FLOYD'S ESCAPE

FROM ROSECRANS.

459

command at New Creek, just below the Gauley river Disposition of Troops.

Attack on Floyd's from whence, by a forced junction by way of the

Stronghold. night march, it fell upon Romney (October Montgomery ferry. As pre26) and, after a sharp struggle, secured that liminary to this it was necessary to dislodge rebel headquarters with much stores, provi- | the enemy from Cotton Hill. A detachment sions and arms. This command, however, from Cox's brigade, consisting of Colonel passed into the Department of the Cum- | De Villiers' men and Major Leeper's battalion berland, and therefore was not reckoned as of the First Kentucky, crossed at once and part of Rosecrans' disposable strength, al- gallantly carried the hill by storm, Nov. 12th, though lie relied upon it to operate against with some loss. The rebels fell back upon General Lee, then still in camp at Greenbrier, their entrenchments at Dickerson, three miles should be attempt to move north.

away, when Rosecrans ordered Benham tu Rosecrans, having ma-to hasten forward to Cassidy's mills, a point Attack on Floyd's

tured his plans for encom- from whence to precipitate his column upon Stronghold.

passing Floyd and for bag- the Fayette and Raleigh road should Floyd ging his entire host, proceeded to work by attempt a retreat. Benham's tardiness, and ordering Benham with his brigade to cross the division of his command, lost all at the the Kanawba at Deep creek, thence to ad- moment of victory. The

Floyd's Escape. vance up the creek to the rebel rear, striking enemy, instead of standing thie Raleigh road below Fayetteville. Floyd at Dickerson's, fled without a halt, and Benhad advanced to the line of the Kanawha ham arrived Nov. 12th at Cotton Hill to find river just above Gauley river mouth, where Floyd gone and Cox's men in possession. his cannon commanded the communication There he remained until the afternoon of the between the upper and lower camps of Rose- 13th, when he pressed forward to the purcrans' brigades. He was strongly posted, suit. Coming up with the enemy's rear and prepared for obstinate work. His camp guard at McCoy's mills, on the Raleigh pike, at the mouth of Laurel creek was backed by Nov. 14th, a sharp fight occurred, by which entrenchments, at Dickerson's, on the road to the rebel cavalry was defeated with the loss Fayetteville. His avenue of retreat, if such of their Colonel, St. George Croghan, formera contingency should occur, was by the roadly of the U. S. A. The pursuit then continu(turnpike) from Fayetteville to Raleigh C. H. ed, the enemy fleeing in the greatest disorder, Thus, it will be seen, that Benham's part of absolutely lining the road with their cast the programme was of the most important away property. But, the Federal commandnature; celerity of movement would deter- er, from some unexplained reason, pursued mine all; by his occupation of the turnpike so leisurely that the enemy and his heavy Floyd could not escape except by cutting train kept in advance. Late in the evening Benham to pieces. For the front assault, it of the 14th, General Schenck ordered the was arranged to use a deserted ferry on the pursuit discontinued—the second great misKanawha (called New river above the conflu- take of the day. A strong column of fresh ence with the Gauley) which would permit troops could have annihilated the runaways. an approach to Fayetteville direct, and thus Benham's men were much exhausted by their at once bring matters to an issue. After in- heavy day's work, though it remains to be credible labor Major Crawford with his pio- shown why he could 'not pursue with his neers (regulars) succeeded in landing boats light troops as fast as the enemy with his and floats at the ferry; but, at the critical lumbering trains could fice.* moment, the waters suddenly came rushing

* This version of Floyd's escape we give after a along in a great rise," rendering it impossible to use the floats without a risk of drown patient study of all the documents submitted in the

Benham in his report labored to give the ing all the men. This approach had, there

reasons for his several movements, but no explanafore, reluctantly to be abandoned. Rosecrans tion, we hoid, should suffice for a total miscarriage thereupon determined to strike Floyd's po- of a plan so palpabiy proper as that comprised in sition by a tlank mozement over the Kanawha ) his original orders--to prevent the enemy's retreat. It

case.

Massacre,

Massacre.

Floyd was severely cas- | few“at quarters." The alarm Floyd's Escape.

The Guyandotto tigated at home for this was first given by the rush of inglorious end of an inglorious campaign. horsemen down the main Ilis brigade went into winter quarters near street, followed by the shouts and reports of Peterstown. Instead of serving his beloved conflict. The struggle was more of a rout Virginia in the capacity of deliverer, the than a contest; yet Colonel Whaley succeedState was only too glad to be delivered of ed in gathering about forty men, with whom him. He was, in consideration of his eminent he fought desperately until overpowered and services to the Confederacy, given a command captured. All night long the fight was in Kentucky, where he soon added new lau-waged. The soldiers were hunted for in rels to his increasing fame by“ retreating” | houses, in out-buildings, in wood piles and from Fort Donaldson and leaving the more

in the woods around. None were spared who plucky Buckner to his fate. The wags had offered resistance. Many escaped in the darkit that his propensity for stealing did not ren- ness and a few literally hewed their way over der it safe for him to remain and be captured; Guyandotte river. Early Monday morning therefore he stole away.

the steamer Boston, having on board the Fifth The “massacre" at Guy- Virginia, under command of Colonel Zeigler, The Guyandotte

andotte, Western Virginia, came up. Troops also soon poured in from

and the subsequent destruc- various quarters, comprising the Fourth Virtion of the village by the enraged Cnionists, ginia from Point Pleasant, the Gallipolis argave a sad illustration to the malignant tillery, &c., &c. But, Jenkins was gone, havcharacter of the war on the border.” About ing secured prisoners, horses, stores, arms, eight o'clock on Sunday evening, Nov. 10th, &r., as many and much as he could carry. the village was suddenly assailed by a troop

The hearts of all ached with the sight of composed of about 350 horsemen (guerrillas) blood every where visible; and the stories led by A, G. Jenkins. In the village were

told by those who had escaped (some of them about one hundred men of Colonel Whaley's badly wounded) served to inflame the troops Ninth Virginia, and thirty-five cavalry of the against citizens of the town. Its destrucVirginia Fifth-the nucleus of two regiments tion was decreed, though it was ordered that forming for the Federal service. No precau

no Unionist's building should be burned. tions had been taken against attack as no

The torch was applied by Colonel Zeigler's enemy was supposed to be in that vicinity. orders, and two thirds of the place recluced “Colonel” Jenkins, whose force was not far

to ashes. It was a ruthless work-as uncall. distant, heard, through his emissaries in the ed for as it was pitiless; but, the moment of village, of the true state of affairs, and came

excitement found excuse for the act in the down upon the place to find the men enjoy. reputed co-operation of the secession citizens ing themselves individually--some being at

in the massacre. Guyandotte, from being a church, others visiting in families and but flourishing village of one thousand inhabit

ants, at the opening of the year, stood a was the business of other brigades to occupy Cotton charred ruin at its close—a sad memento of Hill, to cross and assail Floyd in front. Benham's the "usages of war." sole business was to be prepared to intercept the After Floyd's retreat noenemy; and, when he came down upon Cottou Hill, thing remained for Roseinstead of out on the Raleigh road, it was a criminal crans' army at Gauley but departure from orders and duty. In his defense (as winter quarters. No enemy was there to oppublished in the New York Tribune of December 14th,

pose the advance against Lewisburg, but to 1861) great stress was laid upon his various commu. nications with Rosecrans and Schenck, but no ex

advance with the skeleton of an army, with cuse can be offered to satisfy a patient public that roads behind which defied their use by suphis tardy movements were otherwise than inexcu- ply trains, with a wretched commissary arbable. We have given this officer credit for his rangement--was adness; and even before share in the pursuit of Garnett; now we give him orders came from headquarters to transfer blame for his share in the escape of Floyd.

the great bulk of the efficient force to Ken.

Rosecrans in Winter

Quarters.

GENERAL KELLEY'S DESCENT

ON ROMNEY.

461

tucky, Rosecrans had re- “Your enemies are implacable in their hatred of Rogecrans' Address

solved to retire from the you; there to his Troops.

no measure of falsehood to which they field for the winter. He have not resorted to blacken your good name; and reached Wheeling early in December, where, their leaders--Beauregard and Jeff. Davis—have under date of December 11th, he published dared, even in solemn proclamations, to calumniate this address :

you, charging you with crimes you abhor-from

these men you have nothing to expect, You must “ OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF

prepare to teach them, not only lessons of magnaWESTERN VIRGINIA : “ You have closed an arduous campaign, with nimity and forbearance towards the unarmed and

defenceless, but to thrust their calumnies and their honor to yourselves and satisfaction to your country. None but those who have been with you, as I have,

boastings down their traitorous throats.

“Let not a moment be lost in your preparations can fully appreciate your trials and privations.

for the task before you. W. S. ROSECRANS, “Your triumph has been threefold-over your

Brigadier-General United States Army, own inexperience, the obstacles of nature and the

“Commanding Department of Western Virginia." rebel forces.

At a later date (Dec. 28th) Floyd addressed “When our gallant young commander was called from us, after the disaster of Bull Run, this depart

his army from the camp near Dublin Depot. ment was left with less than fifteen thousand men to It was a singular document considering the guard three hundred miles of railroad and three results of the campaign not only to Southern hundred miles of frontier, exposed to “ bushwhack- arms but to Floyd's own reputation as a miliers," and the forces of Generals Floyd, Wise and tary commander. He said: “At its (the Jackson. The northwestern pass into it was forti- campaign's) close you can review it with fied and held, Cheat Mountain secured, the rebel pride and satisfaction.” Nobody but Floyd assaults there victoriously repelled and the Kanawha could have had the hardihood to write in Valley occupied.

that strain; but, he was equal to the occa" A march of one hundred and twelve miles over bak roads brought you upon Floyd's entrenched sion, and declared his men to be covered with position, whence the rebels were dislodged and glory while their garments were yet covered chased to Sewell. Finally your patience and watch with the mud of their last wretched retreat. ings put the traitor Floyd within your reach, and The General afforded the clue to bis pious though by a precipitate retreat he escaped your ejaculations in his announcement to the troops grasp, you have the substantial fruits of victory. that they were detailed to another field of Western Virginia belongs to herself, and the invad- operations—to Kentucky, where they were er is expelled from her soil. In the name of our expected to drive back the invaders and esCommander-in-Chief, and in my own,

I thank you. tablish constitutional liberty. How many of “ But the country will expect, your Commanding his men followed him to Bowling Green we General expects, still more from you. A campaign have no means of knowing-probably not without a defeat, without even a check, must be enough to have constituted more than a body eclipsed by deeds of greater lustre.

guard for the ex-Secretary of War. “ To this end I now call upon you for your own future honor to devote yourselves with energy and

The operations of Gene

General Kelley's Dezeal to perfect yourselves in all that pertains to ral Kelley should here be

scent on Romney. drill, instruction and discipline. Let every officer chronicled, forming, as they and every soldier be emulous to teach and learn the do, part of the Western Virginia campaign, firings, light infantry drill, guard duty, company although they were not prosecuted by direcdiscipline and police.

tion of General Rosecrans. “ Your Commanding-General proposes to procure Kelley, from his position at New Creek, for you everything necessary to prepare you for determined to make a descent upon Romney, your coming work, and will soon organize Boards then a fortified Confederate camp and depot of Examiners, who will rid the service of the dis- of supplies, under command of Colonel An. grace and soldiers of the incubus of incompetent

gus McDonald. It was arranged to throw and worthless officers, who hold the position and re

forward two columus-one from New Creek ceive the pay without having the will or capacity to

under General Kelley, and one from Cumberperform the duties of their positions.

" Remember, you are fighting for your country, land, under Colonel Thomas Johns, in comfor your flag, for your homes.

mand of the Md. Volunteers West Virginia

volunteers. Colonel Johns against which it was supGeneral Kelley's De

General Kelley's De was to make a diversion posed Kelley had designs. scent on Rompey.

scent on Romney. by way of Springfield, to That post was, therefore, hold in hand all the infantry known to be strengthened, while Loring's command ai located at the Chain Bridge, beyond Spring. Lewisburg was despatched to reenforce Lee's field, on the road to Romney, while Kelley forces at Greenbriar, fearing a simultaneous carried Romney. Johns' part of the service advance of Reynolds to form a junction with was well performed; he retired, after the af- Kelley. fair, to Oldtown, Maryland. Kelley, calling That little diversion annoyed the Confedein all his disposable forces on the line of the rates greatly. They beheld in it new plans Baltimore and Ohio railroad, west of Cumber- for their subjugation, and for two weeks hurland, started from New Creek on the night ried regiments to and fro within their lines of October 25th. After a rapid and well or- along the Upper Potomac, in expectation of dered march of fifteen miles, the enemy's out further disasters. But, the enterprise was posts were reached, five miles from Romney, Kelley's own ;* and, having no connection at Mechanicsburg Gap. Having one gun in with any more serious movement, amounted position the rebels there made a stand, but to nothing further than a gallant dash and Kelley's flanking skirmishers and a single the occupancy of the enemy's post as Federal shot from a brass twelve-pounder sent them winter quarters. off in haste to alarm Romney. The Federal Early in December Gene

The Battle of Alleghacolumn pressed on through the Gap, coming ral Milroy conceived the

ny Summit. up to the bridge over the South Branch (Po- plan of an attack upon the tomuc) in dashing style to receive the enemy's enemy's entrenched camp on Alleghang Sumartillery fire. This was returned in kind, for mit, where the mountain is crossed by the a while, when Colonel Mason, of the Fourth turnpike leading west, from Staunton through Ohio, led his men to the bridge on a charge, Monterey to Cheat Mountain. The point while the Ringgold cavalry, Captain Keyes, aimed at was, in distance, from Cheat Moundashed through the river. Keiley's whole tain (Reynolds' position) twenty-two miles force, rapidly filling the road to the bridge, I and ten miles east of the Greenbriar camp, advanced with the charge. The enemy stood * Bartow,” which Reynolds had “reconnoibut a moment. Their entrenchments were tered” on the 3d of October (see page 316). abandoned and a ruslı made for Rowney (one | To that entrenched camp the rebels had reand a half miles away). The Federals pur- treated after the affair of October 3d. Most sued as rapidly as possible—the cavalry scat- of Lee's command had then been withdrawn. tering all before it. But the enemy was fresh The Summit was held by two Georgia and --bis pursuers were exhausted. Most of the one Virginia regiments, two battalions Virtroops occupying the post, therefore, escaped, ginia volunteers and two field batteries under leaving behind their property of every kind. the general command of Colonel Edward except what was on their backs. The cap- Johnson, The Federal commander arranged, tures consisted of horses, thirty wagons, two by two descents on the position, to carry it, cannon, aipmunition, camp equipage for seven and thus end the only menace on his front. hundred cavalry and five companies of infantry (the rebel force then holding the post),

* General Scott ordered the dash“ if Kelley deem. several hundred stand of arms, a mail, and ed it feasible.” The old chief delighted in these stores of clothing, provisions, &c., designed spirited diversions, and very properly regarded them

as a very effective means of worrying and distractfor the future use of forces operating in that

ing the enemy. Those who came after him, acting region. The Federal loss was remarkably

upon the principle of a “grand compression,' rarely small-only one killed and twelve wounded. resorted to these detached assaults. Seeing this, The enemy's loss never was ascertained. the rebels, under Jackson and Stewart, adopted Eight killed and fifteen wounded were found Scott's tactics and worried the Federal commands on the field. Only about sixty prisoners were very materially by their “raids" and unexpected secured. The enemy retired to Winchester, 1 appearance at unprepared points.

6

THE

EXPEDITION AGAINST HUNTERSVILLE.

463

ny Summit.

ny Summit.

men,

General R. H. Milroy as- of Colonel Moody, detainThe Battle of Allegba- sumed command of the ex-ed by obstructions and bad

The Battle of Allegha. pedition. His force con- roads, did not appear. Out sisted of detachments from the Ninth and of ammunition, with a considerable loss in. Thirteenth Indiana, Twenty-fifth and Thirty- killed and wounded and a serious loss by the second Ohio, Second Virginia and Brocken's skulking of many of the raw troops, Milroy cavalry—in all three thousand two hundred determined to draw off his forces. This he

The advance was made to the enemy's did, in comparative order—Bracken's cavalry old camp, “Bartow,” Dec. 12th, where a balt (which had not been engaged) covering the was made, at dusk. The force was then di- retreat in an excellent manner. It was then vided—the Ninth Indiana, Colonel Moody, (eight o'clock A, m.) that Colonel Moody's and Second Virginia, Major John B. Milroy, force appeared upon the enemy's left, and for being dispatched, at 11 P. M., to reach the three hours he fought the foe in real Indian enemy's left, by way of the "old" Greenbriar style, from behind trees and stumps. Finally, road. The rest of the force remained at camp Milroy called off the “irrepressibles,” and Bartow until one o'clock on the morning of the with his command returned to Cheat Moun13th, when it advanced direct upon the Sum- tain, confessing to a repulse. His total loss was mit, by way of the Staunton pike. Time twenty killed, one hundred and seven woundenough had been given, it was supposed, for ed, thirty missing. The rebel loss not known Colonel Moody to reach the mountain from-probably equal to that of the Federals. the south, thus to render the attack from the The want of artillery, total inability to right and left simultaneous. The right at- use the cavalry, the unexpectedly great force tack was led by the Twenty-fifth Ohio, Colo- of the enemy, the failure of the two columns nel James A. Jones, who, deflecting from the to conjoin attack, were offered as reasons for pike, led the advance up the teep mountain the miscarriage of the adventure. side and came out near the e emy's work at This affair was followed by a descent upon day-break, to find them quite ready for the Huntersville. Learning that the enemy had assault. Johnson was not surprised. The a valuable depot of supplies in that place, Federals halted their command, proposing to Milroy determined upon its destruction, and await the signal of Colonel Moody's appear-thus place the rebels in the mountains on ance on the left; but, doubtless divining the short allowance. He de

The Expedition plan, the rebel commander threw his forces tailed Major Webster of

Against Huntersville. at once into the fight. The entire Federal | the Ohio Twenty-fifth to infantry was soon under a severe fire of mus- the work. With four hundred of his regiketry and artillery. The conflict was at near ment, three hundred of the Second Virginia, quarters for awhile, when the rebels retired and thirty-eight of Bracken's Indiana cavalto their works, evidently to draw out their ry, the Major put out on the afternoon of antagonists. The Federal lines closing up, December 31st, passing by way of Elk moun. again the rebels advanced, pouring in a mur- tain. Huntersville was fifty-two miles away derous tire. The lines wavered for a moment -—“Virginia miles” as the troops said; a and some of the men showed symptoms of thick coat of snow lay on the ground and the flight, but were held firmly by the excellent weather was intensely cold. It was the very example of their officers. The rebels were a time for a surprise. The Federals pressed on, second time compelled to withdraw, when suffering much from weariness and exposure, they immediately attempted a fank move but keeping up joyous spirits at the prospect ment. In this they were repulsed. They of a brush.” In three days the point was then quickly flew to the Federal left and as- reached, to find the enemy aware of the apsayed to turn it, but were foiled and pressed proach. Their scouts had discovered Webback to their works in a gallant manner. ster's camp the previous night, and had hasThree more attempts were made to break the tened to alarm the post. But, the force there lines of Milroy, but in every instance, the was too small to offer any material opposiConfederates were unsuccessful. The column / tion, and Webster, after a gallant dash and