Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-11-29
NUMBER 70
From the Clncinna,i Enquirer, 18th

NIom lut NlnuiuuN'l EuQuiIbTt eotus
A Letter from Gauiey-The Recent
Fight at Gauley Brldge--The EIev-
enth Ohio.
We have been permitted to make the follow
ing synopsis of an interesting private letter,
written by an officer Of the Eleventh Ohio, and
q well known Ciboinnatian. He graphically
describes the particulars of the late fighting
and skirmishing At Gauley. After saying that
he was detailed by Colonel De Villiers to 60
in q small boat and see IL the enemy were in
the vicinity, he Gays: emptied my pockets
of every thing valuable; one of the staff gave
me drink of peach brandy, for was wet aud
cold, having been on duty as Lieutenant Of the
guard.
After was seated in the skiff, I began to
comprehend my position. Scouting in a sliff,
with my back 10 the enemy, was any thing
but pleasant, 50 1 conclpArd to ask for some
one to accompany me. After some delay, the
Second Lieutenant of Company A, with one
of his meD, agreed to go with me. then
rowed the skif up to the Falls, or very near
there, the noise of which drowned tho sound
of the oars. We landed at the log house,
made a reconnaissance, and returned, making
a noise with the oars, so ss to draw the FIRE Of
the enemy's pickets, in order to ascertain their
location, but without success. How happy I
felt when I reached Gauley side, safe and
soundl But my happiness was Of short dura
tion, as 1 was again ordered 10 go with
squad, and stretch a rope across New River,
which was accomplished under the greatest
difficulties. 1--WE will not mention here the
details of an exciting scene that took place be-
tween the Colonel and Captain Lane, as to the
management of the rope. Suffice it to say
that the controversy was very warm.)
We Ian the boat over with about forty men,
and was ordered to proceed with the second
platoon and await further orders, and went
neArlU faT tho &c Paint nf RNnka - Wa
were then ordered to go down the river short
distance and up the mountain, which we sue
ceeded in climbing, and got on top of o secesh
battery. No enemy visible. picked up sew
e1al unexploded shells from our guns, which
had struck about sixty yards too low. We
again commenced climbing and gained the ridge
| aDd halted. The Colonel had gone back for tho
balance of the regiment, and soon returned.
We then proceeded along the ridge. Lane TAX
ing the first platoon as far as the Falls 1 took
the second platoon about four and half miles
along the secesh road, leaving pickets at every
cross path, aud only had three men left. /
| heard firing to our left, and soOn after one OF
my squad, member of Company A, who had
| turned off from the road, was shot through the
head. During this skirmisbing we got TO the
regiment. Colonel De Villiers shot two rebels,
| aad our boys slaughtered four. The enemy
took to their heels. Our men were scattered
over too much ground. A squad of ten secesh-
| ers ran through our advanced lines.
The letter, after describing the hardships of
giving the countersign to the outposts, refers to
the fight of the following day. It says:
"Coeman was reinforced; our men on the
hill were driven back; one killed of Company
B. One entire regiment attacked us; but
after the FIRST shock, which was severe, our
men returned, and, advancing rapidly, we
cleaned the mountains, killing q number of
the enemy. We occupied the place until Mon
day evening about eight o'clock, when we were
relieved by the Second Ken,ucky Regiment
They came over about eight o'clock in the
morning, but it took all day for them to get tC
the posts occupied by us. You can imagine
how we suffered when say we were without
blankets, overcoats and provisions all this time
The old Eleventh has done its duty nobly, and
dope what many of the regiments dare not do
The letter says, in conclusion:
"The posts have been abandoned; the rebel
are scattered and running. All the boats an
sBiffs are broken up or burnt.
at tell you, if you had seen the officers an
mfn who we're playing off sick, iS would shak
your faith in our troops. Colonel De Villier
has just issued orders for all the sick, lame an
towards to report at head quarters. The oil
Eleventh now has but two hundred and thirty
five men fit for duty, out of a full regiment
which fully evidences its service"