Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-10-08
For the Enquirer.
Ihe Retreat from DoswOod Gap.

he Netreat lFOW HWOOQ SAps
When we have left the Dogwood GapitSclfwith
Carnifax Ferry in our possession, u very strong
position, the next and perhaps only strong po-
sition east of Lewisburg is the Scwell Noun.
tain, the strongest position in the central west.
1t can be held by 1000 men against 10000
with ease, and the strong point, now Camp De-
fiance is now about II miles west Of Meadow
River. The Sewell Mountains is physically
vastly stronger than the mouth of Gaulcy Riv
er, or the Dogwood Gap, because Of the i'm.
possibility Of tianking OF getting in onr rear
under any probable state of things; thing
very practicable both as to the mouth Of Gauley
and the Dogwood Gap. Some persons might
suppose an enemy would approach by way Of
the wilderness road. Such an undertaking
would be hazardous in the extrelne, and
so difficult as scarcely to arouse serious
apprehension. Tho road is miserable and
could be easily made impossible. But the
Sewell mountain is morally strong position.
For there ends the traitor sentiment Of the
Central west 1t is the mordt ridge between
the yankee and Virginia elements in our
social system. On this side no traitors are to
be found, hardy enough to betray our move
ments; on that every third man perhaps is a
traitor and active IN his treason, which is NJ
the last impo-.2:<.c To our army there Our
movements then Oh this side are scaled book
to the enemy, both from this Cause and from
the fact that their glasses, owing 10 the pecu-
liar topography of the range can avail them
nothing Had Ee abandoned that point, given
np the Wild, rugged, dark, intricate, unknown
Sewel, whichwould have been the case had Gen.
Wise fallen back to Meadow Bluff, our forces,
our movements, &C., would have hcen
plainly visible 10 the cnemy's glasses,
and other mrans of information easy
10 them But the Scwell Mountain has (rw
by. paths, and they are now in our complete
possession, by the position taken by General
Wise. Hence. if we achieve Il victory there
il will be due in no small degree to the deter
mined stand taken by Gen Wise at h.; Camp
Defiance. General Lee whose ability no man
doubts, upon viewing the two postiuns, Camp
Defiance and Meadow River, sustained the
iorurr. General Wise, let me say, ia taking
that position and making his selection, was
governed solely by his own judgment lie
selected the position unalded and nnadvised,
and in doing So shovel the true military
genius, as he did on another OCCASION, when
ne Was very 10th to 60 from the Hawks
Nest 10 the battle at CarnifaX Ferry, and
thus leave the whole baggage and prov.
sion train in the easy grasp OF the en-
envy at Gauley by short march, and our
rear in their absolute control, and consequent
ly our troops to that sort of despair, which al
ways urcrshadows all army CONSCIOUS that
their supplies are cut off by an enemy i'll their
rear The view Of the country herein referred
to- and the knowledge Of the necessities and
their status OF oar army i'll the West, will
more than confirm all have stated
SEwELl.
p. S.-;)ur movements at the Degwuud Gap
Of whatever character, and 50 Of every point
to the mouth oil Gaulcy, if OF any maSnltud"
were constantly and speedily made kno@n TO
the enemy. They observed them with their
glasses, and traitors around we're their con.
stanl messengers They knew on retreat
from Dogwood Gap in less thar an hour, and
their actions proved it, :.