Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-07-31

W NOiullt1iANu ~ HSH SiSSNNA oDtlt1
the Kanawha valley is equally as rough as
the district about Rich Mountain, far worse
for forage. with fewer inhabitants. and
they, almost to a man, sec~essiOnists.
We are far from intending to depreeiate
the services of Gen. Mcclellan, for he has
done calamity and nObly, but we protest
against the injustice some newspapers and
correspondents persist in doing Gen. Cox,
The latest news of him, at this writing, is
the following:
Especial Dispatch to the Cincinnati Gazette.
COLUMBUS, July &c.
The War Department has authorized
tbirty-six infantry regiments for the war
from Ohio. In two or three weeks from
this time they will ali be organized and
ready for orders.
The Twcnty-ffth Regiment moves from
Camp Chase tomorrow, the Twenty-eighth
on Monday, from Camp Dennison, and the
Twenty-sixth from Camp Chase IN Tues
day.
Gen. Cox entered Charleston yesterday.
Wise fed. burning bridges and destroying
property.
He burned a steamboat to keep our
troops from taking it. Wise is strength
ening the Union cause by his vandalism.
General Cox is doing glorious work, ac-
eOrding to the reports here tonight.
The Clevc. Herald of the 30th says;
Intelligence from Gen. Cox's command
was received at Cincinnati on Sunday BY
the arrival of a U. S. steamer from the
Kanawha.-The fre-eating Wise fed pre-
cipitately from Charleston on the approach
of Cox, and the rebels left behind a large
portion Of their camp e~quipage, guns, &c.
Among other good things, was one of the
two cannon, the carriage of which Capt.
Cottcr banged to pieces at Scarey Creek.
1t had been nicely fixed with new wheels,
and was put into active service by its cap
tors. On Tuesday. the inhabitants say,
Wise swore the stars and stripes should
not wave over Charleston again, and on
Wednesday he was of without waiting to
fully pack up, leaving a good supper ready
cooked for the Ohio boys. The rebels
burned the bridge at Elk river as they
ran, which Gen. Cox rebuilt in twenty
four hours, and pushed on after them.
The hurry Of Wise grew out of fear of be-
ing ~awkwardly caught between the fires Of
Cox and Rosencrans. The day before the
retreat, Capt Jenkins sent a flag of truce
to Gen. Cox, requesting i conference to
arrange for an exchange of prisoners, the
object being to exchange Col. Norton fol-
Maj. Patton. a valuable confederate officer.
The flag was not allowed to pass the pick.
cts. Gen. c. returning an answer that he
would be prepared in a few DAYS to treat
for an exchange of prisoners.
The Cincinnati Commercial says
Mr.. Gibner, of this city, left Charles
ton, on the Kanawha, on Friday afternoon
and arrived here Saturday evening. Hc
reports that Gen. Cox proceeded with great
caution from POGO, and was considerably
delayed by burnt bridges. which he wa:
compelled to replace. The enemy were
scattered about Charleston and vicinity in
considerable numbers, but fed without fir
ing a gun. Our troops sent several vol
leys after them, killing a few, and Capt.
COtter of the Cleveland artillery, fired one
shot into the rebel steamer Julia Motif,
which caused her boilers to explode, and
she burned to the waters edge. The reb-
els, under Wise, were strongly fortified be-
low Charleston, but they evacuated their
position, and left considerable plumber be-
hind them. which was taken by Cox's
troops. They retreated to Gauley bridge,
thirty-eight miles above Charleston, where
it was supposed they would give battle
The position is formidable, and if they
have had time to fOrtify it, it will require
hard fighting to drive them out Gen.
Cox was pursuing them cautiously bat
steadily, to prevent them from establish
ing themselves too strongly. His rear col
umn moved from Charleston for Gauley
bridge, at 2 o'clock Friday afternoon. Mr..
Gibner says that Wise's army was about
1000 strong, but his troops we're greatly
demoralized, and be thinks 500 men must
have deserted before they reached Gauley.
Gen. Cox had four regiments-the llth
and 18th Ohio, and the two Kentucky reg
iments-Col. Guthrie having Joined them
besides a company of cavalry; Cotter's
battery Of two guns, and the Ironton Ar
tillery of two guns, making a force $500
men. Capt. ]. o. Lane, of this city, and
his company of mechanics were infinitely
serviceable TO Gen. Cox in rebuilding
bridges. The General is extremely eau
tious in moving through the country, send
ing out scouts and skirmishers constantly
in advance to prevent surprises. Mr.. Glib
ner thought that a battle prObab y took
place at Gauley bridge yesterday. We are
informed, however, that Wise retreated,
although our information is not definite.
He informed the people of Charleston that
he was ordered to retire Immediately to
Eastern Virginia. Meantime, an expedi-
ton consisting of three regiments, under
Col. Tyler, of the Ohio 9TH, had movedto
Weston to cut off the rebels at Gauley.-
If they retreated from that position it is
probable that both Cox and Tyler are pur-
suing them. The 2lst Ohio declined to 90
to Gauley bridge because their time had
expired.
Horses and Wagons far the Army.