Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-11-17
The Fight IN GreeRbrier.
.,cnG Guards.

We have been unable to learn the
particulars of tie fight in Greenbrier on
Friday, the 9Th instant, in which the
forces Of Genl. kchols and Col. VIM. L.
Jackson, amounting to only LOO mel
were forced to retire Al some disorder be-
fore the combined forces ofGenl's Kelly
and Averill numbering 1000 men, after
a stubborn resistance of four hours
Col. VIM. L. jackson with asnall force
of cavalry and section of artillery. was
near Mill Point, in Pocahontas county,
when the enemy marched upon him.
He despatched the fact, that the enemy
in force were marching upon him, to
Genl. Eehols at Lewisburg, who imme-
diatelv marched to his relief. Col. Jack
son fell back in the direction of Lewis
burg to Droop Mountain (2S miles North
East Of Lewisbnrg whore the reinforce
ments of General Echols met him, and
where the engagement occurred. A cor
respondent Of the Richmond Wing says:
''The battle was joined about eleven
o'clock Ivy our artillery firing at the en-
emy's battery as it came into position
This was spoa ended, as he was driven
away BIZ our well directed shots. The
enemy now massed his whole force on
our left and centre, consisting of about
-Four thousand G0va5ay, under Averill,
and three thousand Infantry under Kel-
ley. To oppose this force we had seveaa-
teen hundaed, of which eight hundred
were cavalry. For four hours we con
tended against overwhelming Odds
The enemy, moving his forces beyond
our left, wheeled his men, and thus OBJ
tanned an enfilading fire.
Just at this time, our centre, which
had been much weakened 10 reinforce
the left,w:.s attacked by largely supe-
rior force and pressed back. Gen. Ech-
OILS, seeing It useless to contend longer,
gave orders TO retreat; the enemy badly
cut up, made only feeble pursuit
Our loss Was necessarily very heavy, es-
pecially in killed and wounded. Maj r
A. Bailey, of the 22nd Virginia regi
ment was wounded, reported mortal
ly] and captured. Of ten officers IN
3 compaaaics Of thas same regiment thai
fought on orr left, but taoo escaped ea,
hart.
The Sd battalion suffered severe
but as reports of casualties have not
been handed in, no accurate information
can yet be obtained.
The retreat had continued but short
time when Gen. Echols received infor
nation that the Yankees, several thou
sand strore, were marching on Lewis
burg, by the Kanawlla road, to cut HIN
off. 1t was now all impotant to get oul
trains and .rtillery by Lewisburg and
across the jreenbrier river before the
new force could come up. This was
done, and the enemy baffied, a0ith til,
loss 81 one piece Of artillery and on
. aoagon qohsch wos abandoned becaus,
the c01yiage broke down. Gen. Echols
crossed the river early i'll the mo rnine
OF the 18th Instant, and after resting {
few hours, continued the march towards
Union, Monroe county"
After the failure CT the enemy to capture tn
forces of Echols and Jackaon at or near Lewis
burg as thoy no doubt expected to do Gen. Av
erill,with cavalry force supposed to number 3,
500, marched East in the direction Of Staunto
far Callaghans in Allegheny, 6 mile
West of Covington, where he turned off north t.
Highland county. A foraglng party of the ell
envy went within few miles of Covngton wher
they were fire upon by portion of Genl. Ina
boden's force, when they took the back track q
more than double quick. As the enemy mar
ched North On the North side of the Mountains
Gen. Imbolen marched North on the South Sid
~ J,a ro,dv 70 ,,ravorf b;s oar,;,r +b
Valley.
On Thursday morning despatch was receives
here from Gen. Imboden which stated that from
the information he had, he was led to believe tina
Gel. AverilI would be reinforced at Montere
by a force of 800 under Col. Mulligan, and tina
their combine forces would attempt to reac
Stanton. Upon this information, COL Baldwin
as Colonel OF the regiment OF Home Guards
summoned the different companies of II. Guard
in the county to get ready for duty and repor
as soon as possible at Stanton. On the mex
day friday he town was thronged with han
dreds of Home Guards who were soon armed an
ready to mar, to the mountains ito meet iii
foe. Gen. Ayerii seemed to know instinctivel
the kind OF reception he would meet with Q
the part of he Augusta Home Guards, and maj
no opportunity TO r the Hone Guards te pile
botomise tho Yankees Thu Home Guards re
ported for duty as promptly regulars eoul
have done, and they presented as fine an appear
ance as any regi me Mt in the service, and thos
who knew the good material Of which the com
panies were composed did not decbt for mo
ment that they would fight calamity.
Though the 'swolf'' may not come every tim
the cry of wolf is made, yet it is better TO re
spend promptly every time the alarm may be Civ
en-, for it would be better to come out ninety
nine times whet. there is no wolf, than to fail tn
hundredth time if the wolf should really come
We have doubt that the Home Guards will al
ways 90 their duty, and their first duty is to re
spond promptly when called upon by their com
handing officer Should it be their fortune t.
be led against e invading foe, We cherish lh,
hope that their heroic conduct will cause hal
of glory to
"CircIe their u. mes with cha rm against DEATH"
y rREo1rvE F1RE.-A correspondent
q. ttesn ecki ngham Register say tina
on Friday, ''e 9Th instant, about 1.
O'Clock 4 VIC, distinctive fire occurred
on the proper OF Samuel Flory anc
his two sons, Daniel and Noah, abou
one mile from Cross Kevs. in Rocking