Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-18
Col. O. L. STEVENSON, A. A. Gen.
THE BATTLE ON ALLEGaANY MOUNTAIN
AUTHENTIC AND INTERESTING CORREsPON-
Z. JOHNSON,
Col. Commanding.

Especial correspondence Of the Lynchburg Republican
CAMP ALLreHAsY, Dec. H. 1861.
DEAR REPUBLICAN :-Yes,erday, our scouting party,
whils lying In ambush Savans Crossing, several
miles ia advance Of old camp, "Bsrtow" and about
fourteen miles from this place. discovered The advance
guard Of the enemy advancing down the road towards
them Our brave fellows waited until they approached
quite near when they opened FIRE upon them killing and
wounding eighteen out Of twenty.three men. In very
few minutes the main column Of the enemy came 10
sight when our scouts compelled TO retreat They
came into camp about dusk and made their report when
preparations Immediately commenced for the work
We knew we had 10 perform the morrow.
This morning at o'clock, the "long roll" alarmed
every from his slumbers, aud the firing of pickes
heraded the advance Of the enemy. At o'clock they
made their appearance, and commenced an attack in
heavy force both the right aud left Ainks Of our
camp They were CALAMITY met 10 open field by the
l2 Georgia. the 62i and Slst virginia regiments and
Hansborougis battalion and although brave fel
lows outnumbered five to one, they charged upon
the foe, aud put them to complete route. They soon
ri led however. and advanced in stronger force and
succeeded 10 takiug possession Of Oommissary De-
pot but In very short time they driven from the
place with great slaughter This was on our right. On
left the enemy got among the trees which had been
felled for the purpose Of clearing the ground and
protected to extent from the fire Of musketry,
but our artillery was brought to bear upon them and
they compelled to leave their and
to their heels.
Captain Miller of the Rockbridge artillery, with his
battery, aud the .Howzer Of the "L.e Battery" of
Lynchburg conspicuous in performing this service
and made tremendous havoc among the enemy. The
enemy finding all their efforts futile, and that they were
me. at every point with iron hail. which carried death
among their ranks withdrew from the ed leaving In
possession Of il, though our victory was dearly won.
To The early part of the engagement the brave and
chvarous Captain P. Anderson, of the Lac Bate
y" fell MORALLY wounded, and died In few minutes
Captain James Deshlsr, Of the regular artillery,
,ho. through both thighs and IL is feared viii not
cover.
Capt Mayueham, Of Hansboroughs Battalion, was
chot through the heart and instantly killed; and
Der Of other gallant and valuable officers were severe
", some of them dangerously wounded.
Our gallant Commander, Col E1~ard johnson, of the
l9;h Georgia, who commanded during the battle, made
several narrow escapes his clothes bear testimony
tina. several balls passed through different portions Of
them, without am happy TO say, iOaictng any injury.
He was in all parts Of the field, and, musket in hand,
encouraged the men BY bis presence and example 10 re-
pei the enemy.
The Hght commenced at eight o'clock and about half.
past one the enemy gave up in despair and retired from
tie Held after suffering heavy loss both In killed and
wounded The exact number could no. ascertain,
Is those who fell in the carly part Of the yht
red eff in ambuances Their loss cannot be less than
800 400 as there were some eighty or ninety left
dead the battle ground in I'D ii!ion to numbsr Of
their wounded. Our loss is about twenty five killed, and
sr.y wounded some Of them very badly.
The wounded Yankees and prisoners who fell into our
hands, state the force they had to be 000 They
from Cheat Mountain and Huttonsvl-, and evidently
expected to surprise us They were mistaken in their
calculations, as the bloody sequel shows
Our effective force was only about 800 men, but
every man host within himself and felt and fought
as though the fortunes Of the day depended upon him
alone.
At o'clock Ia the evening" Col SCOTS 44.h Virginia
Regiment arrived in camp, but they were not then
needed.
We expect another fybt tomorrow, and should Il
come off, you may set It down certain to result in
thrashng for the Hesans than We gave them to-
day.
After the death Of Captain Anderson. your correspon.
dent was placed BY Colonel Johnson in command OF the
Lee Battery" Leutenants Rine and Massey both
being absent
The duties which have thus devoved upon me, to.
gether with want Of paper. prevent from entering
more fully into the details Of the fight In another let
ter you snail have full particulars