Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-12-05
From the Lynchburg Republican.
News FROM Gen. EsOyd's CCynnsand.

News From, Gen. Fsoyd's Command.
CAMP MERCER, Nov. "a, 1861.
Dear Republican: Since march to- and retreat
from, Cotton Hill, have many false statements
in the papers concerning Floyds Brigade, that have
deemed 1t not inappropriate for me to give you, IN
few words possible, true statement Of affairs. We
marched towards Cotton Hill, as you aware, about
the 18th of October. We engaged the enemy at Mil
lers Ferry on the 2lst. We lost not man killed ;
whilst we know he lost goodiy number. We remain
ed on Cotton Hill for several weeks. annoying him in
cessautly. He apparently cid not know with whom he
was dealing. He seemed to think that it was only
few militia. lie paid but little attention until the
first of November. Then he mace to open his
eyes We opened all of cur artillery upon the camps
ferries wagon trains &c. Ills horses al wagons sui
tered considerably, COULD plainly with the
ked eye and sharpshOOers killed not few Of his
darling hirengs. He broke up his camps and dispers
| ed them generally. He had managed to get II
! pound rihed gun On the top OF an apparently mac
cessble hll-yOu may imagine what hill it vas,
when tell you the piece had to be dism0unte1 and
red by hand to its position. This the enemy did not
understand. We fired on him several days and then
took it away He seut three companies over TO take
the rfed gun. They came over, assembled the hi and
took possession OF it, but to their great surprise they
| found no gun there-not even there. 1t being
well nigh night they determined to hold the hill They
put their pickets and took position the of
! the ridge. Fifty of our men were ordered out and
placed under the command of N or g. Il. 1hornburne
|
ceeded 10 routing the whole Yankee force, which,
cording to their acknowledgement, numbered six
times his force, Their Colonel de Villers) who esca-
ped from Richmond having broken bis parole fed pre-
cipitaeiy down the bill, leaving his cap behind him
Oar gallant Major, after driving them from their posi-
ton, held the hill ard awaited an attack from them
But it ascertaned that the cracking Of the
bushes caused not by their advance but by their
fight: They made time which, far as can learn, is
unprecedented They barked the trees broke away all
| he Ian nd md i,iI We know nj
them split themselves against sapinsfor it very
dark. Such a deserves notice. When look
at the great odds against and the Importance OF the
position from which the Vandas driven without
loss side, whilst they lost three killed, several
wounded, and six eight prisoners, it is small affair
nd much credit cannot be awarded to the gallant
Major in command. Few officers could have acted with
more GOODNESS and deliberation than did Major G. E
Thorburn. The next day the whole Yankee camp
seemed disturbed. De Viers had no doubt told them
that Floyd there. 1t not long before heard
that the Yankees had crossed in large force and
advancing. We went out OF breastworks to meet
them. We met at Laurel creek, where for more thar
FIVE hours, exchanging salutations. We LOST
two killed. and several wounded and darkness compelled
both sides to withdraw. They suffered greatly We
were in the bushes. We withdrew and retired to ou
breastworks but they would not al tack then. Yan
kee lke) In few moments after had gotten bach
to camp Gen. Floyd received despatch stating tba
the Yankees were coming up Loup creek, which wou(
bring them directly IN our rear 1t was then dark =
But our General knew how to out-genera RosencraDz
He started off with his whole command to get beyont
the road so that he Rosencraaz could not get hehnc
him. He did so-saving first OF all. bis sick, and theI
his baggage. A few tents we're lost.
That MIC ht during the retreat, Benum, with 7,0O(
men, within two miles of US, whilst that large orc
was approaching US in front We passed Fayett
Court House in the quiet OF the night, and in two hour
after we passed through the two Yankee columns me
there expecting to have the traitor Floyd as they tern
lu ;of
ed. understand Benum and old Rose are about t.
have fight about it. You see, Rosencranz had actu
ally te!egraphed that within few hours he would have
the traitor Floyd prisoner I wo mornings afterwards
Colonel Croghan, gallant officer, was off on scout
ing expedition with some OF the Georgia cavalry wheI
a BODY of Yankees, their advanced guard) fred int
them, MORALLY woundiDg him. He then taken tt
house the load side, where he insisted upon bens
left. He lived but short time, but died as he had al
ways lived, brave and patriotic man. A Yankee O!
fcer to his bedside and expressed some sympathy
for him. when be raised his head and noby aid that
wanted none of his sympathy, that he willing
suffer and die for his beloved country As officer
he was respected and loved gentleman, he won th
= affections of all who knew BIN. Young man, follow
his example and your country will NOUN your loss
Few officers there whose loss is universally fell
Peace to the ashes of the gallant Coghan.
Soon after he was shot the Yankees advanced and al
tackled our rear guard viz the Forty fifth, Feth
e Fifty-frst Regiments They attacked the left wing
0 which was commanded by Colonel Wharton He wa
in the hottest of the fire at all times keeping his me
cool by his very presence He kept the Yankees bac
until the baggage and sick were all safely out
+ their reach, and then fell back outnun
bered We lost only two killed here and several wounc
3D. They had no less than 1000 men, for it has bee
proved that Rozencranz recalled all those that had bee
II sent towards Kentucky.
We now expect to go into winter quarters, probabl
at Pewtertown, Monroe county. The roads almo;
, impossible, and hardly think anything be accom-
pished either by Yankees or US until next spring.
o One morning party came in the public rooms a
Buxton somewhat later than usual and requested som
tongue. They were told that Lord Byron had eaten
ALL II am very angry with his lordship said lad.
loud enough for him hear the conversation. 81
sorry for it. madam retorted Lord Byron, "but before
ate the tongue was assured you did not want it."
d Three privates of the New York regiment known g
D the Morgan Rifles" recently, while on a drunke