Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-01-07
News from the Northwest.

We are permitted to make the following ex-
tract from private letter addressed to gentle
man of this county, from his son, who Is con-
nected with the Quartarmrster's Department:
MONTEREY, Jan. 4th, 1862.
DEAR PA I've have had quite az exciting
time here for several days. ] had just fallen
asleep night before last, Thursday night) when
| was aroused by the report that the Yankees
were about to attack Monterey. Jumping up
found that special express had just arrived
from Allegheny with the news that the enemy
was advancing in very large force Qrom ., ,OoO 70
6,0O0) on Camp Allegheny had come down
that evening, and encamped at dreeDbrler Klver,
nine miles beyond, and an attack at daylight was
expected. Goodies 5Sth Va. Regiment which
had come this far from Fork of Waters en- route
for Huntersville, was Order.d Immediately te
Allegheny, and started at half past one, a. Nj
The 34th Regiment, also, stationed at HightowD,
was called and went, both reaching there about
s O'Clock; but, to the surprise of all, no attack
was made, and at 10 o'clock General date Col.)
johnson sent the 9lst and SID Regiments for
ward to reconnoitre, who found that the foe had
retreated, leaving no sure sign of superior
force having occupied the ground, there having
been great number Of calnpfires lighted, which
might have been done by twenty-five men, evil
IDENTIFY feint to cover some other Interior de-
sign, whose developement transplred yesterday
in an advance on Huntersvile. We had there
only four small cavalry companies and parts Of
TWO infantry companies, in al about 250 men,
under command of Capt. Alexander of Tennes-
see cavalry company. These we're attacked yes
terday at o'clock by from 1000 to $500 of the
enemy. Two or three fires were passed. Three
of them were killed, It was thought, and one OF
our men shot through the hand, wheu we re-
treated towards Monterey, bringing off every
thing except 700 barrels of flour and a large LOT
of saited beef, said to be 10000 rations, which
they atter1pted to fire before leaving, and think
they succeeded in bdrning the -four, not certain
as to the rest, IS the enemy came soon enough
perhaps, to extinguish the flames. 1t seems te
have been the strangest policy in the world te
have kept so large a lot of supplies protected by
so small force. They had just finished sailing
away about l25 head of cattle, for whose con
sumption / knew not, and very strong tempta
tiona pressing invitation, in fact fer the thiev
ing vsndals. The retreatng cavalry companies
arrived here late this evening, leaving the infan
try scattered along the road near here. They
don't know whether they ere pursued or not
was mistaken when said thsy brought ali bu
their commissaries with Them; they lost theil
| tents ard some baggage. There was strops
picket sent out from here to night to go 1e mile
| in the direction of Huntersville. We may be at
tackled here before morning, hardly probable 81
soon, however. Fortunately the 5eth Regimen
returned here tonight, which, with three com.
panies of militia and two of cavalry, togethe
with the fugitives, making in all from 1000 f
1900, could show them little fight. The All
likewise came back 70 HigEtown, five mile
across the mountain in Grab Bottom.
An approach towards Huntersville was antic
ipated, and Goodies regiment, as said before
was this far on its rosd thither, but would no
have reached there had it gone on, in time t.
have prevented the ront. Since night befor
last we have had some expectation of rear at
tack on this plsce, q. e. in Johnson's rear) ant
an attempt to destroy his supplies here and Gu
him off from Staunton. A simultaneous attacl
here and at Allie ghaDy is probable now. | fel
and feel very little apprehension as to the resul
of an attempt On Allegheny, even by an over
whelming force, as our fortifcations are thor
oughly completed there, and the men are anx
ious and eager for en- opportunity to use them
Your affectionate son,