The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1861-07-12
SAINT PAUL. FRIDAY, JULY H. 1861
The Bloody Skirmish of the ZOuave
Scouts near rCumberland--A Thrill
ling Account


The Indianapolis Journal contains "let-
ter, written at Camp McGinnis, Cumber-
land, Indiana, Jure 9th" giving the full
particulars Of the desperate fight of the
Zouaves at Davis Greek, as follows:
The party went down the north fork of
the Potomac to the bnrnt bridge, six miles
below and crossed into Virginia, along The
line OF the railroad. After iEquiring along
at different points as 10 the presence OF
troops, they were told at one house that
they were just ahead. The woman said she
had counted lorty-one horsemen. A little
further on they came upon their tracks, and
meeting Il footman, be said they were but
fifty yard ahead, hid by bend in the road.
They put spurs 10 their horses, and coming
in sight, fired on them. The rebels turned
in their saddles and fired, but made no
stand. Both parties continued at a full
run, our party passing five or six OF the
crew they had unhorsed, until they came to
cuiyert With bridge over It too long for
the horses to eap several horses fell over
this. One officer, thought to be Captain,
tUuSN upOu law az tIlS SuifClb SaEC
him the sword stroke on his head. | think
Dave shot bis horse from under him. Dave
received bis wounds in this fight while
running after them, and had bis horse
killed. This captains horse fell over the
culvert, the captain going through the cul-
vert aud coming through On the other side
of the railroad, came upon Farley, catching
him by the left shoulder, and raised his re-
vOlver to strike him with it, when Hollow
gil broke his gun stock over his head, and
they Farley and the captain) clinched and
rolled down the bill! together. The captain
then surrendered himself and begged for
mercy. Farley unloosed his grip and got
up, when the captain-a man of about 200
pounds weight-caught Farley about the
legs and pulled him down again. Farley
then struck him with his sabre bayonet
across his right and left temple, and CEN
tire blow upon the top of his head. Harri.
son, of company Ii, then shot him in the
breast. Strange as it may seem, Farley
says he was not dead when be left him. 1t
has since been ascertained that he is cele-
brated Texan Ranger, notorious as i blood
thirsty and courageous man.
AS the rebels were flying up the side of
the mountain one OF them aimed his revol-
yer at one OF our scouts, and just as he pull.
led the trigger, down fell Mr.. Zouave, fiat
on the ground, land the ball passed harmessly
over him. a fellow Zouave, who was near
him, aimed at one of the rebels of the party
on the mountain, and firing, the rascal leap,
ed out of his saddle into the air, and fell
dozen feet below, upon rock (as the scout
told me), with chack! Many little incl
dents l must omit Our boys killed seven
or eight 10 this skirmisb; killed several hor.
ses, and captured five Or six; several reyol
vers, five silver mounted dragoon and navy
pistols, and the captains sword.
Dave was so weak they were compelled,
on their return, to stop on Keleys Island,
between Virginia and Maryland. Baker
went for wagon to carry Dave. Before
bis return the rebels had received reinforce
ments and came upon them again with be.
tween fifty and sixty men. Under the
excitement OF the moment Hays managed
to get on horse, and the boys started him
toward the river and turn on the rebels.
The first that came through the ravine fell
dead in his tracks, and three Were shot in
the middle of the branch as they rode
through, falling in the water. As they
rushed on, our boys, who were dismounted
at the time, became separated in thick
underground and logs, and it was every
man for himself for little while. Most OF
the boys had emptied their pistols in the
first fight, and having no pistol ammunition,
they were Obliged TO trust to their rifles,
bat they made every shot tell. Lew. Far
ley, OF company F, SHOT six himself, one OF
them the leader of the party. There was
hardly any OF the party but what brought
down his man, and some of them killed two
or three apiece. AS soon as our boys dis
covered that they were outnumbered so
largely--about six or eight to one-they
beat retreat. Two OF the boys threw
their guns in the canal, they were pressed
so hard, not having time to reload Another
was chased nearly three miles by the enemy,
they ring at him as he ran. Having wet
his ammunition in crossing the river, threw
away his rifle, and had to depend on his
heels.
After the men became separated in the
underground in the first rush uf the rebels,
it was impossible to get together again
and while some remained on the ground,
Others were obliged to retreat. Farley
and one or two others remained until the
whole fight was over, aud then started for
the camp.
Ourprr Tnlv