Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1861-11-13
Late from the Kanawha.

The Government transport steamer Le-
Onora arrived at Cincinnati from Kanawha
the night of the 9Th She left the steam
boat landing, five miles below the mouth
of Gauley river, at o'clock Tuesday morn
ing, and the Commercial obtained from her
clerk, G. L. Tyler, full and Ineligible
statement Of affairs at Gauley, as follows !:
/ The rebels were still holding their posi-
tiOn on the west side of New and Kanawha
rivers, having three batteries Of two guus
each, one opposite Gen. Resecrans head
( quarters at TOmpkin's farm, five miles above
Gauley; one opposite the mouth of Gauley,
and one opposite to Kanawha Falls, a mile
and half above Gauley-the latter the
closest and most dangerous. BY these bat
teries they command the road over which
our supply trains must pass to the Falls to
near Gen. Rosecaans' headquarters, dis
tance of six miles. and the trains have
been ordered to move only in the night
On Monday the rebels were firing at every
moving object on our side of the river. but
with very little effect. They succeeded in
the mOruihg in wounding two of our men
and several horses, with shells. On the
afternoon of that day the fire slackened,
as they probably discovered the result of
their firing did not justify the expenditure.
Our guns were replying, and had silenccd
the battery opposite the mouth of Gauley.
4 battery Of ten Parrot 10 Founders, and
a large supply of ordinance stores had just
been received by Gen. Rosccrans, and they
would be got into position Tuesday night,
to respond to the rebel battery bearing on
the karawha Falls. Confidence was felt
that they would soon silence that concern.
Gen. Benham, with his brigade, was two
miles below the steamboat landing, or sew
en- miles from Gauley On Monday, the
main body of his army was on the eastern
side of the river. and our pickets on the
western side. Sunday night the Leonora
was ordered to hold herself in readiness to
receive the pickets if they were driven in
by the enemy. She was also ordered to be
ready to serve Gen. Benham. but was re-
lieved by the Silver Lake Thursday morn
ing very few troops of Benham's brigade
were seen at his camp on the right bank
of the river at that point.
1t was believed that Benham' troops had
crossed the river in the night, and were
aiming to gain the rear of the rebels. This
was not definitely ascertained, however,
The troops bad been ordered to prepare
four days Tations. circumstance indicat-
ing purpose to attack the rebels. The
was current that a decisive bat
tic would be fought on Wednesday. The
The rebels manifested no disposition to re.
tire, but are remarkably confident. Some
were of the opinion that they had gathered
in great force, and had set q trap for Rose
Grams, having opened fire OF his supply
trains for the purpose of inducing him to
e.oss the river 1t would surprise us if
it should turn out that the rebels are very
strong, for the country in which they are
posted is not capable of sustaining large
army, and their lines of communication are
such that transportation would be exceed
ngly difficult. The Southern papers of
couple of weeks age, announced the army
badly provided with transportation, and
zen. Lee and his men sulIeIing severely
or want Of food
The elevation opposite the mouth Of ]
iauley Is called Cotton hill, and is eonsid- |
:rably higher than the land on our side !
Why such position was not occupied and a
orti6ed by our forces, now seems to an un- c
military person. at this distance, to have 1
,cen Serious oversight, but we presume,
he officers in command know what they
ire about.