Year: 1861

SOUTHERN ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF CAR
sIFEx FERRY.-From the editorial correspon-
dence of the Lynchburg (Va.) Republican, Of
Sept. 1lth, we extract the following statement
with regard to the late engagement at Carni-
fax Ferry:


On Tuesday morning Col. McCauslin's regi-
meat, which had been down at Summerville as
our advance, was driven In, and the enemy
encamped IA miles distant from US. We ex-
pected him to drive in our pickets on Tuesday
night and attack as on Wednesday morning,
but contrary to these expectations he forced
his march and drove in our pickets at o'clk K
Tuesday. Our line of battle was at once formed
behind our breastworks, and scarcely had all
our forces been placed in position, before the
enemy was seen swarming in the woods from
one end Of our lines to the other. He ap-
preached with great deliberation and frmness,
and his central column emerged from the woods
and above the hills, 200 yards in front, Just l6
minutes after 3 o'clock. He approached us
from this point in double-quick time, evidently
intending to force our works at the point Of
the bayonet. At the first crack of our rides,
the gallant Colonel, who led In front of his
men on a splendid black charger, fell dead to
the earth, while the head Of his column re-
coiled in utter confusion. The Colonel's horse,
as if unconscious of the fall of bis rider dashed
up to our embankments around them into our
camp, and, from the inscriptions on the mount
ings of his pistols, proved to be Col. VIM. III,
Ly tells, Of Cincinnati. saw the daring officer
fall from his horse, and he was certainly one
Of the bravest Of the brave, for he sought "the
bubble reputation" at the very cannon mouth.
The eneBy's columns now opened upon up
along the whole Of our center and right, and
for an hour the rattle Of muskstry and the
thunder of artillery was incessant and terrible.


At first, the range Of both their small arms
and artillery was very bad, shooting over our
heads. The range Of the cannon was very bad,
for while their balls cut of the tops and split
open the giant oak in our encampment, their
shells, with few exceptions, burst high in the
air, and full 6fty yards In our rear But when
they come to the last charge they had gotten
the range far better, and their balls began to
pillow up our embankments, while their shells
broke directly over US in every direction, and
with terrible fury.


We did not lose a single man killed, nor
more than ten wounded.


The battle had ragged but twenty minutes
when our gallant General was very painfully
wounded in the right arm, the ball entering
near the elbow and passing out near the wrist,
without breaking any bone. We retired him
a short distance under the hill, and had the
wound dressed by Surgeon Gleaves, and in ten
minutes he was again moving along our lines,
encouraging the men by his presence and his
voice At later stage of the fight MIME
ball tore through the lapel of his coat, and
another through the csntle Of his saddle. In
deed, it is the wonder Of all Of US how he es-
capped death. None but his staff and surgeon
knew he was wounded until the close of the
fight He is now suffering much pain.


Gen. Floyd's tent, from which foated our
glorious asg, was completely riddled with the
balls Of the enemy.


At the close of the fight, council of war was
held and upon our knowledge Of the enemy's
strength, together with the information we
received frem our prisoners it was determined
TO retire all our forces to the south side of
Gsuley, and not hazard an attack the next
morning.


Our force was only ZOO men, and while we
had strong reason to believe that we could
maintain our position even against such terri
BILE odds, We did not deem it prudent to hazard
30 much.


We had dispatched Gen. Wise, in the morn
ing, for reinforcements, and he had declined
to send them for fear of an attack upon him by
Gen. Cox. We had also sent couriers for the
North Carolina and Georgia regiments to come
up, but it was impossible for them to reach US
in time to support US.


We are now pitching our tents at this place,
on the main Charleston road, about Is miles
from Gaulsy Bridge, and 55 miles west Of
Lewisburg.


Gen. Wise is enoamped at Dogwood Gap, q
few miles above US, while portion of his force
holds the Hawks Nest below US.