The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-12-21

ing Of the 18th. A battalion of the
9th regiment, under Colonel Moody, was
ordered to make a detour to the enc
my's left so as to reach and attack
them in the flank at the same time
that General Milroy attacked them In front,
4 Owing to the darkness, and the wretehed
mountain paths, or no paths, through which
this division had to pass, it failed to arrive
at the time, and Milroy, expecting il every
moment and eager for fight, began the at
tack without it. The battle was warm, and
doubtful Our force was unprotected, the
enemy were entrenched, and at least two
/ to our one. Once there were signs of
wavering, and portions Of some of the regi-
ments fell into disorder. In the nick Of
time Maj. Dobbs Of the 18th, came up with
portion of that regiment which had been
left behind, and restored the fight. A little
after 8 o'clock, Col. Moody, with his division
came up, and joined the attacking column,
and then our men began the work of clean
ing out the entrenchments in earnest. One
after the other of the four lines Of breast
works and bitches was carried, the enemy
raliying in the next one behind as fast IS
the one in front was stormed, 80 that our
troops had to make four separate and hard
fights of it before they cleared the field.
At last, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. after
q scattering but bloody battle lasting all
day, our men drove the enemy from the last
earthwork, and were masters of the position.
In the last ditch young Joseph Gordon was
killed, after having fought with extraordi-
nary gallantry all day, and killed fve Of
the enemy. He was shot through the head
aud died instantly. A little earlier in the
fight, Capt. Madden of the 9th was killed,
but how we do not know. After driving
the enemy from the entrenchments which
protected their camp, our troops retired, il
being then dark, and slept on the field, to
renew the fight next morning. But the
enemy had had enough of it. Our scouts, /
as soon as it was light saw that the re-
doubtable ehiyalry had burned everything
that couldn't be carried off and would burn,
and had retreated nobody knew where.
Col. Kimball is satisfied that the rebel force
is utterly disorgauized, aud that Eve hum
dled men cannot be found together any,
where in Western Virginia. We lost thirty
meR killed, and rather more than that num-
ber wounded. OF the enemy over $50 dead
bodies were found in the entertainments
BY our men before Colonel Kimball left. !
Among them was that of Colonel, sup
posed to be Col. Jennison's, who command |
ed. On Saturday night a party of Col |
KimbalPs scouts brought in nine prisoners, /
among whom was the noted Colonel Stern, |
or Stern, who has been one of the most !
active leaders of the guerilla bands in that !
country. Two Colenels and probably I've |
hundred men killed and wounded, with /
thirty prisoners, make up very handsome
victory, and the enemy confess it by burn |
ing up their camp and scattering in every !
way. We lost nine prisoners, of the 9th /
regiment, by their headIong disposition to
get ahead Of the rest Of the regiment. Onr
total loss, we suppose, is about seventy, in
killed, wounded and prisoners.
Col. Kimball states that rebel deserters
are constantly coming into camp, some-
times singly, sometimes in squads Of four
or five, begging protection, and permission
to enlist in our army. They represent
themselves as having been shamefully used
by the rebels, and more than glad to escape.
The enemy may now be considered expelled
from Western Virginia, and it Is doubtful if
they will again attempt to invade it. Cen
eral Reynolds, without any fuss or parade
of strategy or courage, has succeeded ad-
mirably in his command, and we believe be
is.to-day better man than four-ffths Of
those who sport more stars than be does.
It was reported, as Colonel Kimball left,
that Gen. Reynolds had been ordered to
Romney to relieve General Kelley, and it
was thought probable that our Indiana for
ces would accompany him. If they do they
may have chance at a little bigger game
than the Cheat Mountains have given them.