The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1861-07-30
GEN. GARNETT'S RETREAT.
HOU he Uds killed.

| Through Lieut.. Col. Crenshaw, of tho 23d Vir-
ginia Regiment, we have learned, and have the
satisfaction of reporting, much less disastrous
result than heretofore credited concerning the
late collision between our forces and those of q en-
Mcclellan in the North W estern mountains The
forces in Col. Heck's, or rather Col Pegram,s
camp, was not cut off and captured as reported
but mainly escaped safely through the woods to
Monterey, where Col Crenshaw has seen them.
Major Tyler is at that point. The only prisoners
taken by the enemy, except stragglers, were about
| 200, including Capt. Atkinson's company who
surrendered while under command of Col Pegranl.
! These have all been paroled except Col. Pegram,
who is probably reserved for exchange; Mcclellan
doubtless found it inconyenient to feed them as
prisoners. .f
Gen Garnett under whose immediate command
the 23d Regiment was, broke up his camp on
! Thursday night, on the day of the Rich Mountain
| battle He marched towards Beverly for several
miles, when learning that Col VIM. o. Scott had
deemed it proper, Contrary it is thought, to Gen.
Garnctts orders,) to retire his force below Bey-
erly, and was rctreating. Gen. q. halted and re-
versed his course, commencing line of retreat
by way of St. George. The march was commenced
amid heavy rain, and was exceedingly laborious.
Detacbments were detailed to obstruct the road in
the of the retreating column, by telling trees
so as to rctard pursuit. In this manner the last
| ford OF Cheat River, distance Of % miles was
reached on Saturday morning. Skirmishing had
meanwhile been taking place between our rear
guard and the advance of the enemys pursueing
column Of six thousand In one of these 200
Georgians were cut off from the main body, but
evaded capture by taking to the woods, aud sub
sequently rel oined the army.
At the crossing of the Cheat severe fight took
place between-t the enemy aud the 23d Virginia
Regiment, who were sent to protect the passage
Of our baggage, and to check the pursuit Our
troops were posted on bluff on the further side
of the Cheat, and the firing across the stream.
Unfortunately, one Of the wagons, in crossing, be-
came iomned in the track, and the following
teams became wild and ungovernable, and had to
be abandoned. The fight was kept up until Its
object was pliShed, and the retreat was then
RESUMED and continued without further Interrupt
ton.
At this fight at the Cheat Gen Garnett lost his
life. lie remained behind in special command Of
twenty picked rifemen to bring UP the rear,
when be was shot in the throat aud breast AZ
he fell he ordered his men to retreat OF our loss,
eleven are known to have been killed, and seven
teen wounded; considerable number, more than
hundred are missing; but it is believed they are
dispersed In the mountains, they are continually'
coming in. The loss Of the enemy was very
heavy. ~ = 80
Some of the enemy's troops, who were fallen in
with by the Georgans, while separated from fhe
rest Of the command, said their loss was four hun
dred The retreat Of our army was under Col.
Ramsey of the Georgia troops, until they got into
the North western turnpike, leading from Grafton
to Romney. They followed this road to where it
returns from its divergence into Maryland and
crosses again into Virginia Our column here
turned South and marched to Monterey, where
the other divisions Of our army had previously
concentrated Enquirer.