Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1861-10-19
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TRoM wtsTERN VIRGINIA..
OHEAT VI OUNTAIN SUMMIT,
October A, 1861


Although intended only as Reconnaissance
in force. it resulted in u handsome achieve
inpnt. Early yesterday morning Genera
Reynolds and staff, escorted by Brncken'
cavalry, arrived 10 camp, and shortly after
an order to prepare two days ratioDs created
excitement aud cheerfuness 10 camp. The
men were confident they were TO have light
and il put them in the best o! good humor
The rebel camp is located on high, steep
elevation known as Buffalo Hill. 1t is
located at q sharp turn OF the road. and SO
situated that au attacking force had to come
directly under the guns and entreDchments
OF the right of the camp to obtain even a
view of tho left. Tie formation OF the ground
is particularly favorable for the formation OF
terraces. and the rebels had made good use OF
the advantage. Their defences rose one
above :he other, far up the bill, extending
even into the forest above tho camp. 1t was
estimated, from the number of tents, that ten
thousand men held the posts. The sole
attack contemplated was directly in from,
with artillery, the infantry to be used merely
to pi iotect the batteries.
1t was discovered that the rebels had
placed d large infantry force three.iourths of
mile in front to dispute our approach
They lay in ambush beside fence thlckened
with small trees to the right Of TIE roud, and
10 the timber on the hillside to the left. On
making this discovery, Colonel Kimball was
ordered to clear the way for the artillery with
the rugged Indiana Fourteenth. The boys
received the order with a shout, and, firing q
voley into the ambush, rushed upon il with n
wild cheer
The concealed enemy instantly took to
their heels, some rushing across the valley.
and others up the mountains on our left.
The euinnt Fourteenth, its ragged breeches
hspping in the air, started up the mountains
with a cheer, popping over the rebels at every
crack The Ninth Indiana, its colors Haunt
ing beautifully above the green gross, rushed
after those across the valley. A cheer went
ny from The whole line, as the ambushed
rebels took to fight the Hoosers in pursuit
The Fourteenth made sad work with the
rebels on the mountain. Eighteen Of them
were found dead n one pile, and seven 10
another. They also captured several prison
ers, ard took care of a few wounded. The
Seventh came near the retreating rebels on
the opposite side Of the valley, and poured a
rnking fire into them as they sought II laurel
cover. How many were killed aud wounded
there the enemy must tell, for our boys did
not search the laurel.
In less than ten minutes the rebels were
driven into their entertainments. LOOMS
immediately moved rapidly forward unlim.
bertd his pieces, aud gave an Invitation in
the shape of she'll. The enemy Immediately
rpspouded With Founders, all Of which fell
short ofour battery. In the meantime, Howe
had discovered favorable position very near
to the enemys FIRST line of Eortification, ard
bold ns lion dashed into il, with his full
battery. The first shot from his battery was
greeted by shout from our infantry.
Down with his single qua followed Howe.
md in few minutes, before, in fact, the
re;realihg rebels had fairly reached the
in,renchments, eur whole thirteen guns were
bnueing murderous shot and shell at them
The rebels responded with seven guns
Loomis now nscertainrd he could do better
execution a little closer, and took position
sonare in the valley, in full view Of the whole
OPP osirg force.
The enemy's camp was in full view. Ills
tprraced battery was bechng forth fire and
smoke Shot from our batteries were tearing
M the ground all through the encampmeht
aud shells were scattering destruction and
insurng death
There was no cessation OF the internal roar
Of the artillery Sometimes half a dozen of
our pieces would send forth simultaneous
roar. making the earth trembp, and the
return fire seemed spiieful, as it whizzAd the
shot mostly over our heads. For thirty i've
minutes every gun on our side was worked
without cessation. Now shell would 90
ringing through the air. making n beautiful
curve. and dropping just on the spot intended,
burst. and destroyed everything for yards
around or all the Internal inventions Of
war, 1t is these shells. They tear men and
horses to tatters in an Instant, as they fall
whzzing among them.
Aud, as You hear their musical hiss coming
, al, - -,
will try to dodge the screeching dev. With
the she'll few the round shot into the enemy's
ramp, and all about our batteries. With u
whack they would strike ihe earih and bore
themselves into the earth like iron moles
operated ny steam
Such was the distnst view OF the picture
a little in advance If me, md op ii line with
cur batteries, standing on knoll, was the
General his countenance culm and indicative
Of satisfaction at the result
Around him, 10 the saddle, were his aids,
ore or more Of whom were constantly dashng
over the field to convey his ordars. He was
so near the enemy's camp that he could
observe their movements with the naked eye.
Several shells fell near him but did not in the
least disturb his composnre.
TO my rear were the ambulances, with the
surgeons, distinguished by green sashes,
waiting to perform their DUTY. Some were
very careful to remain out Of harms wsy,
while Others braved danger to search for the
wounded.
The ambuances were not long idle. First
came man carried on a blanket, writhing
with pain. He had received shot in his
stomach. Next, another who had lost on
arm, aud was fainting from loss of blood.
Then came three or four slightly wounded,
leaning 90 the shoulders of their comrades.
Not far from me, in little ravine, lay three
rabels, one dead, another dying, and third
slightly wounded The latter was placed
10 an ambulance, and carried to our hospital.
FROM FORTRESS MONROE.
FoRTREss MONROE, Oct. II.
boat has just arrived from the gun, boat
Daylight, stationed at Cape Henry, bringing
the following items Of intelligence -
IL appears that yesterday, during the heavy
blow, The ship John Clark, which put into
the Lower Roads for a harbor, dragged her
anchor and drifted into Lynn Haven bay
The Rebels, who have battery at tha,