St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1861-08-01
T9e gntelligenter,
" Westward the course of empire takes It's way"
A. Ii. +. nILDRETu, Editor.
St. Charles City, Iowa, August |, 1861.
THE BATTLE OF CHEAT RIVER.
CAMP DuNoNT, Tucker Co, Va, |
l. :


At last we emerged from the Laurel
Mountains, and came out on the Cheat
River, at Callers Ford, about twelve
miles due south of st. George. 1t
was then noon. Our advance consist
ed of the Ohio l4th, Col Stccdman,
$50; Col. Milroy's 9th Indiana, 500 :;
Dumont's 7th Indiana, $50, and two
pieces of artillery with 40 men-the
total being lS40. The reserve was
an hour or more behind their march
being doubly wearisome because of
the necessary delay, and the roads
made worse by those who had preced-
cd them.
The boys were glad to plunge into
the ford as the swift flowing water of
the main Cheat purged them of the
heavy loads of mud with which most
were plastered to the Wristbands.
Emerging from the ford, our advance
came in sight of the rear of the fugi-
tive army at the second ford below,
where their baggage train was at rest
and their infantry drawn up to protect
it. The advance regiment halted till
Dumont's and the artillery came up to
their support, when the unlucky firing
of a gun by one of our men set the
whole body in motion.
The chase now became highly eX-
citing. They pitched the rest Of their
camp equippagc into the bushes the
officers threw their trunks containing
their personal effects into the gullics
and ravincs, and the privates gave up
their blankets, knapsacks and canteens
to the necessity of fighting or retreat
ing, and they preferred the latter
Our advance pushed them so hard
that they formed in line, and COM
menccd scattering fire, when our ar
tillery opened on them, and they re-
ncwcd their stampede. This stand,
however, had given their baggage
train time to get under way. The pur-
suit was kept up for three miles.
Within mile of the next ford the
mountains recede on both sides from
the river. The most of this compara-
lively level bottom land is comprised
in the farm of Mr.. James Corrick, and
the fords are known by his name. In
crossing the first of these fords to the
right side of the river--as we were
advancing, one of their wagons mired,
and those in the rear had to halt until
it could be relieved The rebels mean
time drew up in line on the opposite
side in an oat field, and were conceal
ed by rail fence and the trees and
bushes fringing that bank of the riv-
er. The bluff is from so to so feet
higher than the land on the opposite
side, down which the Ohio l4th was
advancing with Capt. Mow's compa-
ny as skirmishers. AS they pressed
on towards the ford, the teamsters
cried out-"D shoot don't ! we
are going to surrender I" The Cap.
tain then called to the Colonel
Come on Col. Stcedman, they are
coming to surrender" and the rcgi-
ment was ordered to advance at
double.quick. As he came up oppo-
site the bank where the rebels were
drawn up Gen. Garnctt cried, "Three
cheers for JEFF. Davis" and that instant
the whole line was blaze of light, as
they opened destructive fire Oh the
l4th. The men came to an instant
halt, and returned the compliment
without change of position, and then
advanced nearer the river taking posi-
ton behind a worn out fence. The
rebel battery then opened fire and Bar
nctt's artillery was ordered up. The
action then became general. Milroy's
regiment came up to Steedman's sup
port, but were compelled to deliver an
oblique fire. Capt. Benham ordered
Dumont's six companies down the riv-
CT to the ford, under cover Of the
hight on the other side, and protected
by the fire from Steedman's and Mil
roy's regiments, to take them in front
at the road. The Colonel executed
this order in gallant style. His line
instantly formed and marched down
the bed of the river, where the
water was frequently waist deep
and the moment the head of the col
umn appeared the rebels ceased firing
along their entire line, and stampedeG
through a wheat field to the SECOND
ford, the officers vainly trying to rally
them.
Gen. Garnett was the last to cross
the ford, which he did on foot, ant
stood by the river shore, waving his
handkerchief and calling them to com,
back and dispute the passage of the
ford. Major Gordon, of the Unitec
States army, at this moment appeared
on the opposite side, which the rebels
had just left and seeing them huddleC
in the road, called to the advance o
Dumont's command which was rushing
along like whirlwind, to come on
Gen. Garnett directed the attention 0
his panic stricken rear to the Major
and a volley of bullets fell thick al
hail around him, many lodging in th'
sycamore stump on which he wa
standing. The Major at the SAM
time saw Garnett, and pointing hin
out to a squad of Capt. Ferry's com
pany, Sergeant Burlingame drew dc
lberate sight on the General, an,
, fired. He was seen to throw up hi
hands and fall back ON the sand
At the same instant almost the onl