Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-11-18
From the Lynchburg Republican,
General Echols' Retreat From the Kanawha
Valley.

We published some days since, statement
from the Fincastle Express, that the retreat of
General Echols from the Kanawha Valley was
caused by information obtained from a Yankee
spy, of the advance of the enemy, which after
wards proved false. We give below detailed
tirely reliable source, which will show that the
retrogade movement of General Echols has turn
ed out to be wise and judicious one. It is due
to truth, and but justice to General Echols, that
the facts should be made known, and we give
the following which has come into our possession:
seen. Echols upon his return to the Valley
learned that Gen. Cox had returned to Western
Virginia from the Potomac, with four brigades,
and was himself at Point Pleasant. The enemy
were steadily advancing up the Kanawha river,
and on the day before Gen'l Echols left Charles
ton, had driven in our pickets only five miles
distant. General Echols up to this time, had
been unable to learn their exact strength and
had made all his arrangements to offer him battle.
should he attempt to advance further. On that
evening, he learned from his scouts, however,
that the Federal force consisted of Light burn IS
division, 5000 strong, and M Morgan's division,
lately of Cumberland Gap, 1000 strong, making
about II, 900, with 35 pieces of artillery and
600 cavalry. He also learned that General Mil
roy, with three regiments, had left Point Pleas
ant for Clarksburg, about ten days previously,
and he at once OWNED that his object was to
unite this force with the force known to be at
Clarksburg, and march to Gauley, and thus cut
off his retreat.
After all the troops had left Charleston, ex-
cept the cavalry, General Echols heard, for the
first time, that individual. representating him.
self to be resigned officer from the Federal army
had come within our lines, and confirmed the sus-
picions Gen. Il. entertained as to Milroy's move
ments. Gen. Echols upon his arrival at Gauley
with his forces met this individual, and learned
the designs of Milroy and the disposition of his
forces. He learned that Milroy had despatched
two regiments to Beverly, and that when this
Lieutenant left Weston, that Miroy was prepa-
ring to leave Clarksburg with two brigades for
Gauley bridge. This person produced evidence
OF his having been Lieutenant in the Federal
service, and of his having resigned. He had in
his possession a considerable amount of Confed.
crate money, which he stated: he had exchanged
Federal currency for, and which upon examina-
tion, was found to be genuine, and not counter
felt, as the informant of the Express states. He
was not arrested, but was allowed to go to Rich
mond, to submit certain schemes to the consid-
GRAFTON of the Secretary of War.
Since leaving the Valley, General Echols has
learned from reliable sources that Gen. Cox has
advanced to Gauley bridge, which he is now re-
building. and that he has force Of about Is, 600
men scattered. along the river from that point to
Charleston. General Miroy did advance from
Clarksburg and occupied Summersville 80 miles
from Gauley, on the day Gen. Echols left Cotton
Hill, with two brigades, consisting Of about ,OOO
men, one of which is under the command OF
Cruts, we'll known in this section. Information
has also been received that the two regiments
described by the Yankee Lieutenant, have rein.
forced Beverly.
$4,000 men, was moving up in front, and that
Milroy, with ZOO was threatening his rear, the
retreat of Gen Echols will scarcely be regarded
as hasty and unnecessary.