most of the companies, and four of them were sent in from the line and paid. About half-past eleven, Colonel Guppy ordered dinner prepared for his men, with a good cup of coffee for each, saying jocosely he could not ask his regiment to fight first-class on an empty stomach. He had his own dinner also prepared, and while we were partaking of it was in partic-ing to unlimber even, twice poured a storm of ularly good spirits. When nearly through, we heard sharp picket-firing far on the right, and in a few moments the roar of the battery, pitching shells into the woods. He left the table hurriedly, saying there might be something serious up, and went over to his men, who had just swallowed their coffee. and greeted them with a shower of bullets. They turned tail-to in a moment, what were left, and we had the consolation of seeing the tallest kind of a race, in which we were not partners. This check saved the train. The guns we are so much indebted to were Nimms's Massachusetts battery. It did wonders that day. that cloud break out of the woods into the field, it certainly looked as if the chances for going to Dixie were of the first class. It was the most exciting, not to say exhilarating, race I ever got caught in. Looking over into the field from the ambulance to see if there was a chance, we saw a battery gallop furiously up, and without waitshells into the advancing columns, and we had the satisfaction of seeing men and horses tumble in heaps. It was certain that without infantry support the cavalry would ride over the battery, and we were lost; but as the column of cavalry dashed madly forward and came in range, the guns vomited among them a storm of canister, As I stepped out of the tent, an orderly gal- and a regiment of infantry, which had been lying loped up to the Colonel, and the regiment imme-flat upon the ground invisible to us, jumped up diately moved off to the right. The roar of musketry and the cannon rapidly increased in volume, and the smoke drifted down upon us from the battery, about one hundred rods distant. At this time, General Washburn and staff galloped by near where I was standing, and went into the line of fire. The battery suddenly changed from shells to canister, and the mus- It was with a sense of terrible oppression about ketry broke out in great volumes of sound, com- the heart that I looked over at the little group pletely overpowering the noise of the cannon. I of the brigade, standing where they were when kept an anxious look upon the line of the Twen- we emerged from the woods, only organized and ty-third as it pushed rapidly forward along the in line-and thought of so many friends and acmargin of the prairie, finally breaking into a dou-quaintances in the Twenty-third that I had twenble-quick-formed suddenly a terrible shout ty minutes before seen disappear in a cloud of came back- -a burst of smoke, and the regiment smoke on the other side of the line of forest. disappeared from the scene. That some had fallen was certain-while the brigade had dwindled down a handful. Who were lost? I felt little consoled at the regiments of reserves hastening to their relief. It was too late. The battle was over; the firing had ceased, and at the distance of a mile and a quarter the rebels were plundering the camp. As they fell into line, however, they advanced into the woods, and the rebels took to their heels, not having time to destroy one half of what had been left on the ground. I turned about and instantly ordered my safe and army-chest loaded into an army-wagon, with whatever else could be tumbled in, and to leave the field, and my ambulance to be ready for instant departure. My associate, Major Brigdon, paying the second regiment to the right, I knew must be lost unless I could get him and his clerk into the ambulance, and I ran up the line, and fortunately was enabled to attract his attention in time. As I turned to make for the ambulance, I saw a vast line of cavalry sweeping down upon We waited over an hour in the road for news the camp, which had not an armed man in it to come in. I found it impossible to procure a saw them gobble up the pickets, and come on horse, or I should have gone back at once. First with the velocity of the wind. Our mule-team came a rumor that the brigade was all gobbled, was put to its highest speed, and fortunately though part of it was in plain sight; then that made the woods, here about eighty rods across, the Twenty-third Wisconsin, Sixtieth and Sixtybefore they could come up; but they sent their seventh Indiana, and Ninety-sixth Ohio had all compliments in the shape of a shower of bullets. been killed or captured. Finally I met a TwenAs we emerged on the south side, the prairiety-third straggler, who reported the regiment dewas a moving spectacle of teams and stragglers, stroyed, who was soon followed by an orderly, going at the highest speed. On our left hand, who stated that the regiment - what was left, about a hundred rods distant, stood a huddle of seventy-three in number-were in the old camp, soldiery in apparent disorganization the débris and then came the imperturbable Dwight Tredof the brigade-all, indeed, that remained of it-way, Quartermaster of the Twenty-third, with about three hundred in number. The road we had taken led round an old field having a sod fence, near a mile out in the prairie, around which it turned at a sharp angle toward the south, compelling us to travel about a mile and a half to make half that distance in a straight line; and the rebel cavalry pressing behind, struck across this line to head off the train, instead of following us directly in rear. When we saw that perpetual smile on his face, looking for his trains, without the slightest trace of alarm or excitement. From him we learned that about ninety of the boys were left, and subsequently the number increased to about a hundred- that Colonel Guppy was wounded and a prisoner, Captain Sorenson the same; that Captain Bull was taken prisoner; that the brave and daring soldier, Alonzo G. Jack, and some others were killed, and so of a long list of neighbors and friends. I started at once for the field, but meeting General Washburn, was informed that the whole force was ordered back to Carrion-Crow Bayou, and that it was useless to proceed, as they would leave before I would reach the old camp, so we fell back to headquarters to wait for them. It was long after dark before they arrived. I stood upon the bridge full two hours waiting for them. They came up joking and laughing, in no way dispirited or depressed at the terrible ordeal they had passed; and then there was such a handshaking with all of them as I never had before. They supposed us lost. They had stood on higher ground than the camp had seen the cavalry rush down upon it before we were aware of it, and had fairly given us over to the chances in Dixie-and their joy was in proportion at seeing us safe, while mine was equally great at finding so many unhurt, and so comparatively few killed and wounded. third, nothing specific can be stated. The vote for the Union ticket was nearly unanimous; but the poll-lists of part of the companies were lost; and of those saved, there is generally a lack of officers left to make out the certificates. In one company, one inspector was killed, one taken prisoner, with both clerks-leaving but one officer of the board. I advised him to append an affidavit of the facts, but what will be done I do not know. Both the Thirteenth and Nineteenth Corps had fallen back to Vermillion Bayou, when I left there on Saturday. It is reported that the Thirteenth has been ordered to Memphis; it belongs to Grant's army proper. It is reported also, and believed, that Brownsville, Texas, is in possession of General Banks. If so, my next assignment will take me to the Rio Grande. H. A. Doc. 8. FIGHT AT ROGERSVILLE, TENN. A NATIONAL ACCOUNT. This battle opened by a sudden attack of two thousand five hundred rebel infantry upon the Sixtieth Indiana and Ninety-sixth Ohio in the woods, which soon broke and fell back, when BULL'S GAP, TENN., Nov. 11, 1863. the rebel cavalry charged upon the battery, (Sev- MORE than a month since, the division of reenteeth Ohio,) and captured two guns, one of enforcements, under General O. B. Willcox, enwhich was retaken. The charge of the Twenty-tered East-Tennessee, and, with Shackleford's third Wisconsin was to save the balance of the division, moved immediately on the rebels at battery, and it saved it; but was itself speedily Blue Spring. After a sharp engagement, the overwhelmed, and compelled to retreat. General Burbridge gives it this credit, and of saving what was left of the brigade. It checked the advance long enough to allow a retreat, and certainly it was not in mortal power, under such a fire, to have done more. The brigade went into the fight with one thousand and ten men, and came out with three hundred and sixty-one. The Twenty-third went in with two hundred and six muskets and twenty officers, and came out with ninety-eight men. Being now reduced to a mere company, the authorities in Wisconsin ought, if possible, to secure its return to the State, to recruit up its wasted strength. No braver men ever went upon a battle-field, and, although one of the later regiments, it yields to none in the service it has rendered. The rebel loss was far more severe. Green and Taylor united their forces for the dash, and, from the best sources of information attainable, they brought into the field two thousand five hundred infantry, four thousand cavalry or mounted men, and one battery. Eighty of them lay dead directly in front of our first line of battle in the woods, and how many others fell, our forces had not counted at the time of leaving. Wounded prisoners were exchanged next day, and the rebels reported their loss at about one hundred and ninety killed, from four hundred to five hundred wounded, and about one hundred prisoners. As their attacking force came up eight lines deep, the bullets must have told terribly upon them. Of the result of the election in the Twenty enemy was forced to retire, with severe loss, and our forces moved up the East-Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, Willcox's division stopping at Greenville, the former home of Andy Johnson, and Shackleford's occupying Jonesboro. Every thing remained quiet until the twentyeighth ult., when Shackleford was flanked by the enemy, and forced to fall back on Greenville. Next day, however, the rebels retreated, and Shackleford moved up to his former position. The enemy's attitude remained threatening, and on the morning of the sixth instant, heavy firing was heard in the direction of Rogersville, a small town situated on the north bank of the Holston River. A detachment of the Third Indiana cavalry was immediately sent out to learn the result, and toward evening sent in a courier with the intelligence that our forces at Rogersville, consisting of the Second Tennessee and Seventh Ohio cavalry, and Second Illinois battery, had been defeated, and that the enemy was reported moving on Bull's Gap, eighteen miles in our rear. Then there was mustering in hot haste, and both divisions were quickly on the road for the Gap. Lick Creek was to be crossed before reaching the Gap, and it was feared the rebels would attempt to destroy the bridge before we could reach it; and to guard against this, the detachment of the Third cavalry that was in the advance, was ordered to fall back to the bridge to hold it. No enemy appeared, and at midnight our column, led by the Sixteenth Indiana, came in sight. Rapidly the noble fellows moved on, and soon the Gap was reached, which secured the army from present danger of a rear movement. At an early hour next morning our troops Creek; while Colonel Giltner, commanding Briwere in position, ready and anxious for the foe gadier-General Williams's brigade, was to move approaching; but none appeared, and our scouts from Kingsport and its vicinity, on the north soon ascertained that, immediately after the fight, side of the river. During the afternoon of the the enemy retreated toward Virginia, having fifth Colonel Giltner concentrated his command, burned up most of the property captured. They and went into camp at Kingsport, and ordered his also learned that our loss was not so severe as force to move at six o'clock P.M. Owing to great at first reported, and does not, I think, exceed difficulty in passing the fords, it was nearly five killed, twelve wounded, and one hundred eleven o'clock when the column had passed the and fifty prisoners. In addition to this, we lost river, with a march of twenty-one miles between four guns of the Second Illinois battery and the them and the enemy's camp. The intense darkentire train. It appears that our forces were ness of the night, with rain, made the march surprised early in the morning, and almost sur- one of great difficulty and discomfort, but it was rounded before they were aware that an enemy cheerfully encountered by officers and men, who was near. Being greatly scattered, they were seemed to have no doubt of the success which unable to fight with any show of success, while awaited them. At Lyons's Store the head of the the rebels, confident in their overpowering num-column encountered the brigade of General Jones, bers, pushed forward with a valor worthy of a better cause. Twice they charged the battery, and twice they were repulsed with heavy loss; but closing up their heavy ranks, they again returned to the attack. This time our little band was unable to withstand the impetuosity of their charge, and the guns that had held them at bay for more than an hour fell into their hands. Then ensued a scene of the wildest confusion. No way of escape was opened to our men but the river. Into this they plunged, and, although the rebels made every effort to effect their capture, the greater number escaped. A worse whipped set of men are seldom seen. Many had lost their hats, coats, arms, and horses, and all were indignant that they should have been humiliated by a defeat. who was understood to have started for Dodson's and Smith's fords, in the Holston, below Rogersville. He, finding great obstacles in the way of his advance, had determined to cross the river at Long's ford, and take the Carter's Valley road to Rogersville, in the rear of Garrard's camp. This transferred him to the right, instead of the left of the army, and brought him by the north of the Yankee position, instead of by the south, to the rear or west of it. Colonel Giltner had received information of a home guard camp, on the Carter's Valley road, by a citizen, whom he sent at once to General Jones, and by means of his information he was enabled to surprise their camp about daylight, where he captured some thirty or forty prisoners. At Surgeonsville the enemy's pickets were driven in. Owing to a failure on the part of the RICHMOND "ENQUIRER" ACCOUNT. advance-guard to charge them promptly, and the RICHMOND, Nov. 18, 1863. delay consequent in bringing up a company to A correspondent, likely to be well informed, pursue them, they were enabled to escape. Capsends us the following detailed account of this tain Fulkerson, of Colonel Carter's command, beoperation, which was not only creditable in it-ing ordered forward, pursued them some three self, but has gone far to give a new turn to confederate fortunes in East-Tennessee: The affair at Rogersville, East-Tennessee, affords some mitigation of the general ignoring of the campaign there. A series of movements of the most unfortunate and disgraceful character, illustrated by the retreat of General Williams, glorious to him and his command, but wholly shameful to those responsible for his exposed position, the only other matter of commendation, justifies this sweeping phrase. A true relation of these will, doubtless, fill a dark page in history. Let us turn to the brighter point, and present to your readers the truth. A few days since, information of a reliable character was received by General Ransom of the exact position, numbers, and condition of the Yankees at Big Creek, four miles cast of Rogersville. The nearest supporting force being at Greenville, he conceived the idea of cutting them off by a rapid night march of cavalry upon their front and rear. Brigadier-General Jones, accordingly, was directed to put his brigade in motion, so as to bring himself, on Thursday evening, within a night's march, by the south side of Holston River, down the valley of Buck miles, to the farm of Dr. Shields, where he was ordered to halt and hold his position. Colonel Giltner halted the head of his column at Miller's, eight miles from Rogersville, and went forward to reconnoitre the enemy's position. Finding them posted, apparently in force, on the hill beyond Spears's, he waited for his column to close up, and to give time to General Jones to get into position, and rode back to observe the road and ascertain if it was covered from observation by the enemy. Finding it was so, and securing information of General Jones's progress, he ordered the column to advance as soon as the artillery should close up, and rode to the front. Here he found that the force of the enemy had disappeared. Captain Fulkerson had been sent by the right to turn this position, and soon ascertained the fact that they had left this point, and that the way was open. The advance charged down the hill, urged to a sharp trot. A mile in advance, finding thick pine woods, the advance formed as skirmishers, and advanced through the fields to the right of the road, where they soon discovered the enemy's wagons crowded in the main road, while some one of the advance called out that the Yankees were escaping by the ford-Russell's or A ville, twenty-five miles, galloping bareheaded through the streets, and crying that ten thousand confederates were upon their heels. I need not comment upon a result so common in this war, so disgraceful to the Yankee soldiers and the confederate general. Doc. 9. Chism's ford-in front of the enemy's position. which the greater part of the enemy got away. Colonel Giltner at once ordered Colonel Carter's This, however, was probably for good reasons. regiment to charge, which they did in the direc- The most unfortunate part of the affair was the tion of the ford. Owing to the roughness of the return of the army that night to camp, by order ground, only twelve or fifteen reached the ford, of General Jones, against the earnest remonbut the regiment was in supporting distance, and strance of Colonel Giltner. This resulted in the the Yankees, seeing their retreat cut off, made escape of many prisoners, and the loss of any mano further effort in that direction. They com- terial results beyond the captures. Subsequent menced, however, shelling the corn-field in which intelligence shows that four men, pursuing the Carter's men were. Colonel Carter ordered his retreating Yankees within a few miles of Greensmen to the cover of a precipice, whence he ad- ville, captured a wagon which had escaped by vanced, under cover of a hill, into open ground. Chism's Ford, and carried dismay into the camp Throwing down the fences, he dismounted and of the Yankees at Rheatown and Greenville; charged the enemy's gun, near the Russell House. and that while the confederate cavalry was hastThe enemy abandoned one gun, carrying off their ening to secure its communications, the Yankees horses and some wagons. Meanwhile, another were stampeding through Greenville - horses, small regiment dismounted and charged through cattle, artillery, wagons, men and officers blockthe fields between the gun and the retreating en-ading the streets, filling the sidewalks into the emy, who, however, turned down the river road. very doors of the houses, a dismayed and disorAnother gun now opened to the left, on a high|ganized mob. On they went even to Russellhill south-west of William Lyons's house, west of Big Creek. Colonel Carter's regiment started to the left of the Russell house, crossing the creek to attack it. Almost as soon as they could traverse the distance, they charged and took it; not, however, until one gun of Lowry's battery had been put in position and fired several shots. small body of the enemy appearing in the fields to the right, a few shots from another gun posted in the abandoned camp of the Second Louisiana were fired, and the enemy disappeared in the woods, to the rear of the fields, west of Big Creek. Just then a heavy discharge of musketry was heard in the rear, which was at once recognized as the attack from General Jones, and a cheer went up from both columns. Colonel Giltner GENERAL AVERILL attacked General Jackson's had, by this time, brought up his reserves, who forces at Mill Point, Pocahontas County, on the charged down the river road, and down the lane fifth instant, and drove him from his position between the Relay and McKinney farms, where with trifling loss. Jackson fell back to the sumthe Yankees were attempting to escape by a pri- mit of Droop Mountain, when he was reënforced vate ford. Here they overtook two of the guns by General Echols with Patten's brigade, and of the enemy, and took a large number of prison-one regiment from Jenkins's command. The poers; a large number having previously laid down their arms in the woods to the right of the road, and in front of the lane last mentioned. While this was going on in front, General Jones had moved down the Carter Valley road to the left of the enemy's camp, to the intersection with the main road, a mile east of Rogersville, where he despatched a detachment of Witcher's battalion, and perhaps Dunn's, to take the town, oceupied by a small force. These captured, perhaps, one hundred prisoners, and killed some five or six Yankees and renegades. The body of the command turned up the main road a short distance, to the road leading out toward the Relay and McKinney farms, and intersecting the river road. The enemy being drawn from their camp by the front attack, here encountered the command in their rear, and, after several sharp volleys, yielded themselves to their fate. The re OPERATIONS IN WEST-VIRGINIA. CLARKSBURGH, November 8, 1863. To Governor Boreman : sition is naturally a strong one, and was strengthened by breastworks commanding the road. General Averill turned the enemy's left with his infantry, and attacked him in front with cavalry dismounted. The victory was decisive, and the enemy's retreat became a total rout, his forces throwing away their arms and scattering in every direction. The cavalry pursued till dark, capturing many prisoners and a large quantity of arms, ammunition, etc. The enemy's wounded have all fallen into our hands. Our loss in killed and wounded is about one hundred. ment: B. F. KELLEY, GENERAL AVERILL'S DESPATCH. sults of this victory have been detailed with suf- Brigadier General Kelley, Commanding Departficient accuracy, and need not be recapitulated. The change of plans on the part of General Jones is considered, by those acquainted with the country, as leaving open the avenues of escape through On the fifth instant I attacked Jenkins in front of Mill Point, and drove him from his position, with trifling loss on either side. Yesterday morning he was reenforced by Gen-killed. Our camp for the night was at a place eral Echols, from Lewisburgh, with Patten's marked on the map "Travellers' Repose," forbrigade and a regiment of Jenkins's command, merly a hotel hid away in this valley. and assumed a strong position upon the summit of Droop Mountain, a position similar to that upon South-Mountain, in Maryland, but stronger, from natural difficulties and breastworks. Opposite our camp was a little grove of evergreens, from which the cowardly "bushwhackers" had frequently fired on our men, and on one occasion killed and wounded a number belonging to an Indiana regiment, that were on the march, and from which a volley had been fired into the Eighth Virginia when on an expedition last winter. This valley is now in utter desolation. Human habitations and fences all gone, and left a mournful solitude. I stormed the enemy's left with infantry, and when he became disturbed made an attack direct with four regiments of dismounted cavalry. The victory was decisive, and the enemy's retreat became a total rout. His forces, throwing away their arms, became scattered in every direction. I pursued those that he kept together until Next morning resumed the march, and imme after dark. His wounded and many prisoners diately after crossing the river, came to the rebel and arms have fallen into our hands. My loss is works made by Lee during the summer of 1861, about one hundred officers and men. The troops and called "Camp Alleghany." At this place are in excellent spirits, with plenty of ammu- we met two more families of refugees, also from nition. WM. W. AVERILL, White Sulphur, leaving the doomed land of Brigadier-General." Dixie," who had been driven off by the rebels. From here a scouting party was sent to Fort Baldwin, on top of the Alleghany. At this point the Beverly and Staunton pike crosses the mountain. This party, when they reached the summit, built a large number of fires, engaged all the hay in the country, and required accommodations for some half-dozen "generals," and then made a circuit to the village of Green Bank, where they scattered a company of rebel cavalry, and made two prisoners. The brigade marched down the valley by the way of Green Bank. We were now in a fine country, that, in appearance, had escaped "war's desolation." In this beautiful valley were a number of fine mansions, and, like almost all the fine houses in the South, had the appendages of negro huts-barbarism and civilization side by side. We passed through a magnificent forest of white-pine timber, such as would make the fortune of a company of enter Matthews's Mills, where we found abundance of corn and hay for our horses. It was a cold, frosty night, but with our feet to big blazing fires, we slept soundly and awoke refreshed. A NATIONAL ACCOUNT. NEW-CREEK, WEST-VIRGINIA, November 20. The brigade of General Averill left their camp at Beverly, at noon, on Saturday, November first. The day was clear and warm. We marched to Huttonville, where we camped for the night. At seven o'clock Monday morning we resumed the march. The day was fine-a delightful Indian summer morning-and a march of two miles brought us to the foot of Cheat Mountain. Here are the remains of the rebel works made at the beginning of the war; and here are the marks of the battle that took place at this point. On our way up the mountain we met a family of refugees from the White Sulphur Springs, who were escaping from the terrible persecutions of the rebels, and seeking a land of peace and plenty. The brigade presented an animated and pictur-prising Yankees, and encamped for the night at esque appearance as it wound its way up the mountain. We reached the summit at noon, where we halted to rest and close up the column before beginning the descent. From the summit of Cheat is a magnificent view of valley and moun- Next morning we started for Huntersville, and tain, and, looking eastward, of the Alleghanics, during the morning burnt a rebel camp, and near towering in grandeur and covered with a dark the town another, and reached town at eleven forest of fir, and the valley of the Green Brier o'clock. The Fourteenth Pennsylvania, Third stretching to the south-east, while our works on Virginia, and a section of artillery were immeCheat, and Lee's works on the Alleghany, frown diately sent on to Mill Point, to cut off the redefiance at each other. The distance from the treat of Jackson, who was at Marling Bottom; bottom of Cheat to the top on the western side, and, to prevent his being alarmed too soon, the by the windings of the road, is six miles, and balance of the brigade halted in this forsaken, only one mile to the valley of Cheat River on the desolate place-the saddest picture of the puneastern side. After descending the mountain ishment that has overtaken the poor, deluded and crossing the valley, we crossed another low rebels that we have met with. In the afternoon, mountain, which is the "divide" between the the Second Virginia, the Eighth, and one piece two rivers the Cheat and Green Brier. On the of artillery were sent to Mill Botton, where they road at the foot of this mountain, on the eastern | arrived at dark; but Jackson had got the news side, is the Gum Farm, a noted place for bush- of our coming, and retreated down the river, whackers, and where a large party of guerrillas blockading the road at the narrows. We sent recently blockaded the road behind a little scout- the pioneers to remove the obstructions, and ing party of the Eighth Virginia and attempted went into camp for the night. to capture them, but the corporal, with his party of nine men, gallantly cut his way through, with the loss of one man wounded and one horse Early next morning, after setting fire to the comfortable winter-quarters that the rebels had erected, we began the pursuit, congratulating |