The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-23
THE MICHIGAN ARTILLERY AND THE SKIR.
MlSH AT MIDDLE FORK BRIDGE.
On THE BANKS or T1IE MIDDLE FORK. Y
FIFTEEN MILES SOUTHEAST or BucKHANSoS,
Nv Tup RrvYpy NV RoAD Va July O 1881

OK THE BANKS or TIE MIDDLE FORK
FIFTEEN Mules SOUTHEAST BycKHAysoS
OK THE BEVERLEY ROAD, Va, July Q, 1861.
The time has finally arrived when the acceptable
Of news--the news Of lghtn which boys partic-
hatod, be related shall relate the incidents of
terfst that have TRANSFERRED since last communicated
with you in rs brief manner as possible.
On the morning Of the 9th of July party Of sixty be-
longing to the Ohio Third, which encamped Buck
,annon, along the western bank of swiftly gliding
tream OF the same name aud just opposite
artcrs which were on the east bank were detailed as
couts, and ut early hour left their camp After
wandering about in various directions until noon they
poked coffee, and taking lunch proceeded toward
}every arriving at Middle Fork, at point about
niles above this encampment They followed the course
Of tho stream this place when they discovered
traces Of the enemy They sen. several men out ahead
70 recoDnore who discovered the bridge at this point
possession Of the enemy Returning they reported the
same and me whole force advanced cautiously with the
Intention Of surprising them. The force the bridge
proved to be the advance guard Of large force Of scce
onsts known to be not less than five thousand and sup
Rosed TO be about ten thousand strong, encampcd on
che hills eight miles in advance, and the
march toward Buckhannon. Contrary to the supposition
OF our party they had--ahough they did manifestit
discovered Them and, the Ohio troops made charge
On tho bridge they were received with voey Of mus
kets from the rebels which was repeated from the ensey
WOODED mus around telling with fearful effect the de-
Sotea heads OF The scouts Their only chance Of escape
now was through the bridge up the road toward our
Rckets aha WIN desperation suited to the emergency
rushed on driving tho foe before them, who
ehrce their number woundug. we have heard since
Imrty hve, ana killing thirteen. Five Of the Ohioans
were killed and eleven wounded.
Az soon as the news Of the affair reached
ehc Michigan artillery the Celebrated and gallant Ohio
Ninth the Ohio Third and Fourth the CINCINNATI cavalry
aud force Of two hundred scouts from the Indiana
Eighth We're ordered TO push forward immediately We
Travelled all night and arrived here yesterday morning
We found some loose baggage betagiHg TO the rebels
On the bridge which they in their flight had 10 take
along with them. The bridge here is and its
sides riddled with shot The army halted here for
thinner, rather breakfast, for had marched SO fast
That II not later than eight A. NJ and
The cavalry together with squad of mount.
ed artillerymen, went on To reconnore. They
mot a body Of rebel cavalry scosss, and both
parties fred The rebels about fifty strns after
fr.iR wheeled and fed carrying along with them two
killed aud several wounded Of their number Mono os
Our party hurt ball penetrated the barrel OF the
earbne Of one, and another passed through The hat of
bnothcr side, grazing the scalp and taking lock
bf hair with it, and out through the top the
btler q r. shortly afterwards our camp was alarmed by
lhc ciul that the enemy moving or us in large
tufnagg. and ,he men assembled under arms II has
PEI tanned that they have fallen back instead
Of aG, aaeirr.
a.. roU 49, gn'~mou 677 orer the members Of ne