The National tribune., 1907-05-02
MAP OF THE WEST VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN.

MAP OF THE WEST '
the mountain some miles in the rear
of Pegram. Hart thought he could
guide a column to his fathers farm by
a circuit around Pegram's left flank.
After some persuasion Mcclellan agreed
to let Rosecrans take his brigade Of
about 1000 men with a troop Of cavalry
and make the effort to reach the point
designated and attack. At the sound
of this Mcclellan was to attack in front
with all his remaining force.
Rosecrans's Flank Movement.
Returning at once to his camp. Rose
Grams issued orders for the troops to
parade at daybreak the next morning
in silence, without their knapsacks, with
one days rations in their haversacks
and their canteens filled with water.
Col. Pegram had kept close watch of
Rosecrans's camps, and when. by mis-
take, the assembly was sounded in the
10th Ohio's camp at midnight and lights
flared up, Pegram thought that the at
tack was about to begin, but that 1t
would be made on his right flank, where
he prepared to receive 1t. The
column moved promptly at daybreak,
with Burdsall's Cavalry leading, and
followed in order by the 8th, 10th and
18th Ind. and 18th Chic, numbering
! altogether 1.917 fighting men. Gen.
Rosecrans, accompanied by Col. Lander
and young Hart, led the way thru the
painless forest, over rocks and ravines.
keeping far away from Pegram's posi-
ton as 20 be out of sight and using no
ak to clear the way. A heavy rain set
in as the march began and lasted until
II o'clock, but the eager men pushed
forward with remarkable energy over
all obstacles, and after eight hours Of
81 An
ing the crest Of Rich Mountain. There
they lay down for brief rest, while
Rosecrans and Lander examined the
country. Pegram seems to have sent
out an observation party, for az the
march was resumed the head of column
was fired into, and Serg't James A. Tag
CART, 10th Ind, was killed and Capt
Miller, Of the same regiment, wounded.
The column pushed on thru the dense
brushwood until it arrived at an open
space in front Of tho enemy's works,
when It received fire of cass shot and
shells. The regiments were hurriedly
placed into such positions as could be
found and returned the fire upon Pc
gram, who was now hurrying his own
troops over to meet the enemy. He
had seen the danger Of a flank column
moralize 1t before 1t could form line.
There was sharp firing for a few min
utes, and that of the 18th Ohio aroused
general admiration. 1t came up into
line and fired two solid volleys, which
| apparently had a crushing effect. Rose
Grams realized the importance Of keep
ing his raw, unframed troops in motion,
| and ordered charges all along the line,
before which Pegram's forces gave way
and fed In disorder, leaving the can
| non, dead and wounded.
Garrett had hurried up a regiment
to Pegram's support, but 1t only arrived
in time to receive the fugitives and re-
treat with them to Beverly. Not know
ing what forces he might have to en-
counter. Rosscrans prudently halted his
| men, recalled the pursuit and went into
bivouac. The two brass guns captured
were put ip position to resist any re-
| turn blow from the enemy. Rosecrans
had captured 21 prisoners, two brass
six-pounders, 80 stand of arms and
some corn and provisions, with a loss on
his side of IL killed and ~ wounded.
ates on the field, but could not ascertain
the number Of killed. He estimated it
to be 1876 from the graves found scat
tered over the mountain. The next
morning Rosecrans felt his way care
fully down the mountain to Beverly,
which he took possession of without re-
sistance. capturing 63 prisoners. mainly
/
four caissons, 100 rounds Of ammuni-
ton, two kegs and one barrel Of pow
der, two stand of colors, 204 tents and
a large amount Of clothing and tools,
wagons. horses and mules.
| Mcclellan Does Nothing.
| The opening guns Of the conflict were
plainly heard in McClellan's camp, and
he formed his troops for the attack.
Then the long continuance of the can
nonade and other signs made him think
that Rosecrans had been repulsed. The
messengers which the latter had sent
did not reach him, and he left Rose
Grams to fight out his own battle, tho he
should have greatly feared that his
| small force might be overwhelmed from
the shorter interior lines Of Garnett.
Toward evening Mcclellan began to cut
q road thru to q point where he could
place IL guns to overlook Pegram's po-
sition, but he seems to have changed
his mind about this. and at nightfall
withdrew all his men, beyond Roaring
men succeeded in passing around Rose
crans's right flank during the night and
escaping to Beverly. Garnett learned
toward nightfall that Pegram had been
swept from Rich Mountain, and that
4 his own rear was greatly endangered
by the advance upon Beverly. About
nightfall he began evacuating his posi-
i ton and started for Beverly. When
within Ave miles Of that place he re-
| ceived incorrect information that the
Union troops had occupied the place,
1 whereupon he turned back, and. leaving
the turnpike at Leadsville, he started of
on rough country road over Cheat
| Mountain into the Cheat River Valley
Il Ia hnt @AAH 80