Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-04-09

snu moved Immediately. The distance
rom Point Pleasantis 46 miles.
The rebels left Immediately by q wholly
different route, from that taken by the re-.
intorcements,- and fired on the boats as
tset forth in the dispatches; after wbich
procuring fiat boats in the niGht +SaI,
toated down and concealed themselves in
the immediate vicinity of Point Pleasant
captured our scouts and pickets, and were
nearly into town before being discovered
But We deny that it was complete sttr-
prise: Capt. Carter having previously got
his ammunition into the Court House. and
other preparations made; drew his men
into the Court House about the right time
and commenced the fight in fine spirits.
Jenkins force here CONSISTED of Hbout
700 men. Carter had only 60 men in the
Court House! The fighting was severe for
some time until Gen. jenkins sent in a
nag demanding surrender of the place.
to which the gallant commaudant replied
that. he entered the service to fight and
not to surrender and to take him If be
could; after which Gen. Jenkins sent some
rebel ladies' with a flag and to beg Captain
Garter to surrender, and to say to him if
he would do so private property would be.
respected, otherwise he would burn s'the
d--n town." Failing again in obtaining
surrender he then meanly commenced
threatening Union ladies and their prop
erty, and begging them to plead with
Carter for surrender. In this too he
failed, for some of the ladies instead of
asking for a surrender went to the Court
House, amidst shower of bullets, and told
Capt. Carter they didn't want him to sur
render if their property was burned.
A short time after this retreat of the
rebels was ordered, and their advance was
of
iOhiotroops were across the river, although
there was still good many in town en-.
gagged in plunder when they did cross.
.a Capt. Carter hadn't a sufficient force to
march out and attack them, but they were
completely whipped before the reinforce
nents arrived. 1t is not true then that
the town was taken and retaken, and the
man who dispatched you that statement
knew that our boys were still waving the
stars and stripes out of the window when
the Ohio troops left the Ohio side of the
river for Point Pleasant.
The truth is sir, there never was more
gallant fight made, than was made by your
little band of Virginia troops. Lieut..
Hawkins and others are now suffering from
the effects of most painful wounds We
hold in utter contempt the man who could
have the heart to do injustice to such no.
~ ASaA o 0uN ~ 61NSS 10 pLSu6uC6 " say
that the Ohio soldiers and the officers that
came here showed much anxiety to get here
long before they could get permission to do
so, and when they did get here, showed an
energy and courage In the pursuit of the
retreating foe, which wouId do credit to
any officer or soldier. But there were 9th.
ers higher in authority, who showed much
less sympathy for US and courage to de-
!fend us. beggedfof the authorities at
.Galiipplis the morning before the fight, and
offered the most ample security for few
slsn nhsste detSnd oarssIEes, but were told
shat red tape " ould NOT allow.
The Casualties on onr side considering
the duration of the fight were remarkably
small, viz: Lieut.. Hawkins severely woun-
ded, two killed, 13 principally from the
hospital taken prisoners aud paroled reb-
ell loss said to be % killed, 25 wounded, 81
prisoners, among which are Lieut., Col.
Samuels, 2 Captains, 2 Lieutenants and
one Surgeon. We have thus given you
what we regard to be fair statement of
these battles. Respectfully Yours,
B. j. REDNoHD