Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-10-24


FsslssRs C.aSI,ss IN GGsf fSssxsskb~ass. Wit
tIAxs OPERATIONS "A correspondent Of the Lynch
burg Republican gives the following account OF the late
campaign 10 East Tennessee and the successful retreat
Of Gen. Williams, with 500 men, from Burnside with
1900; =,
Alter tie engagement at Z1Icoasr, three or four
weeks ago Gentrll Williams, with his cavalry pugsde,
was ordered 20 pursue tAe enemy as far as Bus zap
while it understood that General ksnsom Wtn the
infantry vas to march for Cumberland Gap, and after
the capture aud occupation Of that point by General
junction was to take place between the two conf
mands Ia conformity With these arrangements, zen.
Williams pursued the enemy 70 Blue Springs, point
AK miles north OF Bulls Gap, where, meeting with a
force superior TO his own, and which bad greatly the
advantage in position, he compelled to halt and
await orders r. m Gen. K. While halted hero he re-
ceived notice that the intended move on Cumberland
Gap would not be made and at the time order
turning him the command OF the Department OF
East Tennessee. This Of course placed him in very
embarrassing poSton-moro than hundred miles from
bis base OF supplies and than seventy five miles
from any infantry support 10 fall back upon-With
half organized cavalry force, hemmed in between the
AolchScky river one side and an impossible noun
tain on the other and liable at any time TO be hsnked
on either side it is altogether miracle that he ever gos
out at all.
At an early hour on Saturday morning. the 10th ins
fght va opened in front and al along the line.
several furious attacks made By the enemy during
the day and gsnty repulsed every time until o'clock
p. when a desperate aud overwhelming assault Was
made upon tee centre rst with grape and canister from
battery OF six guns concealed in ravne and then
charge by three regiments Of infantry, causing Colonel
frmOie aud Maj hasey TO give way and retire by the
l4uk 70 tie Of Cos Carter and Glther. Pnrsning
their advantage the enemy had the temeriy TO con-
inue the o5arge through the open Geld upon Gen. WIS
"a tsries When within about hundred and fifty
yards OF the guns most destructive and terrible fire
Was Opeued upon them, cauing their scld columns TO
SaVer break and finally retreat ia great confusion The
route complete. The position lost before wa1re-
gained, and the battle field held until ~ o'clock at
night when il was discovered that large columns
advancing 10 the right and Lett with view OF CON-
petely surrounding the little army. Scouts cams in
from every direction, confirming the information that
Burnside with his entire army, bad reached MorstoTn
aud Bls Gap with the additional intelligence that one
or two brigAdes had reached Rogersvie, from which
point bis rear could be easily reached In this state of
things Gen Williams was compelled to withdraw, and
did 50 at once quietly and without the loss Of single
man. Before daybreak he was ats cked AZ Hendersons
Mil elk miles from Grsecevile, by Eos er's Brigade,
Consisting OF the 5th aud 66th Indiana, f:h Illinois and
Sth Tennessee regmeats With two pieces Of artillery
They bad sOt:el fairly in his rear aud in i've hours
mo-e would have completely cut him of. Gen. VIII
Ia - did e1ao ly what the case required charged the
enemy &C oDcs, killing Soun6ng End capturing large
numser and In less than hour routed the en;re br
gAde.
AZ RbeatOwn Eve miles further on, aooshor brigade
opened his aud ef. faux ID artillery and saal
arms dong little Or no damage.
AZ Limestone Greek We made halt, fought them an
hour, and retired to JonesbOrO uumoles,ed.
The next day tine enemy appeared before him at
B Oantviie, and, AFTER hours skrnishing wss cis-
coVsrei De passing largo force with pieces Of
ati ery aud Large wagon u4in, bis right. This d
VOWED the necessity OF slin back Aoingdon Tor he
he er protection the Sat WORKS. and accord nS'y he
DID so at once The enemy found hin n position be.
fore Abingdon, with reilforcemeuts sufficient TO make
bod stand ana being themselves loug distance from
nsir base OF Supplies, were compelled to Withdraw,
winch they did the egsniog OF the l7th tearing up
the railroad and burning bridges they vent