engagement was two hundred
and fifty.
We held the enemy in check with this little hand
full for an hour and half LeOnidas with hi;
three hundred Spartans could have done TO more
Our loss was, considering all the circumstances,
comparatively small, sixty will cover the whole
The Buckingham Lee Guard suffered most severe
ly, having thirtv men, together with Captain lr-
wing and Lieut.. Boyd killed. Capt. Curry, of the
Rockbridge Guard, and Capt. Anderson, Of The
Lyuchburg Artillery, were also among the killed
Four hundred of the enemy found merited doom
in death.
The battle began at haIEpast one and ended a
three. At sunset report says that Col +. led sil
companies out from his camp up Rich Mountain tr
retake his position, but mistakng his way he missed
his mark, and told his men to save themselves al
best sthey could-he would return and bring out
the regiment. In this latter attempt he was taker
prisoner Many of his smen cut through the enemy
and came up with Regiment on its retreat
This is the last know of the affair.
Now for the movements of our (the 44th) regi
ment That morning (the 1lth) we resumed oul
march at Beverly from Staunton to Laurel Hill
and had advanced five miles, when Col. Scott re-
ceived despatch from Col. Pegram, urgently beg
ging for assistance. Col. s. faced about, marched
back to Beverly, and took road almost at right
angles for Rich Mountain. Within three miles o
Rich Mountain he heard the firing and advanced
at quick time to the scene of action. Arriving
there at three O'Clock, when the firing had almos
ceased, he halted in the mountain path. And upon
his six hundred unconscious men, the reserve OF the
enemy looking down from each mountain
(They must have mistaken us for friends or our de-
lstructinn would have been certain ,
| COL S. was not aware of the proximity OF the
enemy until he sent forward a scout (Llpford, o.
Fluvanna) to reconnotre. Inis scout Deing shot
he Immediately ordered retreat Sending on tne
baqpape train, he returned to Beverly. Here he
halted an hour and resumed his march toward
Cheat Mountain. After two nights and dav
march we reached Greenbrier river, at which place
Saturday morning) lett the camp, on special de
tail, for Richmond.
From the Richmond Enquirer, of the 18th,
copy of which we have also received, we have tn
following account, showing that the news of tn
death of Gen. Garnett had reached Richmond:
| The News from the Northwest.
We learn from a gentleman who lett Beverl
on Friday, at ten O'Clock, that the enemy entere
that place shortly after he left. We learn fror
him also that were somewhat mistaken in ou
account of the fight at Rich Mountain. The fact
are as follows: Our picket guard, consisting of th
, following companies: The Upshur Greys, Captai
: Higginbotham; Buckingham Lee Guard, Captai
-. Irving; Captain Curry's company from Rockbridg
7 Hardy Blues, Captain Mullen, and one other con
: pany, and Captain DelaniePs artillery compap.