Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-06-06
FROM GRAETON..
oftho Fight At Philllppl'
Especial correspondence 9th. 1utelllEonesr.l

GRA1ToH, MONDAY N1eaT, June Sd.
The excitement has been intense here
all day, about the action at Phillippi, Of
which you are already apprised by, tele-
graph. Ever since about ll5O'clock this
morning persons have been coming in from
the scene of action, and at each new arri-
val eager crowds would gather around to-
hear the latest version of the fight. Ev-
Iery one tells the story little different,
and it is e1ceedIngly difficult at this time
to get an absolutely accurate Raccouut Of
the affair. Mr.. Burdett came in from
Phillippi this evening, aud from him aud
Others / have cleaned a tolernbly clear
statement
Yesterday morning at ten o'clock 4. Reg
Iiments left hers, in two divisions. OLe
consisting Of the LIST Virginia Regiment,
part of the Ohio 10th, and the Indiana Tth,
under command Of Col. Kelley; the other
the Indiana 9Th and the Ohio l4th, COM
manded by Col. Lander, of Indian 6ghting,
Iwagou.road, aud Potter aud Pryor duel
notoriety. Col. Eelley's division moved
east, by railroad, to. Thornton, small way
station, 8 miles distant from here. Thence
Itbey marched to PhilliPpj, a distance Of 90
miles. The Indiana Regiment moved out
Et6o- N. W.sva. R. r. to Webster, where
ltbey were joined by the Ohio l4th, from
whish' place they pushed: forward on foot
to Phillippi, l2 miles diStants =T
I The march OF the two, divisions was
performed last night through darknessS
! rain and mud. 1t was q terrible underta-
King, but they.all went brarely through it
unshrinkiugly and without complatpt,-
Allnight they toiled ON through the: dark-
ness add storm, the soft ear b yielding be-
meath their feet tilt the grey dawn found
them in the neighbOrhOOd Ut the enemy.
Col. Lander reports that as they neared
t Phillippi they were discovered by q wO-
man, who fred at him twice, and who sent
4 her little boy across the hills Gas he after
wards found) to apprise the enemy of their
approIch.1 He arrived on the hill across
the river from, and below, Phillippi, and
commanding the town and the encamp-
ment Ciust below the town. little before
daylight this morning. They at once
planted two pieces of Artillery on the
brow of the hill, just above the camp, aud
prepared to open on them when the time
arrived. 4 o'clock was the hour at which
tue attack was TO be made simultaneously
| by both divisions. Col. Kelly was to at.
\ tack them in the rear and cut of their re-
treat, while Col. Lander would assault
them in front. But Col. Kelly's division
WAS behind the appointed hour, owing to
the terrible fatigues of their forced march
OF 20 miles; aud in addition to this they
missed their point, and instead of coming
in on the Beverly road. above Phillippi,
and efectunlly cutting of oil retreat, they
came in, when they did come, just below
the town.
When the day began to dawn upon the
impatient forces of Col. Lander, it discov-
cred to them the camp below in state of
commotiOn, evidently in great alarm aud
preparing for flight. The hour appointed
for the attack came and passed, but still
Col Kelly's division had not arrived. In
patient to begin the attack, and fearful that
the rascalS, almost within his grasp, should
escape without smelling powder, Col. Lam
der ordered the artillery to begin the at
tack, and at a quarter past four the guns
we're unlimbered and dropped the first mes
sengers of terror into the rebel camp, less
than quarter of mile away. Simulta-
neously with the roar of the first gun, Col.
Kelly, at the head of his C0mmaud, came IN
sight across the river below the camp, and
comprehending the position of affairs, they
rushed forward at once in the direction of
the camp. Meanwhile the battery having,
after the irst shot or two, got an accurate
range, played upon the camp with marked
effect, tearing through tents and houses at
fearful rate. This the rhivalry couldn't
stand. and they scattered like rats from
buring barn. They had no time to retreat
StO nFFlaVs FNkASy aSN1lk S-,I1
they ran, fled most inglOriously-ran
like sheep in every direction that promised
safety, after iringH random aud scattering
vOlley which did no damage Whatever
Col. Kelly'S command was close after, the
Virginia troops in advance, the Henry CLAY
Guards in front and Col. Kelly and Capt.
F0rdyre leading. At the same time Col.
Lander's force came rushing down the hill
to the bridge, and they ali put out after
the fugitires yelling like Indians.
| Butith legs of the fugitive chivalry serv-
ed them too we'll and they could not be
| OVertakeu by our already exhausted men.
~ho, after chasing them a couple of miles,
returned TO the evacuated camp, TO learn
the painful fact that their victory, though
complete, was dearly, too denrly, bought.
| Col. Kelley, who, with bravery amount
Ing to rHshness, was foremost from tirst-to
last, was rallying his men in the upper
part of the town, the enemy. having all
apparently aed, when-he felicity aishot
from foe concealed either behind fence
for in honse: some say the assailant fred
from behind wagon; others that Col.
Kelley was pressing him hard with a view
OF capturing him when he wheeled aud
hred. This Is not su6stautiated, At anv
rate. the shot WAS cred after the epRaec-
mept was over, apd was just such q piece
Of assassination as that by which fell ths
loved and lamented Ellsworth. Theassns-
sin was an assistant qIartermaster in the
COntederHte force. His name is Simms.
and he halls from Chesterfield, across the
river from Richmond. He WAS immeti.
a!giy seized, and it is great wonder they