The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-09-13
BA THEN WESTERN VIRGINIA

CLARKsBURGH, Sept. IA battle took
place about o'clock on Tuesday afternoon,
near Summersville. General Rosencrans
found Floyd's army, 5000 strong, with 16
field pieces, entrenched in a powerful posi-
ton on the top of a mountain, at Carnix
Ferry, on the west side of Gauley river.
The rear and extreme of both tanks were
inaccessible, and the front was masked by
heavy forests. Col. Lyttle, of the 9th Ohio
Regiment of Benhams Brigade was in the
advance, and drove strong detachment of
the enemy out of the camp this side of the
position, the site Of which was unknown
Shortly afterwards, his scouts, consisting of
four companies, suddenly discovered them
selves in the face of a parapet battery and a
long line of palisades for rifemen, when
the battle opened iercely. The remainder
of the 10th and 18Th Ohio were brought in
to action successfully by General Benham,
and the 18th Ohio afterwards, by Captain
Hartsuf, whose object was an armed recon
noisance. The enemy played upon our for
ces terrifcally, with muskets, rifles, cannis-
ter, and shell, causing some casualties.-
Col. Lyttle led several companies of his
Irish to the charge of a battery, when he
was brought down by a shot in the leg
Col. Smiths 18th Ohio engaged the enemy
on the left, and Col. Lewis 18th Ohio d.
rectly in front. Col. Lowe fell dead at the
head of his regiment, early in the hottest of
the fire, by ball in the forehead. McMul-
lens howitzer battery, and Snyder's two
field pieces in the meantime, were got in
the best position possible under the circum-
stances, and soon silenced two of the
rebel guns. The fire slackened at inter
walls, but grew more furious as night
approached, when the German brigade was
led gallautly into action by Col. McCook,
under the direction of Adj. Gen. Hartstuf,
but after a furious fight of three hours, night
compelled the recall of the troops, and the
men lay on their arms within short dis
lance of the enemy, each ready to resume
the contest next morning. Floyd fed dur
ing the night, and sunk the boats in the
river, and destroyed the temporary bridge
which he had made when be first occupied
the position The turbulence and depth of
the river, and exhaustion of the troops,
made it impossible to follow him. He left
bis camp equipage, wagons, horses, large
quantities of ammunition, and 80 head of
cattle.
Our loss is 10 killed and 10 wounded.
principally flesh wounds. The rebel loss is
not ascertained. They carried their dead
and wounded with them, but it was certain
" serious Capt. McGronty, of Cincinnati,
Capt. McMullin and Lieut.. Snyder of Ohio,
are among the wounded, but not dangerous
". Twenty-Five men of Col. Tyler's, who
were taken by Floyd at Cross Lanes, were
recaptured. Floyd's personal baggage, with
that of his officers, was taken.
Gen. Benhams brigade, which suffered
the most, was commanded by him in per-
son, aud McCook led his brigade. General
Rosencrans and Benham, Coils. McCook,
Lyttie, Lowe, Capts. Hartstuf, Snyder, Nc
Mullin, Major Burren, of the 10th Ohio, and
other officers, displayed conspicuous per-
sonaI gallsntry. The troops were exclu-
sively from Ohio, and showed great bravery.