Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1884-06-14

| . ~N-->- ~@aO WV S@AN OAAAO
means of distinguishing their true po-
sition. Col. Savage ordered a charge.
With his shrill and commanding
voice he gave the command, "Charge
the rascals and pack them off on your
bayonetsW The order was no sooner
given than executed with a will. The
men raised the old rebel yell that
echoed along the valley for miles.
The Yankees retreated in hot haste
through the field at the foot of the
hill, with the old 10th at their heels.
The Sth came on as fast as the nature
of the position would allow.
The Yankees retreated to the Run
about the middle of the valley, about
three hundred yards distant. The
Run being very narrow and having
dirt banks, was swollen by the night
rains and the banks were soft and
slippery. In attempting to jump the
Run many would light on the brink
of the opposite bank, and slip down
into the water to their armpits, and
were thus made prisoners.
AS soon as the Yankees passed
Becky's Run they fell back upon their
main line and the fight was over.
The Federal loss was eight or ten
killed and about eighteen prisoners.
The Confederate loss was one man
killed, private Alpha Martin, of Capt.
Meadows company, and one or two
slightly wounded. Mr.. Martin was
a gallant soldier and a splendid fell
low. His comrades all respected and
loved him and his loss was deeply re-
GREETED. He was the first man of the
10th Tennessee who fell upon the field
of battle. This was the first time the
regiment was ever under fire, and
the men acted bravely.
The skirmish was a small affair
compared with other engagements.
1t did not exceed ten minutes dura-
ton, though hasty retreat was all
that prevented a general engagement
with the odds all against us.
The brigade was withdrawn up
Becky's Run, and the whole Yankee
force had come out from the works
to the top Of the ridge where we were
stationed but few minutes before.
The men were unable to recover their
baggage, which they dropped in the
first of the charge, as the enemy was
now on the ground from our rear.
The Federals mentioning this circum.
stance exaggerated the defeat of Gen,
Lees campaign and gave it the APP,
pearance of a route. The Confeder.
ates threw down their baggage in the
charge and not in the retreat.
The brigade proceeded up the val.
ley for while and turning to the
right marched about eight miles tC
the top Of a high mountain whose
sides and base were covered with
meadow and fields. This was the
possession Of wealthy farmer anC
stock raiser. Here the men weresup
piled with beef of the best quality
but without bread or salt. AS the
men were hungry as well as weary
they broiled their beef upon the coal'
and ate it. The brigade rested here
during the night and till the after
noon of the following day, when they
} marched to a spring on the bench O
the mountain, and on the day follow
ing took position in Tygart's valley
near the very point where the picket
had been captured on the 18th. A
heavy guard was placed round thu
brigade to prevent surprise, and de
tail was sent on horseback to thu
wagon train to get bread for the men
The attempt upon Cheat Mountain
having failed, Gen. Lee resolved t.
| renew the expedition, and on the l4tl
Of September issued the following or
der to his troops:
, HEADQUARTERS, VALLEY RIVER
VA, Sept. l4th, lS6l.-The forceC
reconnaissance of the enemy's posi-
ton, both at Cheat Mountain Pas
and on Valley River having beer
completed, and the character of tn,
, natural approaches and the nature o
the artificial defenses exposed, tn,
Army of the Northwest will resum,
its former position and at such tim
and in such manner as Gen. LOrinj
, shall direct, and continue its prepare
tons for further operations. TIL
Commanding General experience
much qualification at the cheerfulnes
and alacrity displayed by the troop
in this arduous operation. TIL
promptitude with which they sur
mounted eveFy difficulty, driving il