The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-26
Correspondence of the Cincinnati Gszette.
FIELD OF BATTLE OF CHEAT RIVER,
CARRICK's FORT, 8 MILES SOUTH

On the night of the 18th, the rebel army
at Laurel Hill, under the command of Brig.
adler General Garrett, late Major in the
United States Army, evacuated its camp 10
great haste, Immediately on learning of Gen.
McClean's approach to Beverly, and re-
treated in that direction, apparently hoping
to pass Beverly before Gen. McClellan's ar
rival, and thus escape the trap set for them
by passage through Cheat Mountain Gap.
The evacuation was discovered on the
morning of the 18th, and pursuit instantly
ordered.
By 10 o'clock the Ninth Indiana entered
the rebel camp on Laurel Hill, and found a
large number of tents, lot of flour, camp
equipage and clothing, and dozen of their
sick and wounded, with note asking US to
give them proper attention.
The whole road, for over twenty miles,
was strewn with the baggage thrown from
their wagons, to tighten the loads and hasten
their retreat, and obstructed by fallen trees
to delay pursuit.
The rebel army went within three miles
of Beverly, and there met the rebels flying
from Rich Mountain; and finding an escape
to Huttonsville impossible, all united and
returned to Laurel Hill until they reached
the Leading Greek Pike, and took the road
in the direction of st. George.
Gen. Morris's army pursued them for a
mile or two beyond LeedsvlIe that night,
and halted from eleven o'clock till three this
morning, when the advance resumed the
pursuit, and continued it all day, in spite of
the incessant rain pouring down. On the
route of the rebel army, the latter left the
pike, struck Cheat river, and pursued the
mountain road down the valley. Their
passage with heavy wagon trains rendered
the road almost impossible. They were
still without food--some for over twenty
four hours.
Our advance, composed of the Fourteenth
Ohio, Seventh and Ninth Indiana Regi-
ments, pushed on, guided through the noun,
tain gullies by the tents, camp furniture,
provisions and knapsacks thrown from the
rebels wagons to facilitate their flight. We
forded Cheat river four times, and finally,
about one o'clock, came up with the enemy's
rear guard and wagons. The Fourteenth
Ohio advanced rapidly to the ford, in which
the wagons were standing, when suddenly
the rebel army opened furious fire upon
them from the bluff on the opposite side of
the river, where they had been concealed,
with small arms and two rided cannon.
Fortunately, most of their firing was a
little too high. The Fourteenth returned
it with spirit. Meanwhile, two pieces of
the Cleveland Artillery came up and opened
on the rebels, and the Ninth Indiana ad.
vanced to support the Fourteenth Ohio's
left, while the Seventh Indiana marched
down the river between the two fires and
came in on the rebels right flank.
The rebels then fled in great disorder,
leaving their finest pieces of artillery.
At the next ford, perhaps quarter of
mile further on, Gen. Garrett attempted to
rally bis forces, when the Seventh Indiana
came up in hot pursuit, and another brisk
little engagement ensued. Gen. Garrett
was finally shot dead, when his army fled in
wild confusion toward st. George.
The Seventh Indiana pursued them
mile or two further, but our forces were so
exhausted with their forced march of twen-
ty miles to day, with but little rest from
yesterdays march, that Gen. Morris refused
to let them pursue further.
The results of the whole affair are the
capture of the rebel camp at Laurel Hill !;
the total rout of their army the capture of
a large amount of their tents and camp
equipage forty of their baggage wagons !;
the field camp chest, supposed to contain all
their money; two regimental banners, one
of them that of the Georgia regiment; fifty
or more prisoners, including four Georgia
Captains and Lieutenauts, and large mum,
Der of Virginia officers the death of Brig.
adler General Garnet and twenty of his
men, and the wounding of a much larger
number.
Our loss is wholly in the 18th Ohio regi-
ment, two killed-Samuel Mills, of Com
pany A, and Henry Rlheldider, of Com
pany G two fatally wounded-John Kir-
ighanos, of Company A, by ball through
the chest, and Daniel Mills, of Company A,
by four severe wounds by shell, and about
fifteen others wounded, but not fatally.
Others were more or less seriously hurt, but
were. too eager to fight to remain in the
hospital after dressing their wounds, and
hence l cannot give their names. Our
forces are now engaged in burying their
dead. General Garnett is lying at head
quarters. His body is to be sent to his
family at Richmond. Garnett's army at
Laurel Hill numbered about 5000. 1t was
increased by the rebels routed from Rich
Mountain, and diminished by the numer-
Gus assertions. Along the line Of retreat
the woods are filled with deserted
rebels, and our men are ordered to stop ar
resting prisoners, because we can't take care
of them. Three times as many as we hold
would have been taken but for this. There
must have been over 1000 rebels on the
bluff commanding our position, who opened
fire on the Fourteenth Ohio, and the dis
lance was little over two hundred yards.
Their artillery was rapidly served, bat
aimed about two feet too high, cutting off
trees at that distance above the heads OF our
boys. Some of their shells burst near our
ranks, doing considerable damage. Our
advance, which alone entered the engage.
ment, numbered hardly 1000.
Coming through the field of battle of
Cheat river, yesterday, with Major Gordon,