Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-03-05
Tno Case OF Col. AnisanseI.
PAW Paw. Va, Feb. %.
EditOrs, -LatslligtReer:

EottoEA~4htetttycsteets- -s'-'
The current newspaper accounts of Col.
Anisansers case are uniformly incorrect
in nearly every particular. After the fight
at Bloomery, General Lander preferred
charges of coWArdice and misconduct in
the presence Of the enemy against him
The caseis now undergoing an eXamlna'
tion by a court martial, and we presume
he will be acquitted, knowing as we do that
the charges are groundless. The facts are
Substantially as follows: They failed to
find the secesh where they expected to find
them, nor could they obtain any satisfac-
tory information in regard to their where
abouts. The General ordered the cavalry
to scout the Winchester road for four or
FIVE miles in search OF them. Having
gone, perhaps, two miles, the column was
brought to a halt by the advance guard be-
ing fred on. They had been aPprised of
our coming, but were not aware that we
had infantry along, as We learned from
| prisoners, and had posted ;heIr men in
groups for three or four miles, in places
afording them the best shelter, and the
most inaccessible to cavalry. Col A. inn
mediately sent a messenger to the General,
! informing him that he had found the
enemy, and asking him for two regiments
Of infantry to flank them The position
we had first to attack was taken on the
steep mountain side, among trees and
bushes, where we would have to ride
| square in the face of their lines in order TO
attack them on horseback. The General
on receiving this message ordered up the
It'll Va, and l4th Indiana on double quick,
then galloping up to the cavalry and
swearing furtously, ordered them to charge,
saying, I'll lead you, follow me, which was
no sooner said than done. After reaching
their lines, he stopped one of our boys who
was about to shoot Col. Baldwin, and took
| him prisoner himself. 1t then become a
sort of free fight, in which officers aud
privates aud the various companies becom-
mixed up, prOmiscuously every man act
ing according to his Owu Judgment. They
were soon scattered all over the mountain
sides, capturing prisoners, and attacking
and dispensing them whenever they showed
| resistance. Col. Anisansel on learning
! there was baggage train ahead, gathered
up such men rs he could find readily pur-
sued and overlook it just around a
fired on from both sides of the road
by numbers far exceeding theirs. YET
the Colonel held his ground till il
became evident that they must be all
eituer killed or captured, as they we're rap
idly closing in on them when he ordered
them to fail back. 1t was here that the
{ olouel's horse fell with him seriously in.
ijuring him. 1t was hero also where our
'nen were killed. The men being in confu-
sion and scattered all over the country,
most of them not knowing that there was
any baggage train, it was impossible to
rally any considerable force for some time
! Colonel Anisansel was 10 the hottest of the
battle. lie violated no orders for he re.
ceived none from Gen. Lander. His plan
of attacking them with infantry is believed
to be the proper one, by all who were there
ofhcers and priyates, infantry and cavalry:
and it is the general opinion that if it had
been adopted, our victory would have beer
n ore perfect. Gen. Lander, when he can
thred the prisoner, returned with him tc
the house where he previously had stoned
where he remained till after the buttle
having led the cavalry some thirty rods or
tue ttrse Charge. On hearing that the bag
gage had escaped he became quite furious
and claimed that he had given orders tina
he never had given, in order to throw th,
Ol anne on the Colonel. He had no plan o
attack, except to have general pitch-in
nor did he know anything about the posi-
ton Of the enemy. No one doubts Genera
Lauders bravery, and he has kind of saw
age enthusiasm, well calculated to lead incl
IN battle; but of his fitness, at times, 4
have command of an army, and especial,
on tho morning of said fight, many VIII
saw him have serious doubts. Aud til
public we have no doubt, will arrive a
the same conclusion if he holds his presen
position any length of time.
1 W. S.