Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-09-18
For Congress,
H. S. BUNDY.
gTHE BATTLE ON KANAwHA.

From an eyewitness, We have
received a reliable account Of the battle
at Fayette, and subsequent proceedings
up to the withdrawal Of our forces
from the west side OF Elk, which We
lay before our readers. The 37th and
34Lh o. v. were in camp at Fayette,
under Col. Siber. On the 10th inst,
at about IL m. they were attacked by
a body Of rebels under Gen. Loring.-
Previous to the attack, our sick were
placed in ambulances and started in
advance of the trains for Gauley. A
detachment of rebel cavalry fred into
the ambulances, killing two men, killing
the horses Of the train, and endeavor-
ing to throw the whole into inextricable
confusion. The rebels remained con-
cealed in the woods, while our forces
not in camp were exposed on open
ground. At one time the rebels under
took 10 take the batteries by storm, but
soon found it too hot for comfort and
again took to the woods. The battle
ragged with great fury in the dark
Our loss was about Is killed and IS
wounded. The rebelloss much greater.
The "Piatt Zouaves" fought like devils.
The killed and wounded are chiefly out
of that Regiment, as the 37th was pro-
tected by breast-works. The loss to
the Zouaves was in the attempt to dis
fflh RfflGh shscGRsy & pfotscted tha@h, tihhiGh whist EAl
the Zouaves had to pass through open
ground and under full fire. At dark
our forces still held their ground, but
expected a night attack. The enemy
however remained quiet, and at mid
night Col. Siber ordered our forces to
fall back to Gauley. A portion of the
4th Va, we believe under command of
Capt's. Grsyum and Vance Of CALI
polls, having reached the scene of ac-
tion, acted as skirmishers in advance of
the trains, and by O'Clock of the Itb,
reached Gauley in safety. The post at
Gauley being deemed untenable, on ac-
count of the facilities the enemy pos
sessed for cutting of our retreat at Loup
creek, Col. Lightburn assumed the
command, and directed further falling
back to camp Piatt. At this time the
47th and 44th o. v. had reached
Gauley, and q small part Of the ed Va.
Cavalry. The enemy was also largely
reinforced by way of Laurel creek, !
evidently with the design of cutting
of our retreat, but fortunately tbey ar. |
rived just after our rear guard had
passed that point. They made an at.
tack at Cotton Hill, without however,
affecting very much.
After burning the stores and destroy
ing the magnificent bridge at Gauley,
built by the Government, our forces
fell back on both sides of the Kanawha,
fghIing every inch Of the ground to
camp Piatt, pursued closely by the
enemy, whose force at that point
amounted to about $4,000 men. From
camp Pistt still on to Charleston, our
forces destroying the salt works at
Maiden as they came down. Thousands
of bushels of salt were rolled into the
river, and the works set on FIRE. The
contrabands in charge deserted them to
q man, some even starting along with
our army without stopping their en-
gines. 1t is hardly possible, however,
that the enemy will be prevented from
getting portion of the much coveted
salt, even though it be in damaged
condition. The owners of these works
are, with one or two exceptions, secesb,
and Of course will not hesitate to aid |
them in saving what they can.
Col. Lightburn with his 1000 men,
or what was left Of them, passed
through Charleston, crossed Elk river,
and after destroying the bridge, made
stand on the north side, and held the
enemy IN check during that day, (tbe
18th. J The fight was terrific. At 4
p. NJ. the town of Charleston became /
fnveloped in flames, and in a short
time the whole place was reduced to
ashes. The destruction was complete.
But two houses are left standing. The
secesh Of that town have at last oh. |
tanned their rights, if not their deserts
The town has all along been held in
subjectien only by armed force. The |
few Union men in il will hardly regret
their loss. It has cost our Government
much more than it was worth 10 keep
Il. The traitors have made money
long enough off of the Federal troops.
They showed their love of Union by