Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-07-25
THE nATTLn OF sNIoKER,s Gar.

THE BATTLH OF sNIOKER's GAP.
Letter from the 12th ReEimemt-List
of the KILLED, wounded aud Mis-
sing In that Regiment.
HEADQUARTERS 18th REGrMEST, W. VA.
VOLUNTEER INFANTRY, NEAR
SSIcKER's GAP, Va, July 81, 1864.
Editors Of Inteliigsncer:
On Monday, July 18th, the regiment
moved from PurcellVille, Loudon county,
to Suckers Gap, some seven miles. Along
the route we found the remains of several
burned wagons, some dead mules, and the
other debris of the rebel army, which had
passed on Saturday. About 4 o'clock P.
NJ, we filed right and went some distance
down the Shenandoah river to endeaVor TO
effect a crossing. The usual ford, the
stream running along the.immediate foot of
the mountsin, was occupied by the rebels
advautageously posted. At the point where
the General decided to wade over our skir-
mishers advanced and drove the enemy's
sharpsheo on the opposite bank, away.
The water was waist deep. Across this
our bare legged division, about 1000 strong
waded, forming double line on the other
side, with skirmishers well advanced. The
first line was in q wheat field protected by
rise in the ground. The second line was
on the edge OF the river bank behind stone
fence. In this line our regiment was
placed. Soon the enemy advanced in force
Our first line being out fanked and slight
ly enfiladed by the rebel skirmishers, broke
and ran through the second. 1t is not to
be wondered at that the first line broke
luuder a cross. fire. But after breaking they
fed shamefully through the second line
and rushed madly down into the river
where many, never looking for the ford al
which they had crossed, plunged in to
drown. 49,
OF course many brave men fell into the
second line and remained, but as an organ
ization the rest fed and came not back
Under this the second line Wavered. The
Johnnies shouted and advanced. Some
I 1900 of our dismounted cavalry OF all reg
iments, armed as infantry, were posted in
our line, and Immediately on our regimen
tai right These flew pell- NELL over the
river with our first line, never firing shot
It's Bull Run panic, and if our line does
not check the rebels, it will be Balls
Bluff re.enacted, our men being shot or
drowned in the river. They pour over the
stone fences and our heads like an inunda-
tiou. Except the dastardly cavalry the
line stands firm as q rock. The rebels
shout charge. re shout and re-charge, but
Yards in front of US to get sweetened, (su-
gar of lead,) to drop on their faces, and not
daring to rise again, to crawl back in the
high grass on their bellies. Thus we fight
till dark, oulfanked by superior numbers
right and left. Finally after one OF their
repulses the rebels retire to the woods In
| their rear. For some reason our Comman-
ders deem it advisable to retire instead of
reinforcing US. Our whole loss, including
those drowned, in the panic missing the
ford, will be about 400.
The loss of the enemy was greater, from
the fact that they were the assailants and
exposed. Owing to the excellent cover
behind which our regiment fought, it loses
slightly. The 18th was the last regiment
to recross, and the highest praise Is paid
them by the Broad Collars, for GOODNESS
and steadiness.
Col. Thoburn commanded during the
fight. He exposed himself wherever the
| fire was heaviest, and there directed mat
tiers in person. Being all the time mount
ed and therefore a mark, it is strange he
was not struck. His Adjutant, Lieut.. Ri
der, of the l4th Va, and an orderly, Stock.
Cormack, of the LIST Va, were both wound
ed. append list of the casualties:
Wouuded-Corp1 Mahlon Guerin, Co.
A, head, slight; P. NJ. @. Pelley, Co. A,
right cheek, severe, not dangerous; Geo.
McAtee, Co. E, right thigh, severe, not
dangerous; ]. B. Davis, Co. F, scalp,
slight; J. Mundy, Co. E, first two fingers
right hand off; Thos. Morgan, DO. A, scalp,
slight; Jacob Slime, Co. A, right elbow,
severe confusion; F. W. King, Co. A, right
shoulder, severe confusion by shell. John
Logsdon, Co. A, thigh slight; Sam'l Haw-
kius, head, severe confusion. Total, 10.
| Missing-Isaac Crook, Co. K; Samuel
Brown and John Mcknight, Co. A. C.