Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1861-10-03


They were fine looking fellows,
and did not appear to be at all dis
satisfied with their situation as
prisoners. This was our first, our
Ibsoodless victory.
Weagain pushed forward--wentl
about half mile when we again
came upon four more of their pick
cts, who were not so ready to give
themselves up as the FIRST. Two
Of them broke at full speed down
the valley but a shot from the
nlusket in the hands of oneef our
men and a bail from the rife of
Jour guide brought them down
! They paid dearly for their folly.
The others gave themselves up.
Again we advanced and again we.
came upon their plckets, taking
them prisoners, securing their guns,
&c.
We finally came upon whole
company from the 9th Regiment
of Chic, who were quartered in 9
house, from which they had .driv-
en- the family. We took them
completely by surprise and they
surrendered without the firing OF
"a gun. Two of the company were
up the side Ct tie mountain who
ran at the top Of their speed but
"a couple of shots brought them
ptoo; they could not escape the un-
jerring aim Of cur boys, We got
:jfronl them some very fine swords,
!. their guns, &c. &c. The captain
! had a beautiful sword indeed, a
present from the citizens Of Gin
! cinnati to him for .'his noble efforts
in defense of the Union" lie was
a very intelligent man, said his
:; men were all sworn into service
for 8 years, but that the war was
Nan unnatural one, and could not
last a great wlsiie. We hid their
! guns securely I've were too much
wearied to carry them with us)
and formed again into line. The
0. S. Of the Yankees being request
cd SO to do, paradcd his company
, in good order. We now left the
: little creek (Stewart's) and took q
} blind path across the mountain tc
take our position in the rear of the
enemy's Publications. We had
killed four and taken fifty prison.
ers, and felt proad Of our days
!: work. We yet had 3 miles to tray
ell before we reached the point des-
ignated. The rain began to de-
scend III torrents, and it was nearly
night. We reached it at last near
! ly exhausted. We could see from
the top of the mountain the tents,
camp-iires, ETC., Of the enemy in
the valley below. | and many 9th
ers supposed the object Of our Cen
eral was to surround them, 1--WE did
not then know twas their strong
est fortifcations) surprise, and roht
;. them, and take possession of their
comfortable tents, their provisions,
etc, both of Which were desirable
objects, as we had not eaten any
(, thing of consequence for 4S hours,
and there was cool chilling rain
1klling. We were badly mistaken,
however. After marching down
the hollow in the direction Of their
camps, we halted. Our guide dis
covered that we were within gum
shot Of the most strongly fortified
place in Western Virginia, which
was guarded by from 5000 to TO-
600 choice troops. This fact being
reported to Gen. Donelson, be or
dered us to ascend the mountain as
noiselessly as possible.
We could have been surrounded,
cut of, butchsretl. or mi4e prisoners
Of (you should bear III mind tba. our
I urce did not exceed 400 aud all
our guns wta\ b, mn alert foe, but
Providence again in'eIposed in our
behalf, by sending torrents Of rain,,
making hideous hy.'he bowling winds
and rs black as Ersfus. We re-
gained the top without causing any
alarm. Here we speat the night
more disagreeably than | c'n de-
scribe. LIT the curtain fall iii
mourning. AT daylight next morn
Ing, we were ordered 10 FILL back for
several miles (Gen. Lie came to
rs daring the night and Informed
MS that the other commands had
failed TO come to time.
We started the 'left IN front
(Col. Sayages Regiment was the
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