Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-07-17

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[Telegraphic Correspondence Cincinnati GAIL
FIELD OF BATTLE OF CHEAT RIVER l.
CARBICK's Ford MILES SOUTH
OF ST. GEoReE, July IA.
icy ooURtER TO RowLEsBuRs.l stj
On the night of the llth, the rebel army
at Laurel Hill, under the command of Brig
adler Gen. Garnett, late Major in the United
States Army, evacuated its camp in great
haste, Immediately on learning of General
McCleIlans approach to Beverly, and retreat
cd in thatdirectiOn, apparently hoping to pass
Beverly before Gen. McClellan's arrival, and
thus escape the trap set for them by passage
through Cheat Mountain Gap al
The evacuation was discovered on the
morning Of the 18th, and pursuit instantly
ordered.
By ten O'Clock the Ninth Indiana entered
the rebel camp on Laurel Bill, and found
large number of tents, lot of -four, camp
equippage 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
sc.se1I, ana 0DSlf1elAa y lllsali lpaes % ~
lay pursuit. Ias4
The rebel army went within three miles of
Beverly, and there met the rebels flying from
Rich MOuntsig and finding an escape to Hut
louisville impossible, all united and returned
toward Laurel Hill until they reached the
Leading Greek Pike, and took that road in
the direction of st. George.
Gen. Morris army pursued them for mile
or two beyond Lsedsville 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 pas
sage, with heavy wagon trains, rendered the
road almost impossible. They were still
without tood-some for over tWenty-four
hours. .-..
Our advance, composed of the Fourteenth
Ohio, and Seventh and Ninth Indiana Regi-
nents, pushed on, guided through the noun
tain gullies by the tents, camp furniture,
provisions and knspsacks thrown from the
rebels wagons, to facilitate their fight. 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
wagons were standing, when suddenly the
rebel army opened a furious fire on them
from the bluff on the opposite side of the
river, where they had been concealed, with
small arms and two riled 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 advanced
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 fed in
great disorder, leaving their finest piece of
artillery.
At the next ford, perhaps quarter of a
mile further on, Gen. Garnett attempted to
rally his forces, when the Seventh Indiana
came up in hot pursuit. and brisk little en-
gagement ensued. Gen. Garnet was finally
shot dead, when his army fed in wild con-
fusion toward st. George.
The Seventh Indiana pursued them mile
or two further, but our forces were SO ex-
hausted with their forced march of twenty
miles to-day, with but little rest from yester-
days 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 route Of their army the capture |
Of large amount Of their tents and camp
squipagei forty of their baggage wagons;
the field camp chest, supposed to contain all
their money; tWoIegimental banners, one
Of them that of the Georgia Regiment;
Rty or more prisoners, including four Geor-
gia Captains and Lieutenants, and large
number Of Virginia officers; the death of
Brig. Gen. Garnett and twenty OF ais men,
and the wounding of a much larger number.
Our loss is wholly in the 14th Ohio Reg
iment 2 killed-Samuel Mills of Co. A, and
Henry Richeldifer ofCo. O. fatally wound
sd-John Kirighanos Of 90. A, by ball
through the chest and Daniel Mills ofCo. A,
'y four severe wounds by shell, and about
iieen others wounded but not fatally.-
Richard Henderson Of Co. O, q slight wound