Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-07-16

THE BATTLE OF RICH xoUNrAN-ACcoUNr
BY AN EYE WITNESSING HUNDRED AND
FIFTY vIRGINIANS HOLD THREE THOUSAND
IN CHECK AND KILL FOUR RUNDRED--OUR
LOSS HEAVY, INCLUDING CAPTAINS IRVING,
CURRY, ANDERSON AND OTHERS-C0L. Pc
GRAN TAKEN PRISONER-THE RETREAT OF
OUR GALLANT LITTLE BAND.
RICHMOND, JAY 18th, 1861.
To tie Editor of The Fhig:
Il is a sad pleasure communicate to you state Of
affairs 10 North Virginia that at FIRST sight may
appear disastrous, but which upon closer examination
sheds many ray Of satisfaction and encouragement to
our future eareer-satisfacton that our late success
has los. to our State that portion which should never
have been defende and encouragement from the fact
that gallant boys fight with much against
thousand odds.
Camp Garnett is situated in gorge just beyond the
pass that runs between Rich and another mountain
The low slope of this latter mountain retreats from the
camp and consequently does not command it but the
more perpendicular slope Of Rich mountain is adjacent
to the position, and upon it there is emnence that is
considered the very key TO camp Garnet. On Tuesday
lls Col Pegram, knowing the importance Of this point
detached three companies buckingham Lee Guard,
ROckbrdge Guard, and Pryor RAes) and one gun from
the Lynchburg Artillery, to secure the position at all
hazaIds They gained the height and about ten O'Clock
had built the breastvork to the height Of two logs;
meanwhile, the enemy, guided by tie Union noun
taueers had by squads and companies reached point
beyond the breast works and little elevated In
mediately they commenced attack upon upfnish-
ed breAsiwork from the distance Of fifteen hundred
yards They advanced and fred with minnie rifles in
cessanty. No execution however done with these
arms Our loss shorter distances from the deadly
FIRE Of our BROTHER yIRGNrASs. Approaching within
Ave hundred yards they began to feel the fatal shots
from our boys At this and shorter distances they
moved down Ike wheat before the blade At every vol
ley from Us they fell back in confusion but their
vhelang numbers pressed forward until they discharged
their pieces in very faces; then we thought retreat
better than foOhardy DEATH and each one sought safety
ia fight down the other side Of the mountain
Exrhe whole force Of the enemy said to have been
eight thousand Three thousand advanced to the at
tacs While the rest held in reserve Part Of the
serve occupied Rich Mountain while part descended that
mountain crossed the pass and occupied the side OF the
other mountain not far from the road-thus being on
both aides Of the road in order, suppose to cut Gu
Col Pegram if he should attempt retreat to Beverly
Our whole force in the engagement about two hun
dred and fAy We held tho enemy in check with this
little handful for an hour and half LeOndAs with his
three hundred Sparians could have done no more Our
Oss was considering all tie circumstances comparative
" small sixty will cover the whole. Tbs buckingham
Lee Guard suffered most severely, having thirty men,
together with Capt Irving and Lieutenant Boyd killed
Capt Carry of the Rcekbrdge Guard and Capt Andsr-
cons of the Lyrehburg Artillery, were also among the
killed. -Four hundred Of the enemy found meri;ed
doom IN death.
The battle began at halpast and ended az three
At sunsst report says that Col p led six companies out
from bis camp up Rich mountain 70 retake his position