The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-09-18
Battle in Western Virginia.


took place about three O'Clock on Tues
lay afternoon near Sammeryille. Gen.,
Rosecrans, 9, after taking reconnaissance,
found Floyd's army FIVE thousand strong,
with sixteen field pieces, entrenched in d
powerful position on top of the mountain
at Carnix's Ferry, on athe west side Of
Gauley river. The rear. and extreme of
both fanks were inaccessible and the
front was masked by heavy forests and
close jungle, Col. !, Lytle's, 10th Ohio
Regiment, Of Benham,s Brigade, was in
advance, and drove strong detachment
of the enemy out of camp, this side of
the position, the site of which was nm
known. Shortly afterwards his scouts,
consisting of four companies, suddenly
discovered themselves in the face of 2
parapst battery and long line. Of palisades
for ridemel.5 When the, battle opened
6ercely the remainder Of the 18th Ohio
were brought into action successfully by
General Benham, and the 18th afterwards
by Capt. Ha-tsuff, whose object was an
armed Reconnaissance. The enemy played
upon our forces terri6cally with musket-
ry, rife, canister and SHE'LL causing some
casualties. 09G sailA g6 0eiaao,
| Col. sLytle led several companies of his
Irish to charge the battery, when he was
brought downIby q shot in the leg,
Smiths 18th Ohio engaged the enemy
on the left, and Col. Some's 18th Ohio
directly in front. ,s,l 49,. -. "a, ',-.g
Lowe fell dead at the head Of his Reg.
iment early in the hottest fire, by ball
| in the forehead. McMellen's Howitzer
Battery and Snyder's two field pieces
meantime were got,into the best position
possible under the circumstances, iand
soon silenced two of the rebels guns.
The fire slackened at Intervals but was a
| great deal more furious as night ap-
preached, when the German Brigade was
led gallantly into action by COL McCook.
under direction of Adj Gen'l Hartsuf,
but after furious fight of three hours,
night compelled the recall of the troops.
and the men layed on their arms within a
short distance of the enemy, each ready
to resume the contest next morning.
Floyd fed during the night and sunk
the boats in the river and destroyed the
temporary bridge which he had made
when he 6rst occupied the position. The
turbulence and depth of the river and the
exhaustion of the troops made itsimpos'
sibe to follow him. He left his camp
equipage, wagons. horses large quantities
of ammunition. and fifty head Of cattle
Our loss is fifteen killed and about sew,
enty wounded-genera!ly flesh wounds.
The rebel loss not ascertained.s They
carried their dead and wounded with them;
hut it, was certainly serious. Captain
McGroarty, of Cincinnati, Capt McMul.
len and Lieut.: Snyder, Of Ohio. are among
The wounded, but not dangerously. ss4i
Twenty five Of Col TyIer's men taken
at Cross Lanes were re-captnred, and
Fioyd's personal baggage. with that 81
his officers, was taken. q ss'tsisF sac
as Gen. Bsnham s brigade, which suffered
most, was commanded by him in person,
and McCook led his brigade. ysGenerals
Rosecrals and Benham.l Col Mcgeok
Cor Lytle,' Col. Lowe. Capt sHsrtsuf
Capt Snyder, Capt. McMulllen, Major
Burke. of. the 10th Ohio, 9 and other off.
GERS displayed conspicuous personal gal.
1antry. Roit''si''s'S'' .Rspotl7& 9p'e 10 sstgfs
y The troops we're exclusively from Ohio
and showed great bravery 2aiHiaist saf
sisi e9beLla a1.l lls1.------- Z. d2iaa e'lw yTa