Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-06
4 Night Attack by CaTaIrY-RarpFIse an d
A1nlhllatIOn % a federal Regiment.

Prem the Rishmond DiIpateh, DSe 9.
We have published several imperfect accounts Of
the attack upon Federal regiment quartered in
the town Of Guyandotte, Va, including the mepds-
eious statement circulated through the Northern
newspapers but nothing go full and interesting as
the subjunct narrative, written for this paper BY
who participated in the fight, has yet appeared
in print. The prisoners captured by our troops on
that eTentful night arrived in Richmond some DAYS
ago.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY OF Army OF KAEAwHA !
CANP NEAR LOGAN c. H. Va, Nov. A.
Editors Of Dispatch: A portion Of the 5th and stu
Regiments of Virginia Cavalry, under the command
of Col John W Carkson, observation-disclosures A G.
Jenkins. and Major II FitEhugh, left the headquar-
ters of Gen. Floyd at Camp Dickinson, in Fsyette
county, IN Nov. 4th, with instructions to strike
the enemy blow On the OHIO river, and to give
protection to the loyal citizens in the vicinity of
their march.
pass over the incident of most tedious and ex-
posed march, without tents or other camp equip-
age for one hundred snd seventy FIVE miles, over
roads washed sway by the unprecedented freshets
Of this fall, over which seven hundred men and
horses were conducted by the great energy of their
commanders in less than one weeks time and with
greater speed than the news of their march could
be carried by the spies who infest the country
The march itself was one of the most daring feats
of the campaign, and was pltirilgly prosecuted in
defiance of weather and mountain, By swimming
rivers and travelling paths on the steep sides Of
mountains.
At sunset on Sunday, the 10Th inst. the whole
command charged at full speed into Cabell Court
House, surrounding the town before inhabitants
had any notice of their approach. Although 3
party Of the enemy had very lately been in the town
they euded our attack BY having Joined their com
m2nd at Ceredo.
After arresting several traitors, ard opening a
store owned by one of them, about dark we re>
sumed hurried march Of seven miles to Guyan-
dotte, on the Ohio river. This place is q well
built town of about 1000 inhabitants at which the
enemy had CHARTERED a regiment commanded BY
Col. Whaley, citizen Of Wayne county, Va and
lately elected a member of Congress of the United
States. He had under his command 200 or $50
infantry, armed with Enfield guns and about forty
cavalry, admirably equipped. Although q night
attack was deprecated by our Oficers yet the sur
prise to the enemy was found TO be 60 complete az
to invite immediate descent on them Accor-
dinghy about one mile from the town. and while We
were yet undiscovered, charge in three parties
was ordered, the first under Captain COrns 70 take
possession of the bridge affOrdng a retreat for the
enemy toward CeredO; the next under Coils. Clark
sOn and Jenkins, to penetrate into the centre of
town, aud to dislo6ge the ENEMY from buildings
which they occupied in that quarter;
and the third under Major Fitzhugh through the
town, to the roads in the upper portion of it, pre-
vent their escape up the river. The movements
were conducted nearly simultaneously, 80 ss CONS
pletely to surround the enemy before they were
aware Of il NJ Of the enemy took to the houses
on thu , = OF the narrow streets, and from the
upper Niu., IS and dOnrs delivered deadly volleys
OF fire the hOrsemen gallopng IN the streets be-
low them. In the darkness never knew where
an enemy was but by the fash Of his gun from some
hiding place. After returning the fire for few
moments, our men were ordered to dismount and to
storm the houses, which they promptly did, killing
or capturing the inmates. During the fight q nuns
Der of the enemy attempted to cross the bridge to-
wards Ceredo, defended by Capt Corns, who fred /
into them killing three, and making the rest leap
into the river, drowning all except two, who were
captured after they SWAN ashore. Others who at /
tempted to swim the Ohio we're also either shot or
drowned.
We Lost two men killed-Capt Huddleston, of the /
Ksnswha Rangers, killed by our own men, who !
mstook him in the dark for one Of the enemy, and /
i private in Captain Corns compsny. We also lost /
several horses and had six men wounded. Captain /
HuddlestOl was brave mar, and so much endeared
10 his company that when the command left Guys
andette saw many of his old comrades near his
lead body in tears and others kissed his pale, tran
luil facs, which they will never see again.
A night attack by cavalry is the most startling
feature Of war, and generally condemned as militia
y gambling by the red tape soldiers Of the schools,