Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-03-22

ana Ripley or ClarksbuHg and Park kersbuFR
Gen. Garnett with $500 men advanced on
the main rohddowu Tygarts Valley toward
Phtuippt, and entrenched himself at Lau.
rel Hill. Gen. Mcclellan, ordered Morris
with $500 men to meet him, and on the
evening before the battle Of Rich Mountain
he occupied Belington, a mile north of
GRrnetts' intrenchments on the Phfllippi
road, while Gen. Mcclellan advanced with
Rosecrans, Sleich's and McOook's brigade,
and was encamped at Roaring Creek in
front of Pegram, who with 25OO men was
lntrenched in a strong position in the
forests on the Beverly and Weston road, at
the foot of the western slope of Rich Noun .
tain, with n rear guard at Hart's on the
top Of the mountain. To carry this posi-
tiou, would enable Gen. Mcclellan to occu-
py Beverly and cut OF Garuett. The rebel
strength was not known, but was supposed
to be much larger than it really. was. TIE
military Reconnaissance did not develope
their strength lf IiIo7i . tlo
The plan formed by Gen. Rosecrans,
was by circuitous route to surprise and
capture the rear guard on the top of the
m6antein, cutoff the rebel retreat. and he
governed in his further movements by cir
cnmstances. The FEAR guard was
strengthened by Pcgtam himself. with.
half his artillery and all the forces he dare
spare from the main works. At the time
of the battle, and on the other side of
Harts towards Beverly, Colonel Scotts
44th Virginia advanced TO within three
quarters Of a mile of the scene of action.
The effect of our sucees was To cut of
this regiment from reinforcing Pegrarn, and
cause it and the Georgia troops ad-
yanciug, but still farther back, ito
retreat over Cheat Mountain with
all speed. The rebels at Camp Garrett,
under Pegrdm, being demoralized, took.
advantage of the darkness to abandon their
position and escape through the noun.
ttins, while the news OFF it reaching Gar
nett that night, caused him to abaiion his
entrenchments ut laurel Hill at midnight,
and retreat by road which leaves the
turnpike six miles north of Beverly, and
leads north-easterly to West Utiion on the
Northwestern Virginia. turnpike 7Gv b
Gen. Norris advance guard began the
pursuit of GaFnett at seven A NJ. The
main column Ht eleven overlook the reap
guard of Gdrnett's column near CarrIck's
Ford, captured much of his baggage and
killed GarHett, while the main. body of his
troops escaped by the way ftWest Union
toward Winchester. RosecrSusput his 1d,
vance guard in motion at daylight, and fol-
lowingwith his main body, took possession
vi Tue EeOel cAmpSi Win Rll' It's stores and
equipPage,. aud come eighty prisoners,
sending word TO Gen. Mcclellan early in
the mOrning. On the first receipt Of the
news Gen Mcclellan moved with his entire
command to Beverly, pursuing the flying
rebels to the top of Cheat, thus intercept
ing Pegrnm's retreat Southerly, while Nor
his intercepted it Northwardly. Pegram,
after wandering in the mountains for tliir-
ty.six hours, surrendered TO Gen. McClell
an at Beverly, where Gen; Mcclellan re-
mained in camp with the main body, of his
force, consisting of three months men
whose time had nearly expired, until the
news of the battle of Bull Run, when he
was ordered to Washington, aud the, com
mRpd devolVed upon Gen. Rosecraus.
Whence it will appear that the affair at
Rich Mountain opportunely. cut off rein.
torcements to PegrRm at Camp Garnett,
knocked the. keystone out of the rebel
arch of defence with but little loss, which
would have been done by more bloody
contest for that position on the same or
following day 1t was planned and exc,
cuted by Gen. ROsecrans under the orders
of Gen. Mcclellan, to each of whom be-
longs his proper share of merit-to Gen.
Rosecrans as subordinate, to Gen. McClel-
Ian as Commander-in-C Chief
2 As have only this once tintruded upon
the public, and that to OivindicGte the truth
ohihistory, hope shall be forgiven for
the length of the communication by my
fellow-countrymen and your indHlgent
readers. ~ etrH lf lrgslrc. Isi.t si -, 60