The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-11-17
From the Richmond Dispatch.
TIE EIGHT NEAR KELLEY's FORD:

TIE FIGHT NEAR KELLEY's FORD.
The excited reports circulated about"the capture
al two whole brgades of Confederates on the hap
nabannock by the Yankees, turn out to have been
greatly exaggerated. We are enabled from COVER
sstion with number of wounded officers aud men
1ho were in the fight, to give fuller and more
reliable narrative of the affair than has been pub
3isbed The fight occurred near Kelley's Ford,
Saturday the 7th instant, our forces being on the
further side of the river, ano the Yankees appear
ing in force TO drive them of and force passage
of the stream. The Confederates engaged were
Hayes brigade, consisting of the 9Th, Eth aud 9Th
Louisiana regiments commanded by Gen. Hayes;
and the 9th and Both North Carolina regiments of
Hoke's brigade, commanded by Col Archibald g.
Goodwin.
These troops had been stationed on the north
side of the Rappahannock, doing picket service,
when, about ii O'Clock on Saturday morning, the
drums beat to quarters, and orders were given that
every man must fall into the ranks and be pre-
nared for an immediate attack. In very short
time our outpost piekets and the enemy's skrm'sh-
ers were hotly engaged, our Own pickcLs gradually
yielding the ground to superior numbers The
main body of the enemy was not long In making
its appearance, emerging from the woods, and soon
our small force were confronted by overwhelming
numbers, estimated at between 10 and l5,OOO-
Then commenced terrific battle, which continued
ithont in termissioD from two o'clock in the after
noon till dark at which time it seems, we had
been entirely surrounded, and a large portion Of
our troops had already fallen into the hands of the
Yankees. The situation becoming desperate, and
it appearing that the longer resistance was con-
tnued on side the less chance there would be
of escape, orders we're given for a retreat, which
was done under very great disadvantages. The
bridge crossing the Rappahannock being command
ed by the enemy in such manner IS to render it
madness to attempt to cross by that means, the
whole of our retreating force took to the river,
which they forded.
The number which fell into the hands Of the
enemy is about ten hundred. We learn that the
9th North Carolina regiment entire fell into their
hands, and that about 400 of Hayes brigade also
failed to escape.
The fight 10 represented to have been Of the
sideration the great disparagement in the two
forces engaged it il remarkable that any of our
gallant men escaped at all. For the space Of three
miles in an open field, we learn, that the ground
seemed literally swarming with Yankees, who, to
adopt the expression Of one of the wounded seemed
to rise up out of the ground. In this fight their
artillery used with great efficiency, and unlike
what has hitherto been their practice, it was used
at shorter range than usual. Part of the time the
conflict was hand to-hand, aud was in this manner
that the most of men were pressed upon by
overpowering numbers and compelled to yield up
to them.
1t is regretted that our artillery were not sup
piled with shrapnel shot, i: is believed greater
destruction could have been done with them than
the solid shot which were used Never were guns
more stubbornly defended or more efficiently ma
poeuvred, and charge after charge was repulsed
before the enemy finally succeeded in capturing
them.
At one stage of the battle the inpetuosity of
Gen. Hayes led him into the very heart of the en-
emy's ranks, and before he was aware of it he was
hemmed in ON all sides. Drawing bis sword and
putting spurs to his horse, be dashed through them
and, finally escaped capture. To bis flight he
leaped parapet of considerable height aud plung-
ing his horse into the river reached the south
bank of the Rappahannock uninjured
Col. Peck, of the 9th Louisiana regiment Lieut.
Col Hodge, of the same regiment aud Lieut. Col
Terry of the 7th Louisiana regiment were also
taken prisoners at one time, but succeeded in
making their escape.
Among the prisoners are Col Penn, of the 7th
Louisiana regiment, and Capt John Angel, COM
handing the 9th Louisiana regiment 1t is be-
iieyed that Col. A. C. Goodwin is prisoner, as on
Sunday, the day after the battle both brigadcs
were under the charge of Gen. Hayes.
The list of killed an6 wounded on our side will
probably not exceed three or four hundred, very
small proportion being officers Col Sellers, OF
the SOth North Carolina regiment, received q NOR
tai wound in the right breast. This officer led bis
regiment into the fight on foot, and is represented
to have showed great fearlessness AID courage Iu
the early part Of the engagement he received a
severe wound in the arm, but refused to leave the
hele and continued to cheer on his men till later
In the evening, when he was struck the second
tIme and had to be borne off the field. Capt. John
Wltherspoon, OF company K, 3Otb n regiment,
vas also severely wounded
Among the Yankees it is believed that several
General officers were killed, as short time before
the close of the day, aud when perhaps the enemy
thought they had captured all our troops, group
Cs mounted officers evidently prominent leaders,
rode night into party of our troops who were in a
ravine, when they Immediately rose up and fred
Not one of them escaped, they were seen to fall!
apparently lifeless from their horses Previous to
this oae Yankee officer was seen to fall wounded
nq-after"ards, IN PROSTATE condition. continued
for several minutes to fire at our men till q we'll
directed shot succeeded in ending his career on
earth
Later information shows that the above is not cor
rect in regard to loss. For instance the 9th n C.
Regiment was not all captured-only about a fourth or
8 third oft was captured, among the number Lieut.
b X Smith ofthis place The loss was priacip,llx
Louisiana troops, 30 we learn rom q gentleman wh,
returned from the army last Saturday.
NEGROES IN MEMPHIs.-The "App-ar says
that the contract of taking care of the large num-
Der o. stolen and vagabond negroes 10 Memphis
Las proven too large for the military. and outsiders