and realizing large and unreasonable profits. Í deem it my duty to protest, in this public manner, against such conduct, and pronounce it unpatriotic and wicked; and I hereby notify all persons authorized to make purchases for the State of Alabama, not under any circumstances to buy at the unreasonable prices which may be exacted by such persons. flanks of our position, and evidently could make | pose of monopolizing the trade in such articles, nothing of it, and "no wonder," as Prof. Snead remarked, "since it has no flanks at all." The guns were only advanced to avenge the casualties which befell our men, firing a few rounds and then retiring. For instance, when the ranger fell, a six-pounder suddenly advanced along a ridge where a gun could never have been expected, and drove the enemy from a stable, laying out four of them. In sight, on another occasion, seven were dropped before the howitzer. A company of the enemy's reconnoitring, and commanded by a mounted officer, came on a picket of the University company. The sentry shot the mounted officer down, received the volley of the company and retired unhurt. Major Lawson, of the Second regiment, having seized a rifle to surprise one of the enemy's scouts, was himself surprised by another who sent a shot through his coat. The major, however, avenged himself on this interloper by shooting him dead. On the evening of the 24th Gen. Lee arrived with his regiments and two pieces of cannon. Late on the 25th Gen. Wise received a communication from the Secretary of War, requiring him to report immediately in Richmond. Having ordered Col. Henningsen to accompany him, he left Camp Defiance for that city the same evening, with Majors Duffield and Stanard, Captains Farish and Sneed, and Lieut. Wise, of his staff. The position at Camp Defiance, when Gen. Wise left, was defended by about five thousand five hundred men, with eleven pieces of cannon, (which in twenty-four hours would be reinforced to near seven thousand men,) commanded by Gen. Lee in person, who has vindicated Gen. Wise's military judgment by determining to try conclusions with the enemy in the position selected by the latter. They are doubtless impregnable, even by a force of twenty thousand men. It can hardly, however, be anticipated that the enemy, even though reinforced as ascertained by three thousand men, will venture to attack General Lee with his present force, after hesitating to attack Gen. Wise when he had only one thousand seven hundred soldiers. If Gen. Lee should fall back, it will only be on account of demonstrations on his rear. Gen. Floyd was at Meadow Bluff with one thousand five hundred men. Doc. 66. Those who would take advantage of the necessities of the country and its army, to enrich themselves by such means, cannot be regarded as its friends, and will meet with a merited retribution in due season. I have no condemnation or rebuke for merchants who are engaged in legitimate trade, and only exact just and reasonable profits. They subserve a purpose of unquestionable usefulness, by procuring and supplying the things which the people and the Government need; and they manifest alike their patriotism and integrity by continuing to pursue a course of legitimate trade, uninfluenced by the opportunities for monopoly and extortion. It is due to the community which has patronized such merchants, as well as to the country, that they should sell their merchandise only to persons needing them for consumption, and in such quantities as may be needed for that purpose; thus contributing to defeat the designs of the harpies, who would speculate upon the necessities of the times. Geo. S. Hartsuff, Asst. Adjt.-General: GOVERNOR MOORE'S PROCLAMATION. field's reserve and Bracken's Indiana Cavalry EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, MONTGOMERY, ALA., I HAVE Credible information that sundry persons, in the cities of Mobile and Montgomery, and other parts of the State, are buying up the limited supply of the articles which are indispensable for the subsistence, clothing, and maintenance of our soldiers and people, for the pur in all about five thousand. Millroy's Ninth Indiana drove in the enemy's advanced pickets, and deployed to our right, driving the enemy on that flank into his intrenchments. Kimball's Fourteenth Indiana was advanced directly to the enemy's front and right, to drive his advanced regiments from a position suitable for our artillery; this was soon done in gallant style, and our batteries promptly took their po sitions within about seven hundred yards of the intrenchments and opened fire. Some of the enemy's guns were visible and others concealed. We disabled three of his guns, made a thorough reconnoissance, and after having fully and successfully accomplished the object of the expedition, retired leisurely and in good order to Cheat Mountain, arriving at sundown, having marched twenty-four miles, and been under the enemy's fire four hours. The enemy's force was about nine thousand, and we distinctly saw heavy reinforcements of infantry and artillery arrive, while we were in front of the works. We took thirteen prisoners. The number of killed and wounded could not be accurately ascertained, but from those actually counted in the field, and estimated in the trenches which could be seen from the heights, it is believed the number reached at least three hundred. Our loss was surprisingly small-eight killed and thirty-two wounded, most of them slightly -the proximity of our batteries to the intrenchments causing many shots to pass over Very respectfully, &c., us. J. J. REYNOLDS, Brigadier-General Commanding. GEO. S. ROSE, Asst. Adjt.-Gen. LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED. HOWE'S BATTERY.-Killed-Francis Enwright, private.-Wounded, Michael F. Andrews, Lance Corporal; Cornelius Daniels, private; Andrew Dougherty, severely, since died; George L. Rice, private, severely; John Ledwidge, private, severely. OFFICIAL REPORT BY COLONEL KIMBALL. CHEAT MOUNTAIN SUMMIT. VA., October 4th, 1861. Brigadier-Gen. J. J. Reynolds, Commanding: SIR: In obedience to your orders, the Fourteenth regiment Indiana Volunteers proceeded from this point at 1 o'clock A. M., on the 3d inst., as part of the force in making the armed reconnoissance of the enemy's position at Green Brier River, near the Alleghany Mountains. My command, on arriving near the front of the enemy's position, took post in their front, near the main road, and awaited your arrival. By your order, I deployed one company, (C) Captain Brooks, forward as skirmishers, to open up the way for a position for Loomis' Battery. They had proceeded only a few hundred yards, when they came in contact with the enemy's infantry, six hundred in number. I immediately ordered the rest of my companies forward, and deploying left companies over mountains, which were occupied by the enemy; my whole command was soon engaged, and I am proud, rejoiced to know that they drove the enemy back. As the whole of this action was under your immediate observation, I need not tell you how TWENTY-FIFTH Oпo.- Wounded, John Ever- gallantly my men behaved. Having succeeded ingham, private, Company E, slightly; Alex. in clearing the point, Captain Loomis soon bad Pemberton, private, Company E, slightly; his guns in battery, and opening on the enemy. Michael Mulgrove, Company E, slightly I then moved my regiment forward, one comTWENTY-FOURTH Оnо.-Killed, John Rid-pany supporting Howe's battery, in the road, dle, Company B, by a six-pound shot.- Wound-iny right resting in a meadow, directly in front ed, John Bailey, Company B, private; Christ. Reiner, Company B, private; and William F. Fuller, Company F, private, all slightly. NINTH INDIANA.-Killed, Albert I.Abbott, private, Company C; Lewis E. Smith, private, Company H.-Wounded, James Arrick, Sergt., Company D; Murray McConnell, private, Company E; Thomas S. Bull, Sergeant, Company F; Henry Bishop, private, Company G; John H. Natus, private, Company F; Isaac S. Bryant, Corporal, Company E. FOURTEENTH INDIANA.-Killed, Amos Boyd, private, Company C.— Wounded, Captain S. A. Foote, Company E, slightly; John D. Lyon, Corporal, Company E; James S. Jackson, private, Company D; J. Urner Price, First Sergeant, Company A, since dead; Harrison Myers, private, Company H, since dead; Asa Smith, private, Company K. SEVENTEENTH INDIANA-Killed, Ezekiel Duke, private, Company B. SEVENTH INDIANA.-Wounded, First Lieutenants Alexander B. Patterson, slightly; Alf. James, private, Company A; Cyrus Guyringer, private, Company H; James Lanesbury, pri of the enemy. At this time, Captain Daum brought one gun forward and took position near my left. He behaved with great gallantry, attending his gun in person, doing good execution amid a perfect storm of shot and shell. I directed my line up the hill, and to the rear of Daum's piece. We occupied this position during the whole cannonading, the men being exposed to the continuous fire from the enemy's batteries. And, General, I am proud to say my men stood firm. They had never before been subjected to the hail storms of ball and shell, yet they did not waver. Our position was held until we were ordered to deploy to the enemy's right of the mountain as skirmishers. I moved with seven companies, the other three were deployed over the summit, directly over the face of the mountain, exposed to the fire from the enemy's batteries. Here I was halted near the enemy's right by other regiments which were on my left. Here I formed a junction with Colonel Wagner, and while endeavoring to move forward, we were met by a portion of one of the regiments returning. We remained in this position for one half hour, awaiting the movement of the regiment in our advance; but seeing all of our forces being drawn off, I marched my command, in good order, back to its former position in the road, and retired in front of the enemy's heavy fire. General, you witnessed the conduct of my command during most of the day, and it is unnecessary for me to praise them to you. All I will say is, that the Fourteenth were true soldiers, and acted up to their profession, and in accordance with their motto, which is, "Keep cool, and a steady fire." I must not fail to mention that my Major, W. Harrow, and Adjutant John P. Blinn, were with me, and acted with great gallantry and bravery, and deserve the highest praise. My lieutenant-colonel, owing to severe sickness, did not arrive until toward the withdrawal of the forces. I have to report the loss of three killed and four wounded. Two of those reported killed, died after we returned to camp. One Sergeant, J. Urner Price, Company A, lost his left leg by a fraction of a shell. Price was a noble fellow, and died a Christian, as he had lived one. The other, Harrison Myers, of Company H, had a spherical-case shot in his thigh, which was extracted, but he died immediately afterwards. Amos Boyd, of Company C, was killed on the field by the explosion of a shell from the enemy's guns. I recapitulate my loss as follows: KILLED-J. Urner Price, Company A; Amos Boyd, Company C; Harrison Myers, Company H. WOUNDED-Captain L. A. Foote, Company A, and private John D. Lyon, Company E. General, we are ready again, and hope that the Fourteenth will ever do as well as they have done heretofore. Very respectfully and obediently, CINCINNATI "TIMES" NARRATIVE. CHEAT MOUNTAIN SUMMIT, Oct. 4. We have had a fight, and a splendid one. Although intended only as a reconnoissance in force, it resulted in a handsome achievement. Early yesterday morning, Gen. Reynolds and staff, escorted by Brackan's cavalry, arrived in camp, and shortly after an order to prepare two days' rations created excitement and cheerfulness in camp. The men were confident they were to have a fight, and it put them in the best of good humor. Knapsacks were repacked, haversacks and cartridge-boxes filled, and arms ovehauled and brightened to the highest polish. Each regiment to be used on the occasion received marching orders, all of which were for the night. The men were ordered to retire early, and get sleep, but little sleep was there in camp that night. THREE O'CLOCK AT NIGHT. Atten o'clock, "Hail Columbia" floated sweetly over the camp. It came from the quarters of the Thirty-sixth Ohio, Col. Ford, encamped on the peak of one of the summits of the camp. A few minutes after, the heavy tramp of men was heard, and the Thirty-second were seen in the dark, moving along in the advance of the movement. It was accompanied by a detachment of cavalry, and a piece from Daum's Virginia battery. They were guided by A. F. Nicholas, the brave and daring Illinois scout. Then there was quiet in camp, but not a long quiet. At half-past eleven, first one hillside and then another poured forth its column of armed men. A line was formed on the road, and at midnight precisely the Ninth Indiana, Colonel Millroy; the Fourteenth Indiana, Col. Kimball, and the Twenty-fourth Ohio, Col. Ammon, moved off in the order named. A half hour later, and the Seventeenth Indiana, Lieut.Col. Wilder commanding; Capt. Loomis' celebrated Michigan artillery; the Fourteenth Indiana; Howe's battery of regular artillery; a detachment of cavalry, and one gun of Daum's Virginia battery, rattled down the mountain. Then there was quiet again on the mountain, during which your reporter was enabled to take a short nap in the open air, before a log fire. It was nine o'clock when the strains of a soft call from a cornet, and the instant uprising of ten thousand men, disturbed my sleep. In the dim light of glimmering camp fires, I could see companies forming here and there, and marching with great regularity over the broken and rocky mountain side. In a few minutes the Fifteenth Indiana, Colonel Wagner, and the Twenty-fourth Ohio, Lieutenant-Col. Richardson commanding, were marching toward the enemy. These two regiments formed the rear of the column, and were to be stationed as a reserve, at the scene of conflict. All the regiments had been greatly weakened by sickness and hard service; and the force which marched, counting artillery, cavalry, &c., was less than six thousand men. The batteries comprised thirteen pieces. Since the flight of the rebels from Tygart Valley, they have had an advanced camp on the bank of the Green Brier, at a point where the Staunton turnpike ascends the Alleghany Mountains. In the late advance of Lee, a considerable force was detailed from that camp, and, as I have informed you, went back to it in a hurry. They have not advanced since. Our scouts have, from time to time, reported that the post was being fortified. The point is about thirteen miles from this camp, and about the same distance from Monterey, where it is understood there is a large rebel force. The opinion has been entertained that there were additional camps between Green Brier and Monterey, from which the forOfficers and men shared alike in the excite-mer could be readily reinforced, and to conment, and the gladness at the prospect of a firm this opinion was one of the objects of this fight. movement. The scouts supposed that five VOL. III.-Doc. 12 thousand or six thousand were encamped at Green Brier. Colonel Ford's orders were to proceed about six miles to the Gum road Station, with a force, and Duam's gun, at the junction, and picket the road, so as to prevent all possibility of a flank movement. The only trouble he had was with the detachment of cavalry, who accompanied him, and cowardly refused to take the advance. He reached the Gum road, and had his men all stationed, and admirably stationed, too, by daylight. listening to those whispers, lying on a wet log, holding my horse by the bridle, I fell fast asleep! The colonel had to give me a hard shake to get me awake when he was ready to move. I readily saw how it was that the exhausted soldier could lie down and sleep among the dead and dying. I know not how long we halted, but we had not proceeded much further, when welcome daylight appeared. We had just made the descent of the Cheat Mountain ridge, and were passing through a small farm and extensive deadening." We followed the valley until we reached the Gum road, where the Thirty-second Ohio was stationed, where we made another halt. In a few minutes, General Reynolds and his Staff, with a cavalry escort, who had left camp at daylight, came up and rode on. I joined that party, and moved at a swifter pace. Making a long but easy descent of another mountain, we soon came to the Green Brier. As we neared the bridge, we saw the body of one of Millroy's men lying in the bushes, just where he had fallen when shot by the rebel pickets. Col. Millroy's orders were to deploy skirmish-" ers in the advance from the Gum road, and drive in the pickets. He met with no opposition until he reached the first Green Brier bridge, just after daylight. A full company of rebels were stationed at the bridge, but on some account they were not seen until the enemy were aware of their advance, and fired at them at random. Two of Millroy's men fell one dead and the other severely wounded. Without waiting for orders our men dashed on to the bridge, pouring a volley into the picket guard; three rebels fell and the rest took to their heels. Our men took after them, both parties dropping knapsacks, blankets, &c., to accelerate their speed in the chase. An exciting race of about a mile and a half was had, but the rebels proved, as usual, the fleetest of foot, and escaped without further harm.-Millroy's men picked up numerous knapsacks, blankets, arms, &c., as trophies. Millroy, after driving in the pickets, was to remain a mile and a half from the enemy's fortification, the other forces to fall in his rear, and await the arrival of the General. I proceeded to the field of battle with the Fifteenth Indiana, Colonel Wagner leading the reserve. At three o'clock I was in the saddle, and beside the gallant colonel. The regiment was soon formed, and this order given― "Attention, Fifteenth! Let your captains do all the talking. Fifteenth, forward, march!" 66 They had a fight at the bridge," was the only remark, and we passed on. At a farm-house near the bridge, we came across the rear of the column ahead of us, with piles of knapsacks in an adjoining field, left there under guard, the infantry thus relieving themselves in expectation of the fight. The General rode on to near the head of the column, where he obtained a distant view of the enemy's camp. Soon the order was given to forward. The rebel camp is located on a high steep elevation known as Buffalo Hill. It is located at a sharp turn of the road, and so situated that an attacking force had to come directly under the guns and intrenchments of the right of the camp, to obtain even a view of the left. The formation of the ground is particularly favorable for the formation of terraces, and the rebels had made good use of the advantage. Their defences rose one above the other, far up the hill, extending even into the forest above the camp. It was estimated from the number of tents, that ten thousand men held the posts. The sole attack contemplated was directly in front, with artillery, the infantry to be used merely to pro The night was to me fearfully dark, and I was uneasy as to my riding over a precipice, until I found my pony more trustworthy than myself. Down the mountain we marched in this terrible darkness, the whole column step-tect the batteries. ping with precise regularity. The tramp, tramp, tramp, tramp of over a thousand feet, all mov- a large infantry force three-fourths of a mile in ing as if by machinery, deadened all other sounds. Not a word was spoken by the men, as they moved at common time behind their silent leader. I was rather melancholy that morning, having been indisposed the day before, and while riding at the head of this silent column of armed men, in the heavy darkness, experienced a peculiar sensation. At a distance of three miles, a halt was ordered for rest. I dismounted, and lay down on a log, holding my horse by the bridle. I observed that even in the halt the men were obedient to the order of silence. Not a word was spoken above a whisper. While It was discovered that the rebels had placed front to dispute our approach. They lay in ambush beside a fence thickened with small trees to the right of the road, and in the timber on the hill-side to the left. On making this discovery, Colonel Kimball was ordered to clear the way for the artillery with the rugged Indiana Fourteenth. The boys received the order with a shout, and firing a volley into the ambush, rushed upon it with a wild cheer. The concealed enemy instantly took to their heels, some rushing across the valley, and others up the mountains on our left. The gallant Fourteenth, its ragged breeches flapping in the air, started up the mountains with a cheer, popping over the rebels at every crack. The Ninth Indiana, its colors flaunting beautifully above the green grass, rushed after those across the valley. A cheer went up from the whole line, as the ambushed rebels took to flight, the Hoosiers in purcuit. pieces would send forth a simultaneous roar, making the earth tremble, and the return fire seemed spiteful, as it whizzed the shot mostly over our heads. For thirty-five minutes every gun on our side was worked without cessation. Now a shell would go ringing through the air, The Fourteenth made sad work with the making a beautiful curve, and, dropping just on rebels on the mountain. Eighteen of them the spot intended, burst, and destroy every were found dead in one pile, and seven in anoth-thing for yards around. Of all the infernal er. They also captured several prisoners, and inventions of war, it is these shells. They tear took care of a few wounded. The Seventh came men and horses to tatters in an instant, as they near the retreating rebels on the opposite side fall whizzing among them. of the valley, and poured a raking fire into them as they sought a laurel cover. How many were killed and wounded there, the enemy must tell, for our boy did not search the laurel. In less than ten minutes the rebels were driven to their intrenchments. Loomis immediately moved rapidly forward, unlimbered his pieces, and gave them an invitation in the shape of a shell. The enemy immediately responded with pounders, all of which fell short of our battery. In the mean time Howe had discovered a favorable position very near to the enemy's first line of fortification, and, bold as a lion, dashed into it with his full artillery. The first shot from his battery was greeted by a shout from our infantry. Down with his single gun followed Howe, and in a few minutes-before, in fact, the retreating rebels had fairly reached the intrenchments our whole thirteen guns were banging murderous shot and shell at them. The rebels responded with seven guns. Loomis now as certained he could do better execution a little closer, and took position square in the valley, in full view of the whole opposing force. I at first took position on an eminence just in front of the reserve, and nearly a mile in the rear of our batteries; even there I could plainly perceive the white tents of the enemy, and see the shells whizzing through the air. Every crack of a gun rolled through the valleys, and reechoed upon the mountain sides. The reverberations were terrific, and the scene, even at the distance, one of exciting grandeur. After Loomis changed his position, I could see nothing but the white smoke rolling up against the breast of the mountains, nor hear any thing but the incessant roar of artillery. My reportorial inquisitiveness got the better of my timidity, and determining to have a closer and better view, I mounted, and rode nearer to the scene of strife; in fact, before I knew it I was upon the road nearly opposite Loomis' battery, with shell and shot flying over my head. But having confidence in the shelter of a high, rocky bank, I stood my ground, at least long enough to pick up a few items. The enemy's camp was in full view. His terraced battery was belching forth fire and smoke. Shot from our batteries were tearing up the ground all through the encampment, and shells were scattering destruction and insuring death. There was no cessation of the infernal roar of the artillery. Sometimes a half-dozen of our And as you hear their unmusical hiss coming toward you, you, if as green as I in military strife, will try to dodge the screeching devil. With the shell flew the round shot into the enemy's camp, and all about our batteries. With a whack they would strike the earth, and bore themselves into it like iron moles operated by steam. Such was the distant view of the picture. A little in advance of me, and on a line with our batteries, standing on a knoll, was the General, his countenance calm and indicative of satisfaction at the result. Around him, in the saddle, were his aids, one or more of whom were constantly dashing over the field to convey his orders. He was so near the enemy's camp that he could observe their movements with the naked eye. Several shells fell near him, but did not in the least disturb his composure. To my rear were the ambulances, with the surgeons, distinguished by green sashes, waiting to perform their duty. Some were very careful to remain out of harm's way, while others braved danger to search for the wounded. The ambulances were not long idle. First came a man carried on a blanket, writhing with pain. He had received a shot in his stomach. Next, another who had lost an arm, and was fainting from loss of blood. Then came three or four slightly wounded, leaning on the shoulders of their comrades. Not far from me, in a little ravine, lay three rebels, one dead, another dying, and a third slightly wounded. The latter was placed in an ambulance, and carried to our hospital. Away up the road, scattered on its sides, some sitting, some lying, were exhausted infantry men, most of whom seemed totally unconcerned as to the strife; and at other points of a viewing distance, groups of unengaged cavalry were viewing the strife with deep interest. For thirty-five minutes our batteries kept up an unceasing fire. First one, and then another rebel gun was dismounted, until only one remained. This was peppered with shell and shot, but we were unable to do more than slacken its fire. It was the only well served piece in the rebel fortifications, its shots doing all the artillery mischief to our side. When our shot became too hot for the gunners there, they would load the piece rapidly, fire, run under cover, remain there a few minutes, and then repeat the |