Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-05-05
The FighI at Beverly, and the Re
treat to CIarksburE.
CLARKsBURG, april %, 1862.

Editors Lnfelligencer
l.. jackson, "beut 4,5OO strong, with six
pieces of artillery, attacked Col. Latham,
at Beverly, on Friday last, about O'Clock
P. NJ. Col. Latham had some 100 men,
two pieces of artillery, and a part of a cav
airy company. Some ten or twelve hun
dred of the rebel force consisted of caval-
ry. Latham held the enemy in check until
near FIVE o'clock in the evening, when he
drew off his forces and retreated to Lead :
ing Creek, distance of miles west of
Beverly, on the Beverly and Fairmont turn
pike. The retreat was conducted in good
order. Two or three men were killed and
one mortally wounded on the Federal side
A few men who were ou picket duty were
cut off and captured by the rebels. The
rebel loss, if any, has not been ascertained
yet. 1t is said they certainly had several
killed.
On Saturday morning last the Federal
troops continued their retreat to Belington,
where Col Latham received orders to re-
port with his command at Buckhanuou as
soon as possible. The command reached
BuCkhAunOn at three or four o'clock the
next day Sunday.
During the retreat from Beverly to Lead
ing Creek, the rebels made several cavalry
charges on the rear, which were handsome
ly met and successfully repulsed
Before Beverly was evacuated the Gov
ernmeut buildings and property was burn
ed 1t is said the'fire communicated with
some private buildings and burned them
also. The extent of the burning is not
known to the writer. The successful and
able manner with which this retreat was
conducted, in the face of overwhelming
odds, entities Col. Latham to the approba-
ton and confidence alike of his command
ard the country.
If this narrative could stop here there
would be some consolation in it, but its
sequel is Illuminating and disgraceful. Up
to II o'clock on Monday last, the citizens
of BuckhanuOu were assured that there
was no danger, and that the place would
be held. The whole commity was utterly
| astounded when it became known that
| Buckhannon was to be evacuated; and, as
many thought, without any reason in the
wOrld-and subsequent events have de-
monstrated the correctness of their opin-
| ions. During the day on Monday it was
reported that COL MulIigan, with twelve or
fifteen hundred men and six pieces of ar
tillery, had been badly whipped by the
rebels ut Philippi, and almost the first thing
the citizens knew was that the Govern
ment property was being destroyed, the
soldiers tents were on fire, and the fine
bridge across the Buckhannon river was in
flames. The bridge across the Middlefurk
river, l3 miles east of Buckhaunon, had
been burned a day or two before. This
was all done by the Federal army, under
orders-under whose orders, it is under
stood, will be a matter of investigation
hereafter.
The Federal army, about $500 infantry,
4 pieces of artillery and two or three com
panies of cavalry, left Buckhauuon on last
| Monday afternoon, when it is conf IDENTITY
believed there was not an enemy, in any
| force, within ten miles OF the place. The
present writer is informed that some of the
officers and men shed tears over the strange
and uuaccOuntable movement, while all
with the deepest sorrow, regretted it. The
boys wanted to fight the enemy, but were
not permitted. The troops were marched
to Weston that night, and thence to CIarks
burg on yesterday, and here we are now
sickened and disgusted. Our whole coun.
try, east and south of here, thrown open
to the enemy, and rowing bands of rebel
cavalry, plundering and destroying the
country. Is there no help for us? Yes,
there is. Give US our own army we have
SO freely sent into the field and Il Brigadier
General, with more brains and less regula.
lions, and the new State of West Virginia
will take care of itself.
UPsHUR