The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-09-27
THE SKIRMISH AT TOWNSVILLE.
COLONEL sTuARr's OFFICIAL REPORT.
HEADOlf ARTFRS MpNsCN's Hin

September IL, 1861
ENERAL--I started about twelve O'Clock with Thir-
tecnth Virginia Volunteers, commanded by Major Terrl
ao5 men) First section Of Rossers battery, Washington
Artillery, and detachment OF First cavalry, under Cap
tain Patrick, for Iewinsvlle where, learned from my
cavalry pickets tho enemy were posted with force.
Ny intention was to surprise them and succeeded en-
re'y, approaching Townsville by the cnemys left and
rear taking care to keep my small force an entire secret
from their observation 1 at the same time carefully
provided against the disaster TO myself which was
striving TO nict upon the enemy and felt that il
necessary could fall back successfully before any
the eaciy might have for the country favorable to
retreat aud ambusca6c.
At point nicely screened by the woods from Lcwins-
vie and few hundred yards from the place, Isent for
ward, under Major Terril portion Of his command,
seahiiy to reach the wood at turn Of the road and
rcconnotre beyond This was admirably done. and the
Major reported TO that the enemy had a piece
Of artillery in position the road just at Lcwinsv,,
commanding our road. l directed him Immediately TO
post his ricmen to render it impossible for tho
cannoncers TO the piece and If possible to capture
it, During subsequent operations the tried
Intellectually to the piece; and finally after
shot through the head, the piece taken of While
This going few shots from Rosser's section at
cluster OF the onemy quarter Of mile oil, put tho
tire force OF the enemy in full retreat exposing their
tire column to flank fire rom pieces Some wagons
and large body OF cavalry first passed in hasty fight
the rifle piece and howzor firing they passed. then
came flying battery, eight pieces OF artillery (Grns)
which took position about six hundred yards
front and right, and rancd shot and shell
With harmless eject although strkns xerv near or'
Then passed three regiments OF infantry, at double
quick, receiving, in succession they passed Rossers
bnoJs wi cr",,,n th gre,test bavoc ana Combustion in
Their rant The ,,st iuontrv regiment was foowod NV
coInmn of c,valrv which nj ono time roe over ,,o
rear or Tho nnntrv in great confusion Tho AID enerai
AMI tan ofcars ware srn xcrtin verv o,crt ~
order in tser broken ranks and NV cavalry yfiets Oh
serving their flight, reported that they finally rallied
mile and half below, and took position up the road,
where they supposed our Columns would DO pursuing
heip captain iosser having no enemy feft TO contend
with, AZ his own request, was permitted to review the
ground Of The enemys Hight and found tho road poughcd
up by his Solid shot and strewn with ragmcns Of Shells
TWO men oit dead on the roai, one maraiiy woundcd,
aud one rot hurt taken prgo1cr The prisoner said the
havoc in their ranks was teirful, Justiying what saw
myself OF the confusion MAYOR Icrriis shari shooters
were ny no means idle, hring whenever struggling Yam
kee showed his head and capturing aieutean Captured
by Mar ferr! himself one sergeant anu one private,
al belonging TO the Nineteenth INDIANA Colonel Mere
diths). The prisoners reported to mo that General
out publicly that the occupancy OF Lewinsvcwas To be
permanent. Alas for human expectations. The officers
hihaS, Observation-Disclosures ami tho "ring ,rc ~, ,h
IN ,,,r irocto, or ,,,n,t pe sns M ;o,ionar, c
,,,, Sa,, Tho ,i,,,o ar s rro,, DO 49,
,anI .r c,roo,, an ,,,, ,n,,on 49, W, y 49, ,,
o,',, go naIa voio,c o.
s1yI h Thnna;r pa9. and W,ssrs Hrston ana pr 90
;,;a, ~ t,ni'I - w., ,a 49, . Nv i NO.
W. p g., i't 49,, " - r, " i " si''o"i
onr osn u.s. mar scratch ~ man mr. horse Wa bovs
No ,ao,s cr cro,rn, ts aro,ys oxn.n, Tho, :, ,,st
bo,." hoe, heavy ROW tho cnsc,. ~ ia shots No
found in nI ,onr lend and mortajl, wounded and can
sd ,rr NJ co.rsa ,Ia,, a-r,od a al H.. cnttP
W y,f -, ,b w a.. .ney u1 h