Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-07-28
THE FIGHT AT SMOKERS GAP.

SMOKERS FERRY, (VA.) July 30, 1864
The forces under Major Gen. Wright have pursued
Early and Breckenridge from Washington to this place,
sometimes diminishing with their guard which proved
TO have been kept twenyfour hours 10 the of the
main body for purposes of observation.
1t invariably fed when attacked When Purcels-
ville miles south Of Smokers Gap Duties cavalry,
of Gen. Crooks command, upon their trains and
captured eighty two of their wagons with but slight loss
Up at the mouth of the Gap he had serious time,
and Lost few Crook then brought up his cavalry
and passing through the Gap reached the ferry, which
was strongly protected, that he could not cross
The next day Gen. Wright came up with some Of his
troops, and determined to attempts crossing sut
cienty at least to develop their strength He did so and
under of artillery FIRE crossed several regiments
which maintained their ground manfully for time
but just reinorcements about TO join them they
back the right of the line being in confusion
1t was now night, and renewal of the attempt
could not be made until morning Gen. Wright then be-
gan to to divide his eneys force and his atten
ton when he could easily have destroyed him. Instead Of
succeeding in this he found that Early had received news
from which together with the chances of being thrash
cd by Wright made him pack up and leave at double quick
in the direction of Strasburg Geo Wright crossed the
river and proceeded few miles towards Wnche ster but
learning nothing to change his mind to the direction the
enemy had taken he countermarched his forces in ODE
dience to 0rders
Among the casualties on the 18TH at Island ford were
Col Washburne, ll6th Ohio wounded; Col Frost 18th
Virginia. wounded IN the bowels and Lieut. Col Murray
9th New York heavy artillery serving as infantry miss
ing and known to be severely wounded The whole loss was
three hundred men. The enemy's oss Eve hundred
by their own statements.
The annexed letter. which we End 10 the Wheeling In
egencer Of Monday last gives fuller particulars of the
fight at Smokers Gap Monday the 18th instant than
we're embodied in the above letter
HEADQUARTERS 18th Regt W. pa Voinnteer Tnfantrp
NfarS IuLU
On Monday, July 18th, the regiment moved from Pur-
celvie Loudoun county, to Smokers Gap, some seven
burned wagons dead mules, and the other debris Of
the rebel army which had passed on Saturday
About four o'clock p. NJ filed right and went some
distance down the Shenandoah river to endeayor to effect
crossing The usual ford the stream running along the
immediate foot of the mountain, occupied by the
bells, advantage posted. At the point where the
General decided to wade administers advanced
and drove the enemys sbapbooters the opposite bank
away The water waist deep Across this our bare.
legged division about fonr thousand strong waded form
ing double line the other side with skirmshers well
advanced. The first line in wheat field protected
by rise in the ground The second line was the edge
of river bank behind stone fence In this line our re.
eiment placed.
Soon the enemy advanced in force Our first line being
out anked and slightly enfaded by the rebel skrmshers
broke and through the second IL not to be wonder
ed at that the first line broke under cross-fre But after
breaking they fled sbamefuy through the second line and
rushed mady down into the river many never look
for the ford at which they crossed plunged in drown
VI course many brave men e into the second line and
NAMED but organization the rect fed and came not
back Under this the second line wavered The Johnnes
shouted and advanced Some fifteen hundred of our dis
mounted cavalry Of all regiments, armed infantry
posted in our line, and immediately regmentsl right
These flew peilme over the river with first ne
firing shot 1t is Bull Run panic, and if our line does
not check the rebels it will be Balls Bluff enacted
being shot drowned in the river. They pour
the stone fences and heads like an nundaton
Except the dastardy cavalry the line stands firm az
rock The rebels shout charge resbout and recharge
but only to the edge Of the rise tty yards in front
Of get sweetened (sugar Of lesd to drop their
faces and daring rise again to crawl back 10 the high
grass Thus fight till dark 0utfisnked BY superior
numbers right and lett Finally ste. of their repues
the rebels retire TO tho woods In their For some
reason our deem advisable to retire instead
Of reinforcing u.s.
Our whole loss including those drowned in the panic
missing the ford will be about four hundred men The
loss of the enemy greater from the fact that they
the assaiants and exposed Owing to the excellent
cover behind which regiment fought it loses slightly
Tho 18th was the lst regiment TO recross and the
praise paid them by the broad collars for GOODNESS and
steadinoss. Col. Thoburn commanded during the 6eht
He exposed himself wherever the was and there
directed matters in person. Being all the time mounted
and therefore mark Ia strange he was not struck His
Aduant Lieut. Rider Of the l4th Virginia and an orderly
STOCK Cormsk, Of the LIST Virginia were both wounded