Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-09-25
PROGRESS OF THE WAR.
BATTLES IN THE VIRGINIA VALLEY.

The following interesting account of Gen. Floyds
battle with Gen. Rosencrantz is from the pen of
one of the editors of the Lynchburg Republican:
HEADQUARTERS NEAR DoGwOOD GAP,
September II, 1861.
On Monday last we received intelligence of the
advance of the enemy in heavy force, from the d.
rection of Sutton, along the Summeryille road. On
Tuesday morning Col. McCauslins regiment, which
had been down at Summervile as our advance, was
driven in, and the enemy encamped fourteen miles
distant from us. We expected him to drive in
pckets on Tuesday night and attack US on Wednes-
day morning; but contrary to these expectations,
he forced his march and drove in pckets at 2
o'clock on Tuesday. Our line of battle was at once
formed behind our breas:workS, and scarcely had
all our forces been placed in position, before the
enemy was seen swarming in the woods from one
end of our lines to the other He approached with
great elaboration and 6rmness, and his central col
umn emerged from the woods and above the hills,
two hundred yards in 'front.' just fifteen minutes
after o'clock. He approached US from this point
in double quick time, evidently intending to force
our works at the point of the bayonet. At the first
crack of rifles, the gallant Colonel who led in
front of his men, a splendid black charger, fell
dead to the earth, while the head of his column
coiled in utter confusion. The ColoneIs horse as
If unconscious of the fall of his rider dashed up to
our entertainments and around them into camp,
and from the inscription upon the mountings Of his
pistols, proved to be Col. William II. Lyttells, of
Cincinnati. saw the daring officer fall from his
horse, and he was certainly one of the bravest of
the brave, for he sought 1.-THE bauble reputation"
at the very cannon's mouth.
The enemy's columns now opened upon us along
the whole OF our centre and right and for an hour
the rattle of Iuusketry and the thunder of our
ullery was inceSsant and terrible.
The enemy was driven back and senced for a
moment but came again to the fight supported with
Fun nr IS &c -, -
rlted cannon For another hour and a half the
battle ragged with terrific fury, and again the enc
mys guns were silenced and he driven from our
view.
The sun was now fast sinking behind the distant
mountains, and We were strongly in hopes that the
enemy had met his final repulse for the evening but
few minutes dspelled our illusion. For the third
time the enemy came back to the conflict with more
violence and determination than before He assaulted
US this time from end of lines to the other
and tried his best to flank us. For another hour
and half and until the dark curtains of night
closed in upon us the fight ragged with intense fury
At first, the range both of their small arms and
artillery was very bad shooting entirely over our
heads. The range of their cannon was especially
bad for while their balls cut off the tops and split
open the giant oaks in our encampment their Shells
with few exceptions burst high in the air and full
nifty yards in our rear. But, when they came to
the last charge they had gotten the range far better
anu their OaIS began TO pillow up our establishments,
while their shells broke directly over us in every
direction and with terrible fury. The enemy
seemed to be perfectly enraged at our obstinate re-
sistance, and was determined to pour out the full
walls Of his wrath upon u.s.
The battle ceased at fifteen minutes past seven
o'clock, having continued almost necessarily four
long hours. Our men stood to their posts with
astonishing GOODNESS and courage. The only fault
they committed during the battle was that of firing
upon the enemy at two long range, and while toe
securely posted behind the dense forest trees which
skirted our entire lines
We did not loose single man killed, and moi
more than ten wounded The enemy's loss could
not be ascertained, but at one single spot, where
Col Lytell fell, we counted 81 dead bodies The
prisoners inform US that their loss was heavy anc
from the fact that We silenced their guns thre.
times We confident this report is entirely true
The prisoners also informed US that another Colo
mel, whose name l no not remember, was badly i
not fatally wounded and his horse killed under him
Our officers acted with great GOODNESS and bravery
Inc battle had ragged but twenty minutes when ou
galiant General vas very painfully wounded in tn
right arm the ball entering near the elbow ant
passing out near his wrist without breaking an,
bone we retired him a short distance under tn
hii and mad the wound dressed by Surgeon Gleaves
ana IN ten minutes he was again moving along GU
lines encouraging his men by his presence and hi
voice. At q later stage Of the fight a MIME bal
tore through the lapel of his coat and ano.he
through the cantel of his saddle Indeed. it is tn
wonder Of all Of us how he escaped death Non
but his staff and surgeon knew he was wonnde
until the close of the fight. He is now sufferin
much pain. n, = $500
l do noNknow the names Of all our wounded h,
John Stone and Thos W. Martin, of Capt. HeI