Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-12-11
The skirniIh on the BlaQkwatsrl..
One OF the Most BFIIlIant Anairs or
the war--The Rebels Caught In =

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The Tribune Of the 4th, received here
yesterday. contains dispatch from Gen.
Dix to Gen. Halleck, with reference to a
skirmish which took place near Franklin,
on the BlackWater, on the ID inst, but
which conveys no correct idea either Of
the affair itself or its results. / have con-
Versed with several Of the participants in
the engagement upon our side, aszWell as
with the prisoners captured, and have
acquainted myself with all the particu-
lars. l state without hesitation that the
history of the war can hardly furnish an
instance where considering numbers en-
gagged, more spirit or brilliancy was dis
played, and you will therefore pardon me
If l should becomeia little too minute in
detail. o. a.sisa .la,l-i f-e-1 sft
aOn Monday last reconnaissance in
force started from here for the BIackwater,
under command of Col. Spear of the lIth
Pa. Cavalry. It consisted OF the latter
regiment, four regiments Of Infantry, and
a battery of artillery. It proceeded to a
point within two or three miles of the
river where several roads. intersect, and
where stands wooden structure known
as Beaver Dam Church. Beyond this
building the reconnoiterers had ordeEE
not 70 pass, and from here videttes were
sent ont in different directions.
A body Of Rebel cavalry, comprising
portions of four compapies of the ID
Georgia, and accompanied by q part Of
the celebrated Rocket battery taken from
cClellAn' at Gafhes's Mills, amounting
all told 70 about one hundred and fifty
men. While out on foraging expedition,
and unaware of the presence Of our forces,
came suddenly upon squad Of the vi
dettes. A brisk firing ensued, and the pick
cts finding themselves likely 70 be surroun-
ded by the enemy, who were throwing
out fankers, sent messenger back 10
Col. Spear for rreinforcements. 7ii9i7ls7 ]
Three companies Of the llth Pennsyl-
vania were Immediately ordered forward
on a 'tgallop," under Maj. StFatton. No
sooner had the Rebels caught glimpse
of the latter than, In considering means
for their own safety; they forgot that
they were just ready 10 capture handful
ofpickets, OF that they had notyet obtain
ed their forage-their officer in charge
Lieut.-Col ToWne of tho ID Georgia, gave
the command: Right about gallop, {"
and they incOntinently fed. Sfmultan-
eously with this Lieut. Butts, commin-
ding Company i Ofthe 1Ith Pennsylva-
mia, which was in the advance, ordered
a charge, and at it the Penney yIvanians
went with hurrab; Now took place the
interesting, the intensely exciting part Of
the affaiT--a chase after skedaddIing
Rebels-Whieh repaid our boys for many
long weeks Of tedious camp and patrol
duty. They overlook the GeOEgians ut
length, and dashiug In among them gave
the right and left -'cuts" to perfeGfion,
the ''Rebsp rolling of at almost every
stroke Of the sabeFs, and their horses ru h.
ing frHntically forward Lieut Roper Of 90.
/, exhibited a reckless bravery In his
efforts TO take Col iT0Wne prisoner.
Riding a Aeet and powerful animal, be
had at one time passed nearly an entire
company Of the enemy, when, finding
still q hYin mass Of men and horses
betWeen himself and the object Of his
pursuit, he drew his revolver, aud tried
its six loads only 70 lind it. to fail him
for the hrst time The Rebel Officer esea-
ped. Thus, amid yells, cursing, clashings
of sabeFs, and musket discharges, the
chase continued for two miles, when the
frightened Ge0Egians7 found protection,
under the guns of the fOrtiications at
Franklin, andithe paFsuit ended. iss
+po As the result Of this dash, Col .SOear
AbrOught back to Suffolk rtwenty.tWo.
prisoners, two peices Of the rocket battery.
with one eaisson,9 forty muskets, and ten
horses oaly two PRISONERS out Of the
whole escaped sabet cuts, and six Of them
Were So much injured that fheS were
taken 70 & hospital They report that one
OF then Meutenapts had q horse killed By
Q shot from one Of our piekets, and that
he himself was 80 badly wounded that
while the reinfoFcemenfs we're coming Tip
be eraWled away, into the woods N q
dying condition, Not man upon our
| side recetved a scratch