Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-05-29
(CorespOndsnce of the GalipOlisJ JOrsnalI
BATTLE OF PRINCETON y

ICorespOndsnce Of the GallipOlis J0snalI
BATTLE OF PRINCETON
HEADeuAsssRs OF TAzl
GarkT KAsasHA. Nay 2s. &c.
Nn HAa5xR:-Lst one Eho has
means Of beng correctly inforn,ed Of
events as they occur ID this District.
try to giveyou true account OF the
late battle Of Princeton. Il was more
a series Of desperate skirmishes, than q
regular pitched battle. lasting from the
afternoon Of the 10Th TO noon Of The
J7th. Up to Friday evening General
Coz occupied Princeton with four COM
panies, his main army being some dis
tancs in advance Of that point. The
General had been somewhat delayed
in his contemplated movement for causes
not pertinent just now. At o'clock
in the afternoon Of the 16th, Humphrey
Marshall with some e,009 troops at
tackled our handfufof troops at Prinee-
ton--sfter short but desperate 6ght
on our part. we we're compelled to with
draw from the town, leaving Marshall
in full possession, and in our rear
There is no doubt but at that time We
we're in tight place. Gen. Heath hav-
ing, as it Is said, been reinforced from
Eastern -Yhginis, was in front Of rs
with $4,000 men, and Humphrey Mar
shall in oururesr, holding Princeton
with 1000 men. What was to be done.
had TO be done quickly, and Gen. Cox
was equal to the emergency. Rapidly
concentrating his entire force, which he
effected during the night, Gen. Cox
on the morning Of the nth made an at.
tack upon Marshall, driving him before
him and re0ccupied Princeton; the en-
emy retrsating to the woods, where
skirmishing was kept up during the en-
tire day. Gen. Cox fell back to Fla
Top Mountain, thereby securing much
better position and which he now holds
Our troops behaved gsllsntly, remind
ing one Of veterans. Our loss is said
to be about s25 killed, wounded and
missing. One gentleman direct from
the field tells me il viii reach S09.
| A thousand and one stories were pul
! in circulation by half-way-hosse secesh
and causeless and foolish panic, the
entire length Of the Kanawha Valley
ensued. ....
When any one tells you the enemy
have cut Gen. Cox to pieces, destroyed
all The stores at Gauley and Loup creek
and are marching on Charleston, &c.
&C., (vide Allen Golfers stories } Just Sc
them down as no such thing. and theil
authors as secesh sympsthisers. Max
that rule to swear by and you vii
never be led into panic.
"Why did Gen. Cox fall back to Fla
Top?" Well, my good friend. I vii
tell you in as few words as possible
The position at Princeton was untena
bic, roads leading to it from all direc
tions, it was easily flanked; agaifther
was force opposed to us in our from
much superior to ours in point Of mum
bers, and, from the number of road
leading into Princeton, and into tn
, main road running through Princeton
/ it rendered our communication with III
base OF operations easily cut of an
difficult to keep, without heavier fore
than we could boast Of having. Con
sequently any good Gen. would hav
done as Gen. Cox did, fall back upon
= position which could be easily held, an
a., at the same time be point from whic
10 make a successful strike at the enc
nv when the time comes. Such are
7 brief, the naked facts in regard to th
e battle of Princeton, and the why's an
{ wherefores Of our falling back, / gath
cred from officers who were on th
spot, and the truth Of which have n
doubt. We were not whipped; on tn
7 contrary, we gave tie enemy SCUM
e thrasbing and forced him to 'skedaddle
f I could give you diagram Of the stu
alton at and near Princeton, but il woul
be useless to you. have not give
you the number on our side, or who's
e brigades were engaged, for that is con
: traband. l have aimed to give you
, sufficient number Of facts TO enable 20
to form a correct idea Of the affair.
l have succeeded in this, shall be sal
t isfed.
A detachment Of The 4th virgini
is stationed at Camp Piatt. l found
> host OF good friends there who did a
c in their power to render my visit agree
able and pleasant. But Of this an
other good things-more anon. M
: lovely friend Adal may you and ] a
> ways fall into as good hands, as we di
at charming Camp Piatt. lleave her
e IN day or two for ''above and below.
E Ada accompanies me on my pilgrim
, age Of sightseeing.
Yours, HENRY MoRTTNER.
? i1fs CORoNER'S INQUEST. 81
\ An inquest was held on the body {