Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-05-27
MARMADUKE JOHNSON,
THE FIGHT NEAR LEwIsBURG.

LEwIsBURG, May goth, 1858.
To tie Editor of The Wig:
When the 22d Virginia regiment which bad been stay
w at Lewsburg during the latter part Of the winter and
early part of the.sprng ordered away IN the drec
ton of Beverly "Edgars Battalion" ordered there
10 take its place Il was then the only force left to guard
the town and county, except company Of cavalry,
engaged as scouts. On Friday the LIST OF May, intor
nston was received about one o'clock P. H., by Col
Edgar that large cavalry force OF the enemy was APP
prosching from the Kanawha Valley, and would, from
The CELEBRITY Of their movements probably reach him
that night He promptly sent out scouts to ascertain
the certainty Of the report and about IL o'clock, posi-
i've information was received Of the rapid approach OF
the enemy and that before day he would almost GER
tsinly be attacked Colonel Edgar thereupon promptly
marched his men about 500 in ALI out about two miles
an the Kaua4ha road selected his ground and placed
men in position await the approach of the enemy
One eompany was placed the Blue Sulphur Springs
road TO avoid q flank movement. They were, eonse-
ouentlv not in the battle, aud the others we're divided
sD naeed on the respective sides Of the road. The
Colonel taking command the north, and Major Wood
pm on the southsde they reached the place selected
for the battle in time to throw some distractions
IN The road 10 cause pause in the advance Of the
enemy. The night was as bright as a full moon could
NILE IL They were not kept long in suspense for
sbont one o'clock enemy approached laughing
ar31aIking in the merrest err evidently medita-
ting SURPRISE upon little battalion, and jublant
over cir anticipated success. They consisted o. be-
- q, Ave aud tx hundred cavalry under tie COM
rsn6 of Colonel Paxton. When they came to a point
,esr ooposte our little band Of heroes, perfect
,re m Of fire was poure upon en- cutting down men
s5 horses that fell proDiscuousy together. They at
tsnnted 20 rally, and did finally succeed in doing So
br not until our men had time to recharge their guns
n5 when they appeared again. to break their lines and
8,nk them our men poured into their lines another vol
lev of shot aad again arother, the enemy firing all the
time und eds Of carbines and reYol ers not one of
- ion took effect; not one Of our cit killed
Or woundel After the third fire, the bugle sound
al ana Z enemy ew of to await the approach Of
day When day me our Little party expected a re-
newal of the attack and ade the best preparation they
could 70 meet it. The enemy however, sent fsg of
tr,ce Cor cave to bury his dead which was granted
mil n o'clock By that time he had removed his dead
and rounded. and was on his way to KanaEha and so
~ hattie ended The tua los Of the enemy could
mot be accurately ascertained bat Of the officers,
o. the surgeon who was LEFT to take charge OF the
ounded stated that the killed, wounded and prisoner
srount 10 seventy and ere only four prisoners
taken This little battle OF the brig test gems of
the war Colonel Edgar and his cannot receive too
much Draise for cir coolne and galantry and the
Good Judgment displayed in selecting the ground and in
conda, t. battle They had everY assurance be-
fore the bat le was Taged T. at the enemys force was
two TO Que of theirs They were like the three hun.
dred Spartans who entered XerXes ca p-they could
NOT retreat 1t was a case OF victory death. There
was no chance for successful retreat aud his they knew
before they elected to wage the battle They saved
Lewisburg from being sacked perhaps burnt and the
country from ike fate
The next day strong reniorcements came but the
work was done >, Z.