The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-06-28

about J. 800 men tinfantry)-two regiments, two
mountain howitZers, and about $50 cavalry. The
force / led against him numbered about ZOO IN
fantry, three batteries and about 100 cavalry.
Ny chance OF success was good, provided could
surprise the enemy and get into position. inns i
succeeded in doing far beyond my expectation.
Most OF his picizcts captured, and attained
without firing shot, That position IN front OF
LewisbuT which would have selected.
The enemy retired 10 a range Of hills, oorre-
spending in hight, on the west side OF the town
As my regiment and batteries arrived they were
deployed a. follows:
FiHuey's battalion on the left the 10Th regiment
In te center and the 22d Va. on the right; Lieut.
Col Cooks battalion OF disnounted men, Sth Va
Cav. rs he reserve.
While deployng and getting my batteries into
I position, the enemy, evidently IN order TO cover
the retreat Of his wagons, threw forward his small
est regiment sending oHc-ba!! TO tic Tisht ana the
other 20 the Lett 90 The main approach 10 inc tohI
advanced 10 meet him. directed I.eut-Col.
Finney. commanding battalion. to occupy small
! body Of oak timber ia doing this Col. Flnney had
\ 10 cross :. wlieatfieij. Tie enemy, numbering
only three companies opened upon Ills battalion a
4 very severe lire. which p.sslbiy cGmPeiied ms
command 10 fall back. At this time the left OF the
enemy was in full retreat.
One Of those ctlseiess panics, for which there IS
! no accounting, seized upon my command VIC
! tory was III nay grasp, instead OF which nave 10
4 admit a most disgracciul retreat.
Tie field officers, among whom none were more
4 conspicuous than the gallant Lieut.-Col. Finney,
I as well as some few Captains, threw themselves
( between the enemy and .lIeir Tetreatng men, but
Z threats aud persua-ous were alike unavailinG.
The result j., we mourn Inc JOSS q many u bIaSe
officer
The only excuse that can be offered for the dis
| graceful behavior Of three regiments and batteries
is that they are filed with c0nscripts and newly
Offered under the election system.
i cannot vet ascertain exact loss. but VIII
/ furnish you reports a my earliest convenience
By far tbe greater portion O. the casualties were
I among the offcers-a consequence Of the panic.
1 do not wish to be understood as shifting the re
sponsibility Of what has occurred upon the shout
ders Of my troops for a General IS the recipient
Of honors gained, 50 he should bear bis proportion
OF the result Of the disaster. ] simply give you a
plain statement Of facts apparent 10 ali present.
! / move tomorrow or next day 10 my original
position at The Nasrows, as the tents OF my com
mand are there.
have the honor 70 be, etc,
II. HETH, Brgadier- General.
Maj.-Gen. W. ". LoRIvG,
Com'd'g Dept Of Southwest Virginia.
have given these reports Uerjatim ct itera
TIM that there might not be cause on the par
Of any one to feel they were garbled. If there
are reports lolIiciai) of other commanders en-
gagged In the battles l have not seen or hearC
OF them, but shall be pleased to receive a copy
l recently met and formed the acquaintance 0
a very gentlemanly and intelligent man wht
was formerly a Captain IN the 22d Va, anC
who participated in the battle. He told III
that they had ne other idea than that Of ami
hilating Us as 4 command; and, speaking 70
the 22d Va, that they would have whipped u
{36th Ohio had we fought like men, instea'
Of devils" The Captain has promised 10 writ
up the battle from the Confederate side. tina
we may see ourselves, in this instance, as 9th
ers saw US.