eleven A. M., without finding they had the means to communicate with me, they were recalled and unfortunately made the circuit around to this place again. Thirteenth regiment, the whole of the enemy retreated in confusion with the last of their wagon train. Their position was soon, though cautiously, taken possession of, when it was found thickly strewn with blankets, clothing, camp equipage, &c., as evidences of a precipitous flight. A short time for rest was now given, and we then moved forward with the usual scouting parties in advance, through an escarped road upon a steep mountain side, to a defile continuing for about four miles between two mountains up the Big Loup Creek. We found, about midway of the defile, a bridge of some size broken down, which delayed us nearly an hour to repair; yet still, as the guides informed us that there was a long and difficult hill for the At length, by five P. M., we moved forward from the "Union School House to the Dickerson's farm, which we reached before seven, finding there the evidences of a most hasty retreat, in the remains of large quantities of tents and camp equipage destroyed by fire. At a short distance beyond this farm the command was closed up, halted, and rested for about four hours, and the detachments of the Forty-fourth and Seventh joined me, making my moving strength about two thousand seven hundred men. With this force, at eleven P. M. I moved forward, arriving about four A. M. of the four-passage of wagons about two miles in advance teenth at Hawkins' Farm, about five miles beyond Fayetteville, being delayed much by scouting the roads in advance. On the route farther evidences of the hasty retreat were shown in the tents, wagons, and large quantities of ammunition left behind. At seven o'clock we again moved forward with the belief, which proved to be the fact, that part at least of their train was encamped five miles from Hawkins. of the bridge, I decided to push forward in the hopes of overtaking it, although the men had been marching, nearly all the night previous as well as during the most of that day, in, for a greater part of the time, a drenching storm, and over roads in many places to a great extent in tenacious mud, and many of them, by the failure of expected trains, with less than half their rations. On reaching, at four P. M., the outlet of this defile at Keton's Farm, about The advance was led by Col. Smith of the fifteen miles from Fayetteville and twenty-one Thirteenth, to whose prudence and caution dur-miles from our previous bivouac near Cotton ing that day we owe it, that not a single man | of ours was killed or wounded, and scouting most cautiously, though of course slowly forward, we met the advance posts of the enemy after four miles' march at nine A. M., where a sharp contest with our advance continued for nearly half an hour, where besides several other losses the rebels had mortally wounded the colonel of Floyd's Cavalry-Col. St. George Croghan, (son of the late Inspector-General Croghan.) These outposts being driven in, we advanced carefully about one mile further, where the enemy were found posted in considerable force behind a ridge covering McCoy's Mills. A regiment of cavalry and different regiments of infantry are reported as distinctly seen. After an interchange of fire between these and our advance for twenty minutes, Capt. Schneider's rifle artillery was brought up with good effect, the officers reporting that they saw many fall at their fire. As, however, I soon discovered a ridge that made out from our rear to our right, that commanded at close musket range the left of the enemy, I sent my aid to direct Lieut.Col. Creighton with the Seventh and half of the Thirty-seventh under Major Ankele to pass down this ridge to attack their left This movement, I regret, was delayed fully half an hour by the resistance of Colonel Sieber to this order, he at first neglecting or refusing to send the number of men required, and demanding the right to command it, as reported by my aid. When at length this attack was made it was entirely successful; and with the first concentrated volleys of this command, of about seven hundred and fifty men, uniting with the fire of the Hill, we found the expected steep hill some two miles distant, and their wagons over it or not in sight. And therefore I concluded to bivouac the men there with such food as we best could obtain, and report the case, as I did so, to General Schenck at Fayetteville, who had assumed the direction by order of yourself, suggesting to him to join me with his force, (about onehalf of mine,) that we might attack or drive the enemy in Raleigh the next day. The first despatch of General Schenck informed me that he had sent the Twenty-sixth regiment and some mounted men to reinforce me; a second, received at ten P. M., informed me that the Twenty-sixth regiment was ordered to return, while it directed me also to return as soon as practicable to this place. As the men were still, for more than ninetenths of them, without any shelter, in a most drenching rain or succession of violent thunder showers, many without their blankets even,. which had been thrown off in the ardor of the chase, and as they were still standing round their fires, unable to sleep in the rain upon the open ground, the greater part of the command, though most unwilling to give up the pursuit, felt that, if it was so ordered, it must be best for themselves, after their few hours' halt, (it could not be called rest,) to retrace their steps that very night, rather than remain standing in the cold and wet till morning, with only the prospect before them of their return. We accordingly commenced our return soon after one o'clock, and, reaching McCoy's about four, we rested till after six A. M. of the 15th, or to-day, when we moved onward, and, with a single rest about midway, the command reached this place soon after noon, being still in excellent spirits their main disappointment being in not having been permitted to continue the pursuit of the rebels. We are at this hour partly in houses, but a great number out in the open air in the village, where it is now snowing upon them in their rest, which, added to their really great exposure, will, I fear, half annihilate their effective strength. The main facts and circumstances of the expedition are, therefore, that after remaining about one week upon Loup Creek, awaiting the coöperation of another force, and with my command of about three thousand, divided in four portions, as ordered by General Rosecrans, I at length moved forward with one-half the force to meet the enemy in front to the furthest point of Cotton Hill. There in the night after our first engagement with his outposts on the afternoon of the 13th, the enemy made a most precipitous retreat, leaving portions of his baggage, wagon-loads of ammunition, tents, clothing, &c., on the route, besides the evidences of the destruction of a much greater portion; that from the unknown and difficult nature of the country, some twenty hours had elapsed before his retreat was assured, and without which we did not feel it safe to pursue him to his works at Dickerson's farm (since found to be of the strongest character for field-works) with my force then less than two thousand, and not one-half of the least of his supposed numbers. He was then most vigorously followed up by my command through rain and storm and mud, till overtaken at about eighteen miles from the camp he left, and the heavy force of his rear guard was there routed, and further camp equipage taken after another action, by which his train was still kept in advance of us; and the pursuit was still continued, until, from the difficult nature of the defile beyond, the breaking of bridges, &c., our exhausted forces needed to rest for the night, when we were recalled by the orders of General Schenck: and this was accomplished with the loss of one man killed and four wounded on our part in the fight at Laurel Creek, and NONE at the affair at McCoy's Mills, while it is certain that the loss of the .enemy was three times that amount, including that of their chief colonel of cavalry, killed. Floyd was pursued for thirty miles from his batteries of Gauley Bridge, and driven, as was ascertained, to Raleigh, and on some eight miles further than our last bivouac. I can only add in conclusion that, had I not been ordered to return, and had the forces which were sent over the river been moved up to Keton's to support me, as I asked, by a courier that evening, that they should be, we could have moved forward to Raleigh to-day as I intended, and, as I am well satisfied, captured that place and depot, with their train, and certainly routed if not captured the whole of Floyd's force. I have now but to report the noble conduct of my men during this most toilsome march, where, through all their great exposure in the storm, upon the route, and in bivouac, without shelter against the rain or snow that fell in each of the last three nights, not a murmur was heard by me, but every duty was performed with the greatest cheerfulness and alacrity. And the principal officers of the command were worthy of the men they led. Of Colonel W. S. Smith, commanding the Thirteenth_regiment, I have previously expressed my opinion, in my report of the battle of Carnifax Ferry; and all there stated was here more than confirmed. Colonel White, of the Twelfth regiment, who has recently been promoted, and made the most praiseworthy and successful efforts for the discipline of his regiment of fine men, did not behave less nobly than if he had been fully in most successful battle, by yielding, as he did, to the exigencies of the occasion, a desire, with much of equity in it, which was shared by himself and his men, to lead the advance of the march. Colonel Woods, (of the U. S. Army,) at this time acting in command of the Tenth regiment, led that regiment in advance, at a rapid and safe pace, at the latter part of the march on the 14th, with great good judgment and gallantry; and Captain Schneider, of the rifled artillery, a very gallant and deserving officer, was most prompt and successful in the management of his guns. Captain McMullen, though his howitzers were not brought into play in action, was prompt and ready at every point on the march, as he is ever at every call of duty; and Lieut.Col. Creighton, of the 7th, executed the manoeuvre from our right flank, which decided the rout at McCoy's Mills, in most gallant style, the Forty-fourth, under its very efficient officer, Major Mitchell, not having the opportunity of participating in the action, as well as the Thirty-seventh regiment, from their position in the rear. My high acknowledgments are also due to each of my personal staff, for their efficiency and gallantry on the field, with which every duty was performed. To the brigade surgeon, Dr. Shumard, ever most watchful over both the surgeons and the men for their health and safety; and my aid, Captain Atkinson, of rare ability and efficiency; and to Captain Stanage, assistant adjutant-general, of whose excellent character I have had the pleasure to report at Carnifax; as also to Captain Mallory, my commissary, of whom my expectations in that action were fully borne out; and to BrigadeQuartermaster Captain D. S. Smith, one of the most efficient in his department in the service, although detained by my orders at the camp, the highest praise is due for his care and forethought, not only in forwarding constantly the amplest supplies of provisions, but in having the tents, which had been struck at our late position, repitched by the time of the return of the men from their toilsome and wearied march, | mates at West Point,) and the interview beand amply provided with all the necessary comforts of the camp. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient CINCINNATI "GAZETTE" ACCOUNT. FAYETTE C. H., Va., Nov. 15. As I telegraphed you, Floyd retreated the night of the skirmish at Cotton Hill, leaving a strong rear guard behind him. Next morning discovering from our scouts that he had vacated his position, we followed up to Union School House, still apprehensive that he might attack us, knowing that in point of numbers his force was superior to our own. A scouting party under Sergeant Lambert, who I mentioned in my last, got on his track, killed one of his scouts, and brought information that induced the General to order a forward movement. We left Union School House late in the afternoon, marched some four miles to Col. Dickerson's place, well known through this part of the country, the colonel being probably the most influential secessionist in this part of the country. Here we obtained some items, and captured a few secesh guns. After halting for a couple of hours we took up the line of march, and, tired as we were, toiled on until four o'clock in the morning, when we again halted to allow the men and horses to refresh themselves. Soon after daylight the order to march was given, and we pushed on over roads rendered almost impassable by the heavy rains, and cut to pieces by the recent passage of Floyd's artillery and wagon trains. Our skirmishers, under the command of the gallant Capt. Gard ner, of the Thirteenth Ohio, were in advance of the column on both sides of the road, and proceeded cautiously. Just as they reached a bend in the road, one of the company (private Seig, of Company F) crawled over and espied two squadrons of cavalry under Col. Croghan, of Kentucky, and here commenced the battle of McCoy's Mills. tween them was, of course, unusually painful. We did all we could for the unfortunate man, but human aid was vain, and he expired the same afternoon. We brought down the body on our return, and Gen. Benham intends forwarding it to his friends at once. At twenty minutes past twelve our advance reached McCoy's Mills, and a sharp action at once ensued. The enemy's forces consisted of the cavalry engaged in the former skirmish, and at least one-I think two-regiments of infantry. They held their own against our skirmishers, and, having the advantage of ground, bid fair to give us considerable trouble and delay, for some time at least, in our pursuit of their main force. Gen. Benham at once ordered the Seventh, under Col. Creighton, and half of the Thirtyseventh German, to take possession of a ridge on the right of the road. The advance, consisting of the Thirteenth, Col. Smith-who did the work as well as man could do it-occupied the left, and Captain Schneider's battery being brought to the extreme front, we prepared to dislodge them. Col. Smith discovered a large body of cavalry in an exposed part of the hill, within fair range; and the gallant German, only too glad of a chance to let his barkers speak, took deliberate aim, and bang went the gun, whiz went the ball, and-away went the cavalry under cover. I rode by the side of the artillery and distinctly saw the shot strike among them. We now poured it in hot and heavy, and they scattered in all directions. All this time our troops on the right were firing whenever they had a fair chance, and constantly advancing. At or before this time a portion of the Thirteenth took up a position on their extreme left, threatening to get in their rear. The rebels, finding the climate becoming too warm for even their Southern constitutions, and the thermometer constantly rising, fled in disorder — dashing down through a cornfield, our men popping away at them in the most lively and pleasant manner. They did not seem to see the point of the joke: and, from what we saw afterward, it is my deliberate opinion that they are running yet—at least we never got within gunshot of them again. It is difficult to correctly estimate the loss of the enemy, as we were too much hurried to make search for them, but it could not have been less than fifteen killed and A volley was instantly opened on the enemy, who were, as their wounded afterward acknowledged, taken completely by surprise. At the first fire several saddles were emptied, and Col. Croghan fell mortally wounded in the abdomen. The rebels, though surprised, showed fight and retired slowly, firing as they went; but our men having possession of the elevated ground on both sides, exposed them to a galling cross-wounded-probably much more. We did not fire, and forced them back. The main body then advanced, having, as before, strong parties of skirmishers. Col. Croghan was carried to the nearest house, and was cared for as well as the state of the case would admit of by Surgeon Chase, of the Thirteenth Ohio. He was a gallant man and an accomplished officer, and, though an enemy, the sight of his dying agonies "drew tears from the eyes of men unused to weep." The colonel's father and Gen. Benham were old acquaintances, (in fact, I believe, class VOL. III.-Doc. 33 lose a man. This all sounds rather fishy, but they had no artillery, and all of our men within reach of their musketry were kept carefully under cover by their commanding officerswhose caution and skill cannot be too highly commended. From this point we had abundant evidence of the utter route and hasty flight of the enemy. They were badly scared, and though in the course of our march we passed positions which competent officers assured me were almost impregnable, they did not attempt to take advantage of one of them. Floyd was blind drunk the night he came through Fayette C. H., and I think has been in a state of chronic intoxication for some time; he certainly is much better adapted for pilfering than fighting, having not the least stomach for any thing in the shape of danger. All along the road we ❘ found flour, clothing, knapsacks, canteens, tents, &c., &c., scattered at short intervals. Now commenced our hardships. We had been much delayed by the action; and knowing that the Virginia chivalry are perfect race horses, in running from an enemy, however dilatory they may be when advancing on one, we hurried our movements as much as possible, hoping, if nothing else, to capture the wagon train, which was in the rear; but we fought against insurmountable difficulties. From the eneral down there never was a more gallant body of men. They struggled on mile after mile, through the most wretched apology for roads that the imagination ever conceived of. Some, worn out by fatigue, dropped down by the way, (all were picked up afterward,) but those who could by any possibility keep their feet struggled on. Colonel Smith I noticed particularly wading through the mire nearly knee-deep, having dismounted to give his horse to a sick captain, as jolly as if he were on four horses. From information received from our guide, (who by the way is a rara avis in this country, a true-blue Virginia Unionist,) we thought we should overtake the wagon train at Three Mile Hill, seven miles from Raleigh. On reaching the Blake farin, one mile from the foot of the mountain, we sent forward mounted scouts, who returned with the disheartening news that the aforesaid vehiculary conveyances, like the "hieland laddie" of musical notoriety, were "o'er the hills and far awa"." What could we do? Our men were used up; we had neither tents, provisions, ambulances, nor heavy artillery, (having been obliged to leave Schneider's pieces some distance behind,) and were deep in an enemy's country with a chance of our retreat being cut off if we advanced further. General Benham wisely resolved to proceed no further that night. We bivouacked in the open fields, and if I had loved Western Virginia before with all the ardent affection of one of her own gallant bushwhackers, that night would have turned my love to bitter hate. I strongly advise all who read this, and who may be afflicted with a mania for this part of a soldier's life, to do it on paper, for, take my word for it, "it don't pay, sir, nor can't be made to pay." That night at ten o'clock, the General received orders from General Schenck-who had crossed the river at Gauley, but none of whose reinforcements had as yet reached us to return. We took up our line of march at two o'clock A. M., and reached this place at about one P. M., where both brigades are now stationed. This ends the campaign in Western Virginia. Floyd is driven clear out of the country, and swears he will never return. I admire his taste, though I cannot say as much for his courage. And here, before closing, let me pay a well-merited tribute to the army which I had the honor to accompany. General Benham's plans were laid with skill, and carried out with his usual promptness and energy. If the reinforcements which were promised had reached him in season, and permission had been granted him to advance upon Raleigh, I have no doubt that he would have succeeded in getting possession of the wagon train, if not capturing the entire force. There appears to be a disposition on the part of some of the military authorities here to tie General Benham's hands; but, in spite of all his disadvantages, he has done the fighting. He was put in the rear to guard the point where the enemy was not expected to be, but when the fight came, he was in the advance; and, tired as his troops were, he maintained his position till ordered back. I have had occasion before to mention Colonel Smith, 13th Ohio, who led the advance. He performed his arduous duties untiringly; and to his skill, caution, and gallantry, the army owes much of its success. If all of our Brigadier-Generals were as well, or half as well qualified for the position, we would have fewer military blunders, and more successes to record. Colonel Smith is a West Pointer, and does credit to the institution at which he graduated, and the cause which he serves. I have neither space nor time to mention others; how can I, when all deserve more praise than I can give them? It is a gallant army, this same fighting brigade of the Kanawha. God speed it, wherever it goes, and send it the good fortune it so richly merits. I subjoin a detailed list of the force now under General Benham's command, as possibly of interest to some of your readers: 13th Ohio, Col. Smith. 12th Ohio, Col. White 600 500 600 700 500 10th Ohio, Col. Wood, (acting Col.) 7th Ohio, Lieut.-Col. Creighton comm'ding 500 37th Ohio, Col. Siebur.. 44th Ohio, Major Mitchell commanding McMullen's Battery, mountain howitzers. Schneider's Battery, rifled cannon. Small detachments of West's and Pfau's Cavalry. NEW YORK "WORLD" ACCOUNT. GENERAL ROSECRANS' HEAD-QUARTERS, ON THE NEW RIVER, NEAR GAULEY, Nov. 21. Again Floyd has fallen back before our forces, and with the same fleetness and secrecy that characterized his previous retreat across the Gauley. He has been driven back, but otherwise the affair is not very creditable to our arms, as we should have bagged his force. Floyd's army is composed of good runners; his artillery is of light field-pieces, easily transported, and he is cumbered with no heavy baggage which would embarrass a quick march. Consequently he left nothing of importance behind, |