Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1862-01-28
The skirmish at Big Cacapon Bridge.
onciaI Report of Capt. W. b. Slaughter.

yesterday evening about 6 O'Clock. l re-
ported Immediately to General Kelley,was
kindly received and arrangements made
for the comfort Of my men.
The afternoon Of Friday, the Sd instant,
I spent with small party ofmy Company
and Lieutenant Rudd in careful reconnoi-
sance from the top of Great Cacapon
Mountain, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. from prom
inent points. for a distance Of p miles.
From these points we could plainly see
indications of the presence in the valley
between us and the Warm Spring Noun
tain of q a large force of the enemy. We
estimated it at not less than 5000 men,
and in the distance to the South, two ex-
tensive camps.
l accordingly extended my pickets on
the mountain during the night, and order
eL my men to sleep on their arms. On
Saturday, threw out party OF q men,
under Lieutenant Rudd. TO the top OF the
mountain, with instructions TO observe the
enemy, (which we then positively knew to
be approaching Bath in large force, and
TO embarrass the approach OF any force that
might be sent against US. AT about III
o'clock. A. NJ, information was brought
me that column of three regiments was
approaching by the Bath road. 1t was
deemed probable also that force would re
brought against us by the Long Hollow
from the Bloomery Gap. This supposition
was enhanced by the fact, which l had
learned, that the movement against Bath
was simultaneously made by large forces
by the way of Sleepy Greek and the valley
east of the Great Cacapon Mountain.
therefore directed Capt, Dyche with his
company to occupy the approaches by the
Long Hollow, and points across to the
bluffs of the Great Cacapon Creek, and
took measures to defend the bridge and
ford with my Company and the detatch-
ment from Company f, under Lieutenant
Whipple.
Breastworks of timber and railroad ties
had been constructed during the day at,
and ON each side of the bridge, and planted
strong defences along the bluffs of :he
creek.
Lieutenant Whipple, with thirty men
was posted at the bridge. and the balance
OF my force Except the detatchment under
Lieutenant Rudd,) disposed on the bluffs
under command of Lieut.. Savage.
Valuable service was rendered. during
the day, by the detachment under Lieut..
Rudd. Having the whole valley west of
the Great Cacapon Mountain before him,
he was able to note every movement and
disposition ofthe enemy, and to perceive
their strength. The column advancing
against us, consisted IF three regiments of
infantary and one piece of artillery
To check so large force was desperate
undertaking for twenty-five men, but as
the event proved, not an impossible one.
Selecting a position near a bend in 1.-THE
narrow road which they knew the column
must pass, our boys knelt on one knee and
awaited its approach, Not until the fore
most files were within twelve rods was the
presence of the party suspected and then
at the criticize moment when the discovery
had caused hesitation in their files, they
coolly delivered their fire. Several of the
enemy were seen to fall, and the head o.
the column was thrown into confusion
Our party retreated to another shelter
The enemy was then held at bay for three
hours, and it was not until the darkness o
night covered them that they ventured t.
descend the mountain Lieut.. Rodd ex
presses the highest admiration of the cool
ness and determination of the men. The
whole execution CT his part was such as Il
effect the highest honor upon him.
The 18th Indiana, under Lieut.. Col
Foster, arrived on the ground at Grea
Cacapon about six o'clock in the evening
Col Foster declined to take the command
and our plans were not changed. Had thu
enemy descended the west side of the Grea
Cacapon Mountain before dark nothing
could have saved the 18th, as its retreat
would have been effectuallY cut off l am
firmly convinced that its salvation is due
TO the courage and skill of the detachment
that occupied the mountain road
About o'clock we became aware of the
fact that the enemy were fixing a gun in
position to attack as. Deeming it proba
BILE that we should be obliged to retire be-
fore their superior force, | directed thai
all the company baggage and stores should
be placed in a car, so as to facilitate oul
retreat when Git became necessary. Our
lodging was not completed when the eHe-
my opened fire on us with his cannon.
The engineer Immediately strrted the
trainssand moved around the curve about
two miles, where it could lie in safety
The 18th Indiana, being in the cars, was
carried along.
Our men stationed at the bridge, under
command of Lieut. Whipple, could distinct
" perceive the position OF the encmy's CUR
aud they answered It's fire with their mus.
kerry. After tbs secOnd shot the gun wa,
deserted, and it gave US no further trouble
A large force Of the infantry, at about
the same time, made its appearance at the
creek and replied with muskets. Ou
men being we'll protected were able t
maintain their position with impunity
The skipmishing continued for about thret
quarters Of an hour after the departure o
abe train. A company of cavalry and {
regiment of infantry made show o
purpose TO cross the ford opposite the blut
occupied by Lieut.. Savage. They were
handsomely repealed. was confident tina
the position could be maintained at Grea
Cacapon, provided the Indiana regimen
could return and take part in the defence
/ accordingly despatched a message to Col
Poster with the request that he woulC
bring down his force and assume the com
mand. Before the messenger reached hin
however, word was brought me that til
enemy had crossed the creek a mile and
half above and were likely to cut off GU
retreat.
All was quiet in our front, except tn
the sound Of a carriage on the mountain
road, which indicated the descent of NOR
artillery. The cavalry and infantry hat
retired from the ford and the nelgh borhoo;
of the bridge. Our only immediate dan
ger was that our retreat would be cut q
by the force which had crossed above, an,
that danger was represented to be immi
nent. therefore ordered retreat, whc
was effected in good order. we reache
the train and moved with it TO Gree
Spring, Nothing is known of the effect c
our firc further than the fact that the enc
my deemed itprudent to retire out of rang
Of our muskets.
/ have the honor to be
Your obedient servant,
w. B. SLAUGHTER,
Capt. Commanding at Great Cacapon.
S-Sirce the above report was writ
ten we have positive aid reliable informa
zion that the enemy lost seyenteen l.en il