Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-07-31
rRo,I rnE KANAwmA.
Movement of the TrOoPs--Wise's Re
treRt--OccuPRtionO of Charleston

tons of the night, orders very unexpected
ly conveyed to the different commands to
draw rations for a two days supply, and
to be ready by FIVE o'clock tomorrow
morning to move forward upon the enemy.
Everything instantly changed from its for
mer quietude to tue widest excitement.
The boys were wild with delight At the
prospect of a forward movement. Squads
of men were here and there congregated,
the various scenes to be enacted.
Some singing with joy, music PLAYING, and
others cheering for their different COM
manders. Commodore Beltzhoover, of tue
river fleet, was busy as bee in q tar
bucket, transferring the chattles from boat
to boat, making the necessary changes for
the conveyance of the troops and stores OF
the army, as many as the boats could ac-
At day light on the morning of the oath,
tents were struck, wagons packed, and the
whole column ordered under arms. The
Eleventh Ohio had moved three miles on
the march, last evening, which placed them
in sthe advance. The line of wagons was
then moved up, followed by the artillery
under the command of Capt. Cotter; then
followed by the Tweny-frst Ohio, under
the command of Lieutenant Colonel Nj
bling, the whole covered with the First
and Second Kentucky, under Colonel En-
yart, and acting Colonel Sedgwick. The
view of this whole column in line, and on
its march, was most splendid. Everything
being in line, the column was all III mo-
ton ut eight o'clock A. NJ. The river
fleet, with six companies of the Twelfth
Ohio, under the immediate command of
Major Hines, started up the river, at
o'clock A. VI. The Economy, Commodore
Beltzhoover's flagship of the fleet, led
the van, provided with one piece OF artil-
lery, placed upon the bow to answer any
summons from the shore.
The other four companies of the Twelfth
we're with the main body of the army, I'M
der command of Lieutenant-ColonelW White.
The boats proceeding cautiously up the
river, Major Hines keeping scouts on the
river bank to prevent any surprise from
masked batteries. After proceeding about
seven miles, Major Hines came upon the
enemy strongly entrenched in a command,
ing position. Major Hines sent back word
to Colonel Lowe, who was one mile be-
hind on the boats, with three companies
of the Twelfth, to come forward and sup
port him in the attack. Colonel Lowe, not
knowing the position of the enemy, andnot
expecting to meet the enemy in position on
the right hand side of the river, did not
feel willing to risk an engagement. After
accommodating their position, Colonel
Lowe thought it advisable to fall back to q
safe position, and send word to General
Cox, on the opposite side of the river,
on the condition of things here The
orders from General Cox were to move
forward Immediately. In the mean time
the main army, under General Cox, had
pushed forward and came out upon the
Kauawha river, one mile above the enemy
on the right. At this point they found
the steamer Julia Maffett, with two fiat
boat loads of wheat in tow, destined for
the use of the enemy. Captain Cotter, of
the Artillery, soon brought one ofhis guns
to bear upon her, putting one shot and one
she'll through her hull, when the rebels
fled, setting fire to the boat as they left.
One of the rebels was left dead on the
shore. Gen. Cox then proceeding on up
the river one mile and n half to Tyler
Creek, suddenly came upon the enemy on
left, quietly cooking their evening repast,
it being then sun down. The enemy when
pcrceiving the advance of the Federal
troops, lett their supper, ready cooked,
upon the field, and fed in all directions.
The boys pursued them ashort distance,
but the enemy were so scattered, and
proved so swift of foot, they could not
overtake them. The boys returned to the
encampment and feasted on the enemy's
prepared supper, which proved n great
feast to them. The rebels had appropriated
every chicken, duck and goose, all the
eggs and butter, and every other luxury
that could be found in this section of the
country, without so much as saying, with
your leave. Here Gen. Cox encamped for
the night. The other portion of the army,
with the river fleet moved up the river at
daylight, and found that the enemy had
abandoned their position on the right, and
moved on up the river. Both divisions of
the Federal army were again connected at
Elk River, onc-fourth of mile below
Charleston. here the rebels had attempt
ed the destruction of the wire suspension
bridge across Elk River, but not having
sufficient time, succeeded in burning only
about forty feet of the flooring, without
materially damaging the wires. a large
force of men was set to work repairing the
bridge. After working all night they had
the bridge in proper condition for the
crossing of the army and train. The can
tonmcnt5 of the enemy here, were burned
down by order of Gen. Cox. There APP
pears to be quite Union sentiment here at
present. All the way from here 20 Maiden
great cheering for the Union was manifes-
ted.
July 2G.-on the evening of the 25th,
the steamer Economy, with a detachment of
men under Major Hines. was sent up the
river six miles to Maiden, to look after n
foundry at that place, said to be casting
cannon for the enemy; not finding such to
becase, she returned to Elk River. One
peace of the enemy's artillery which was
disabled ut Scarey Greek battle, was found
at n wagon shop, in Charleston, fully re-
paired, and ready for service. 1t was duly
cared for, and is now one of the Federal
attachments.
The army will commence moving at
noon. will not be able to witness their
march through Charleston, as | cannot
expose myself to the sun. l must now
ask you to overlook the confusion of this
letter, as l have been confined to my bed
with bilious attack for two days. But,
thanks to the skill and attention of DR.. N.
Litch, of Marion, Ohio, and the kind at
feDfiOns oF rOmmndOrn Rn1fzbOnrer and