Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-11-19
THE FIGHT AT PIKESVILLE.
Col. Williams, Command.
SOUTHERN REP6RT.
From the Richmond Dispatch.
TAzEwELL COURTHOUSE, Va,
Nnremhar IL 1851

TAZEwELL CoURTHoUsE, VA,
November IL, 1861.
VS. have just learned, through our des-
patch bearer, M L. Comann, some very ex-
citing and interesting news from the Sandy
country. You sre aware that our forces in
that section we're under the command Of
Col. John Williams, and that he had evacu-
sted Prestonsburg and taken q stand some
few miles this side. This Information l
communicated to you in my last epistle.)
On last Thursday, the 7th. our forces fell
back from their position 10 place called
Gauley Bridge, new name recently given
to little creek or rayins called Marrow
bone, some 16 miles from Pikeyille, the
county seat Of Pike county. At this point,
Q little deep stream empties int the Louisa
Fork of Sandy A bridge of some length
crosses this stream. Here our forces deter
mined to give the enemy chance TO show
their bravery. But before they advanced
very far, our men fell back to Pikeville.
On arriving at Pikeville, Colonel Williams
ordered Captain May, and some other Cap
tain Mr.. c. fails to recollect his name
with some 400 men, to return and give them
battle at the place named. This they did,
and all honor to Captain May he did it well;
the whole force being under his command
by general consent. On Friday last, the oth.
and at about o'clock Capt. May let loose
upon them from the adjoining heights. The
fight lasted some two hours and d half, and
the result of which truly christened the name
of the place Gauley. The enemy's loss is
reported to be 900 killed, and large num-
Der wounded, while our loss WAS only
killed, and some 10 or - wounded. The
enemy's force engaged is said to be some
$500 strong. Their artillery was let loose
upon our forces, but, as heretofore, IL huFt
no one.
On the came day, another ijttie fight took
place, some Il miles from fiseville, on
Johns Creek. Here the eI NY were en-
deayoring to make their WAY IL, . the rear
of Col. Williams, in order to cut of his sup
plies, and the artillery supposed ~ be on its
way TO Col. w. Our force here numbered
some 200, under command of Capt. II. Har-
his. The enemy numbered some l 500 or
1000. We were repulsed, with the loss OF
some or 3. The Captain reports the
enemy's loss at from 10 to 12-among tho
number the vile traitor of that county, Aaron
Fulkersoh.
A sharp skirmish was also had on the same
day at the mouth of Cole, some or miles
below, where Captain Harris attacked the
party referred to. Our force all fell back to
Pikeyille, and early on Saturday morning
took up their line of march for the Pound
Gap In Wise county, Virginia, some sixty
miles from Abingdon, leaving the main road
from this place TO the State line open to the
enemy. Since their occupation of Pikevtlle,
they e, 000) have advanced to within two
| and q half miles of our State line.
The excitement here is great. The militia
of Buchanan turned out on the Sabbath,
and commenced blockading the road, some
eighteen miles below their county seat.
Runners from there reached here this morn
| ing calling for help. We have every reason
to believe that our gallant Brigadier Gene
raj, Rees 7. Bowen, will have his entire
Brigade upon the line of march for the scene
of conflict in few days.