, 1862-08-27
The Fight at Big Hill
Cofouc1 Metcalf Reaches Richmond
In Safety.
THE REBELS BEMAND 4 SURREN-
DER OF THE PLACE.

The following highly interesting narrative
of the recent conflicts Of Colonel Metcalfe's
command, with the rebels, near Richmond,
Ey., is from The pen Of the colonel himself.
II was written as q private letter to his wife.
RICHMOND, August "a, 1851 have had
stirring times since | left Lexington. 1ester-
day, about one O'Clock, my piekets were driv-
tn In from the top Of Big Hill, about fifteen
niles from Richmond, to my camp near the
fuot OF the hill Immediately called out all
the men could call together-numbering
about 40O-and started for the summit. When
near our destination we .dismounted, and
made the attack on foot upon the enemy, who
were posted about 400 yards beyond the top.
One company, commanded BY Capt. Berry,
had gone forward, bu: returned to the top,
several men being killed, and Col Berry hay
n,oyed forward on foot, amid shower Of bull
lvta and shell, which 80 terrified my raw, IN
disciplined recruits, that could not bring
nsore than one hundred Of them in sight Of
the enemy. The great majority, am sorry
to say, mounted their horses and fed, without
even getting q look at the foe It was impos-
eible to rally them, and they continued their
1flht to eo1ue distance north Of Richmond,
aud were only checked by meeting the brigade
under Col Link, who compelled them to re-
The brave boys who did their duty were
sacrificed through these towards for have
no hesitation in saying that if the latter had
obeyed my orders the rebels would have been
| whipped. Weakened as they we're, 100 men
fought the enemy for an hour and half, and
| frightened By the shells, but do not think a
| single person was killed by them, or . wound
| received, except slight one on my hand
from a shell which exploded within few feet
euvelGpin me completely in smoke and dust
Fifty men will cover our loss in killed
| -x,L %aN hot nc al
We killed twenty-five Of the rebels.
have been holding the enemy in check TO-
four days, though their forces are greatly So
perior to mine, and are posted on both side
| of me, less than fourteen miles distant, ami
may each attack me at any hour. I had deter
! advaDced position l then held, hoping tha
Endorsements, forage and provisions wouI
arrive During the tour days my horses ha
been fed with corn but twice. The coau*r
south Of Big Hill is entirely destitute, au
subsistence for cavalry must be sent if91
Lexington. To supply our regiment ut th
Gap 1o0 wagons will be required.
had narrow escape. Shortly after th
| above encounter, while with Col. Odon. SON
| distance behind our men, hundred rebel
dashed down the road after us. Fortunatel,
| had placed about two hundred Teuucsse
infantry in the bushes on the roadside, wh
fired on the enemy a5 they were seizlng d
| Several Of them were killed and wounded, th
rest driven back and ne saved. At the lin
the Ttnnesseeans fired there was not 4 ma
Of my regiment in sight. In company y it
14.y deliverers l hastened to the camp, wn:l
iound about 200 nen, and tried to r4u
tlleln. The enemy appeared again IN five {
II Il minutes when my force ran peu nell {
tie first fire. Th, Tenncsseans, howeys
! s..owtd good courage, and checked the Fe5
aIproach, killing several by their well i
.. ! rtcted hre.
Theg also took some prisoners, who say til:
, their command consisted of two regiments
cavalry, having one battery Of three pieces
c1pnon. They we're reported to number ano
] ,:2.o0 men.
The odds were fearfnl-twe1ye to ene-b1
Was determined to have 3 fight, and Won
;: not leave MY position unless driven from
think we did exceedingly well under Il
) | circumstances.
! The eneuy pursued us to this place, whe
6 We arrived about ten o'clock. Shortly aftc
I they sent in d flag Of truce, demanding an L
:! conditional surrender OF myself and the tow
! I replied that I would not surrender, a1
d | would fight it. out. I scne their flagbear
!; ont If town, and Immediately dispatched ~
/, uers out on the Lexington road to hasten CT
y Link, who was approaching from that dire
1 tiou. He arrived about u O'Clock with rel
forcements, and the enemy concluded to po
pore their attack, and to-day retreated.
9 LEosIDAs METcAFE.