Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-12-25
oFFICIAL REPoRT oF "a. FL0Y1. /,
HEADQUARTERS VIRGINIA STATE LINZ
CANr CLARKsOS, TAzEwELL CoUSTT,
December L. 1862
HIS ErcsHsn,y, John Letchcr,


NJ, ErcSli,asy JoLa LcichSr,
GosaWor Of Tirg,Hid,
SR.-After uy last communication to gu prepared
an expedition consisting Of strong force of cavalry un-
der Colonel John GARRISON 10 operate against the enc
my 10 the counties Of Wayne Ca6ell &c lie set out
from Chapmansville on the l4th November in the
d rction Al Cahen down the Guyandotte river over
rough and difficult road The following day he fell in
sth detachment Of the enemy, which he quickly rou
ed and dispersed He continued the march until within
lev miles Of the Ohio river, breaking up the Hon
Guard organization OF the enemy which are very u, %
merous in all that country aud taking prisoners every
dag!
i strong guard Of Yankee troops, acting as guard
ia the P.rrpOut Assessor for the county Of Wayne
vas attacked and dispersed after short skrmish in
which Vas killed and wounded some Of the enemy and
took few prisoners Colonel C!lrksOc proceeded then
according To the previous directions given him. TO the
tuiy river TO attack large and formidable organiza-
t1u OF the enemy composed mainly of the native pOpu-
ton and very strongly posted amidst the cliffs and
forests upon the PERCEPTIONS banks OF that river lie
succeeded IN taking them by surprise completely, aud
Alter kilUnE 4nt WoUnding number OF them took a
tv nO,s2r 0r Priscrc, and surprised crtirrlJ the
rest OF the force This force aud Organization ere for
miabe sld extremely dangerous the peace and uues
OF the round about for many miles, the loyal
people we're nearly all driven from their country and all
sere robbed. After that, Colonel Carlson according
20 previous understanding made junction with me al
the mouth OF Pigeon Creek, in Logan coudty on the
Kentucky border whittier had gone With the infantry
and SECTION of the mounted hovtzer battery
learned from Col Clarkson that the enemy had start
"a a number %. boats with valuable supplies from the
mouth OF Sandy post recently established at'Pike-
VILE point al tue head Of navigation on the Louisa
fork OF Sandy. These boats in charge % strong
yIard aud we're Intended TO furnish complete outfit
for force deemed Sufficient for them, By their com
Uauder march upon and destroy the salt works in
Sny .a aud Washington counties.
determined once attack this trAin and from its
distance being more than forty miles OF it became ne
cessary % send mounted men, Besides this reason /
found 10 myouyrriegt 10 the infantry in that drec-
t.vu account of the number or prisoners with which
W. were pucuuber,i Tho cavalry and mounted men
we're put motion within hour aud proceeded upon
the march, which uninterrupted, day night until
the enemy mere oyertaken, attacked and routed.
Our people captured ten of the enemy transport boats
laden with valuable supplies great deal OF these sup.
plies was distributed amongst the men, aud much Of
them brought Off but very large amount of most
valuable supplies necessarily destroyed for want of
transportation 10 bring them away train of hun
dred pack mules would have brought away very large
amount Of extremely valuable stores, which we're com.
mittei 20 the FIRE aud the river.
The night following the capture Of these boats lin
deed lust twelve hours after the attack upon the boats
our forces engaged that Of Colonel Dis posted ia an
extremely strong position the summit of mountain
on the road leading from PresOuburg 10 Pkeyiilc This
position taken and held without any khOwledgr ON
our part aud the attack made after the night
and entirely unexpected, were taken great dsad-
vantage But our men behaved with great steadiness
aud resolution, received the attack and charged the
enemy, driving him from his position, and dispensing
them entirely The rout complete, and the post at
Pikevie, consisting Of a thousand men, was entirely
broken up The PRISONERS and tue Union people in that
ueishborhood reported Col Dits killed in the fight
that gilt
For more detailed statements Of this expedition re-
fer 10 the report Of Col CllrksOu. 10 opera
ton, through the country, made number of recruits
ia the counties vt Cabell, WAYNE, Logau sc.
Mv object in this campaign was, far az possible to
prevent the occupation 10y the ISnkee forces OF the
coautry between the kanhwha valley and the KentuSky
border well destroy the military organization of
the country under the traitor government Wheeling
Both objects fully attained, long as was able to
remain Ia the country. The military organizations very
uumerou, aud well appointed in every particuar were
almost entirely destroyed, and tho attempts up
the spurious government we're entirely fooled
compcied.to leave the corutry, held by me for
than three months atone for the of Quarter
masters supplies We Werr without tents, orclOthng
on cooking utensils or axes aud after the judgement
weather OF winter set in, could no longer remain ia
the held With these stores supplied would have re
manned ia that country throughout tue winter month";
We able procure food (meat and bread IL the
eoJhtTy nearly all Of it taken from the enemy.
The campaign, from first to last was one Of hardship
aud prvatiCu; but they borne without complaint
by the men, Who unsurpassed in hardness activity
AUDI capabilty 10 endure privations. They deserve
grca praise for their consaucy and general good
duct
The officers generally deserve commentator. but TO
Col CarksOn too much credit be given for his
cucr-y, activity and courage. Tie obstacles he en-
g3laicrcd, Of ever Throughout; tEc3e expeditions
.isS no, sahantiy surmOaGied.
hRyc the honor 70 be-
EeTy respectfully,
Your obit sergt