Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-03-19


rive, in consequence OfCthe difficult roads
over which it had to march at night, in
time to make its share of the action decis.
iyei and the rebels, though routed, escaped.
Subsequently Lander was assigned to Brig
adier-Generali Rosecraus, and was with
him at the battle of Rich Mountain, an en-.
gagement the true history of which has
not yet been written.
THEaBATrIE OF RICH MouSrAtS.
It will be remembered that a plan had
been formed TO cut off Garnett's command
at Laurel Hill, in pursuance of which Gen.
Morris moved down from Grafton directly
upon the rebels in front, while Mcclellan,
with the main body, advanced farther west
to get into their rear at Beverly. Garnett
was strongly posted at Laurel Hill, and
had detached PegrAm with some three
thousand men to guard the road TO Beverly
against this maueuvre; and Pegrnm had
fortified himself strongly at Rich Mountain.
Mcclellan approached PegrAm from the
west, and ascertaining his position, sent
Rosecrans to find his way into l'egram's
rear, and assail the rebels, while he him
self would cooperate by direct attack in
front, upon receiving information that the
rear attack was ready. ttf.E5
Rosecrans set out in the night, and un-
der the guidance of a farmers son, rearh.
ed the rebel encampment in the morning.
The march was a very difficult one, and
the men were weary when they arrived at
the rebel entertainments. They suddenly
found themselves before a narrow pass
swept by the cannon of the enemy, aud
were at first thrown into confusion by an
unexpected and severe fire upon them.
The only approach was by narrow en-
trance between PERCEPTIONS hills. and here
| the enemy bad thrown up an abRtis, aud
placed their two pieces Of cannon in bat
terry. Lander, who Lad been sent by
Mcclellan with RoSecrans, urged an i'm
mediate advance. Colonel Benton, of the
the Eighth Indiana Volunteers, offered his
regiment to Lander, who gladly accepted
them; and then, taking the responsibility
OF the attack, put himself at the head Of
the men, gave the order for the movement,
and swept through the pass. followed by
his troops, like tornado. The fight was
brief. Only this one regiment partici-
| pated in it, for the place was so narrow
that no more could have found room but
their spirit was too much for the rebels,
| who were driven from their eutrenchnents
with great slaughter and Etterig routed
This successful and brilliant charge
/ opened the way for further advance, aud
4 Lander at once advised an immediate as !.
| sault upon Pegrum himself, but owing to
other counsels no advance was made and
no word was sent back 10 Mcclellan, who
was waiting in anxious expectation of
news, aud this neglect was of most serious
disadvantage. As the time approached
when RosecEans ought TO be near the cue.
my, Mcclellan drew up his troops. for tue
direct assault upon Pegram's front. Seven
thousand soldiers wero under arms waiting
for thsword to advance, but no news came,
aud cClellan after waiting thus from two
4 r. N. till dark on n summer evening, was
obliged to give over the movement for the
day and order the men to their tents, sup
A posing that Rosecrans had met with some
disaster He ordered "a road to, be, cut
during the night to a height which com.
manded Pegram's position, intending to
open fire on him the next morning, but
when the morning came Pegram was NO
longer there. He had received news of
the disaster to bis rear-guard, and slipped
away during the night, to join Garnett.
He found this impossible, however, for
Garnett hadlhimself to fy. The two were
unable to form n junction, aud Pegram was
forced, after wandering a day. or two in
the woods, to surrender what portion OF
his force iheld Together, some six hundred
and fifty men. ,.9,iisY 81
was very angry at this negligent perform.
ance of his ORDERS, particularly as it pre-
vented him from taking his command into
battle, and winning the laurels which 9th
erwise would have been sure.
The battle of, Rich Mountain was not a
great one, as twas fought against only
about three hundred apd, fifty rebels, by a
single regiment of our troops. The forti-
fed position of thu rebels,f hoWeyer, very
nearly equalized the forces, and the vigor
and decision of the attack has nowhere
been surpassed. Its success was due to
the judicious dispositions of Lauder, as the
attack itself was the fruit, of his 'courage
and earnestness. 1t came at critical pc
riod of the war, aud did much TO strength
, en- our men and to lessen the gloom of the
country after the disastrous affair at Boil
Run Too much praise cannot be given
to the TWO brave, men to- whom alone the
engagement was due-the patriotic Col
Benton, of the Eighth Indiana volunteers
and Lander himself -
/, Mcclellan, was speedily Summoned e
take command.on the Potomac; and, ,this
selection of commander was in part due
to Lander's influence. He had high ap-
: probation of colellan; and his opinion
hadlWeight with the PRESIDENT and with
General Scott He accompanied cClel,
1an to WRshingt ton; and received an 'immei
il ,1iata +af0nfnifihu anf hts -FvVYt llPVicagl In