Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-13
Gen. MitcheIPs OperatiOn--A Fierce slkir-
mish at Jasper.

mlHn At JaBpofs
Correspondence Cincinnati Commercially
rs- HEADQUARTERS U, S. FoReEs OF
MIDDLE TENN. AND NORTH ALA,
rTtr y.rg HUNTSVILLE, June Z.
The expedition spoken of in my last com
munication, has been heard from. Their
report is a stinger upon the hopes of those
who thought that Beauregard's guerillas
would frighten Maj. Gen. Mitchell out of
Tennessee and Alabama. ~
Under an order from Gen. Mitchell, Gen.
Negley, in charge of heavy force, left Fay
etteville on Monday last, to pay friendly
visit to the large bodies Of guerrillas in
Testing the counties Of Franklin and Mari
on, in East Tennessee, with additional in
struetions to call on Chattanooga, if posi-
bic, and Mitchell seldom deems anything
impossible in his department
These gueriIlas have been making sad
havoc among the people of that section, de-
stroying the property of Union men, and all
those who will not yield to the edicts Of the
barbarous conscription act Hundreds Of
men have taken refuge in the mountains, to
escape impressment into the rebel service
not only white, but black men-leaving
their new crops unattended, their families
subjected to every species Of insult, their
last ear Of corn and peck of meal taken,
horses and cattle carried off, and they left
in comparative destitution.
for some time, and has only waited fit
ting opportunity to surprise them. To ac-
complish this it needed the right kind Of
leader; that leader was Gen. Negley.-
Negley is bold, brave, and ardent in his
attachment to the cause that has called
him out from his Pennsylvania home His
worth is known and highly appreciated by
our Commanding General. He is Penn
sylvsnian, and reflects great honor on the
old Keystone State. He found no rebel
forces between Fayetteville and Winches-
ter. On reaching Winchester, he learned
that the rebel General Adams was in COM
mand of heavy force of rebels at Jasper,
some thirty miles distant. He at once de-
termined to surprise them. In order to do
this he was compelled to make a forced
march, some twenty miles, over rough,
mountainous country. This was accom-
plished. He soon discovered their pickets,
and by we'll laid plan, succeeded in cap
turing them. He Immediately moved on,
and within few miles Of Jasper, came
upon large force of the enemy.
They, the rebels, Immediately formed in
to line of battle, and opened with a heavy
voHey. Col Hambright, who was leading
our ladyanee, replied from three pieces of
artillery, which had been very rapidly
placed in position. Only one round was
needed to rout them. They became panic
stricken, and commenced one Of the most
disgraceful retreats ever known. They
took up a narrow lane, toward Jasper,
closely pursued by Haggard and WyncOop,
the former Of the 9th Kentucky cavalry,
the latter Of the 7th Pennsylvania cavalry.
They gained upon them, and coming into
narrow defle, they. closed with them. Then
commenced one Of the fercest skirmishes
of the war. Our charge of cavalry was
led on BY Negleys escort, commanded by
Lieuts. Wharton and Funk. The contest
was severe. Hand to hand was the terrible
saber duel, ending in the death of 20 rebel
cavalry, many badly wounded and some
20 prisoners, among them Major Adams,
brother of the General, and also two other
commissioned officers. The road for miles
was strewed with guns, sabers, earbines,
l9e-SAAoi eNAs A9oAAC MY VI GAANy AgA9go
were also taken, together with large
train of commissary stores, ammunition
and camp equipage.
The flying rebels passed on through JAS
per, notwithstanding the great efforts used
by their officers in trying to stop them
They cursed Adams and their i'll luck, and
only stopped in their frightened career
when they reached Chattanooga, having
placed the waters Of the Tennessee be-
tween them and their pursuers. Night
closed in over the scene, and our brave but
wearied lads rested on the north bank Of
the famous Tennessee Our casualties
were two killed, Of Negley's escort, and
seven badly wounded. Though small the
enemy's loss, and this only q skirmish, yet
nothing has taken place here, since the
capture Of Huntsville, so important in its
future results as this gallant charge of the
daring Kentuckians and brave Pennsylva-
mans, led on by such as Haggard and
Wyncoop. Col Hambright, who led the
advance from Winchester 10 Jasper, and
received the enemy's first FIRE, displayed
great courage and eoOlness.
The effect of this skirmish was soon
seen. As the retreating foe disappeared,
the prosecuted Union men Of Marion be-
gan to appear. Gen, Negley's dispatch to
Major General Mitchell says that hundreds
Of Union men have hocked into Jasper,
and, with tears in their eyes, hail Mitchell
and Eegiey as their deliyereTs. To-day
four men came in from Chattanooga, and
report that Adams men came into that
place in the utmost confusion, many Of
them only stopping for time, then con-
tinuing their retreat-to the q last ditch,H I
presume. The distance over which they
retreated was forty-three miles.