forced to yield in the field, they left a large number of their dead in our hands. Eighty had already been found, at the date of our reports. Among the slain on our side, we are sorry to hear the name of Captain Anderson of the artillery. Lieut.-Col. Hansbrough is among the wounded, but, we are happy to hear, not dangerously.

Thus have the heroes of Greenbrier again taught the enemy a bloody lesson. On the river side and on the mountain top, twice has Reynolds sought to overpower them with superior numbers, and twice he has been driven back with shattered lines; and with heavy slaughter. This last failure has proved even far more disastrous than the first; and again have the brave soldiers, who have been enduring the hardships of the Virginia mountains, gladdened the hearts of their countrymen and added new glory to their own fame, by winning a victory of which our whole people will be proud.

For the particulars, as above narrated, we are indebted to a gentleman who came hither from Monterey after the news of the battle had reached there. Since writing it, we have obtained a copy of a despatch received here by the War Department. It is as follows:

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Six were found yesterday, with their eyes picked out by the crows, and many more doubtless lie scattered through the dense forest.

Among the officers that distinguished themselves in the late battle was Major Boykin, who commanded the Thirty-first Virginia Regiment. He charged at the head of his men, cheered them on by his valor, and drove the enemy in confusion down the hill. Major Boykin is from Lewis County, a graduate of the Military Institute, and is quite a young man. He is the idol of his men. We learn that he has since been promoted to a lieutenant-colonelcy.

We daily expect a renewal of the attack upon our camp. The enemy, under the guidance of a tory named Slavin, have been reconnoitring our position, with the intention of cutting a road for artillery. A party has gone out to capture them, and I hope they may succeed, as Slavin is a great scoundrel, and guided the enemy in the attack on the 13th inst. If they head “old Johnson," they may next head the devil. T. S. -Richmond Dispatch.

RICHMOND, Dec. 22.

A letter from Camp Alleghany states that in the bloody fight of the 13th, Col. Johnson appeared upon the field in citizen's dress, gave his commands in the most emphatic manner, and led the fierce charges in person. After the Yankees had been driven to the woods, the Lee battery, of Lynchburg, opened upon them with marked effect. Capt. B. P. Anderson, who commanded this battery, seeing a number of men partially concealed by fallen timber, supposed they were our pickets, and called out to them to come into the ditches. Hardly were

the words out of his mouth, when a shower of musketry was poured upon him, and the noble old hero fell from his horse and died in about fifteen minutes. The command of the battery now devolved upon Lieut. W. W. Hardwicke, of Lynchburg, who directed the shots admirably, and exhibited much personal bravery. Capt. Miller's battery, from Rockbridge, opened upon the enemy in the thicket, with canister shot, and sent many a poor Hessian to his last account.

From another letter, addressed to a gentleman in this city, we glean the following incidents:

In the second charge, while leading in the front, Lieut. Lewis Thompson received a shot through his body and another in his arm, just as he had shouted, "Come on, my brave boys, follow me!" He fell into the arms of Col. Johnson, who says he was as brave a man as he ever saw.

Our boys are laughing heartily over the Yankees' published account of the battle of Alleghany. The following passage is really amusing: The rebels set fire to their camp and retreated to Staunton. Our boys left the field in good order." Why, my dear sirs, it would have done your heart good to have seen the scoundrels run! The road for three miles was covered with their knapsacks, canteens, blankets, hats, and haversacks, and the citizens from the country bring us the news that they were stricken with the most disgraceful panic. The villains vented their spleen upon an old woman living upon the Greenbank road, aged eighty-two years, by destroying her furniture, carrying off her provisions, and breaking up her cooking utensils. Col. Johnson sent her a sack of flour and some other articles. Their troops went back Capt. Thompson also behaved with great galto Cheat Mountain in wild confusion, demoral- lantry. He was surrounded once, but extricated ized and dispirited. Nothing prevented their himself, receiving many bullets through his entire capture but the withdrawal of Col. Tal- clothing, but sustaining no personal injury. iaferro's brigade from this line of operation. It is stated of Capt. Anderson, the veteran We learn from our spies, and from men re-hero who fell early in the engagement, that this cently from Northwestern Virginia, that the was his fifty-eighth battle. enemy confess a loss, in killed, wounded, and missing, of over seven hundred men. Their dead bodies are still being found in the woods.

Col. Johnson said on the battle-field, that he could storm Arlington Heights with ten thousand such troops as the boys from the Northwest.

Are there any so blind among them as not to IN the month of June last, after having ex- see that the predominant feeling in the State is hausted every honorable means of averting the with the South? Do they not know that an calamities of civil war, I called upon the State overwhelming majority of the people will never for fifty thousand volunteers, to drive the ruth- submit to the rule of an abolition despotism? less bands of hired invaders from our soil. Be- Are they not aware that the usurpations of fore making that call, I had asked that you their defunct convention are almost universally might have the privilege of determining, at the condemned by the people? If all these things polls, in a peaceable manner, your future politi- are not well known to them, why did the concal relations with the United States-deter- vention, at its recent sitting, rescind their ordimined, on my part, to abide that decision, what-nance of a former session, submitting their highever it might be. That privilege-a right which belongs to every freeman-was denied you. Our enemies chose to submit your rights to the arbitrament of the sword, and we accept the issue so boastingly tendered us.

sons alone, and with almost unvaried success. | piring, and many may desire to return to their Now, when we have the assistance of the rich homes. It is natural you should desire to do and powerful Southern Confederacy, with all so; but let me beg you not now to turn back her vast resources, and her gallant sons to stand from the work you have so nobly begun; do by our sides, what must be the result? If any not now fail when the eyes of the whole country among us have hitherto entertained the idea are upon you; do not lose your glorious repu that Missouri can be conquered, let them at tation for want of a little more patience; do once and forever banish the delusion from their not let the princely heritage of Missouri be lost minds. to you and your children, when a few more weeks or days of perseverance may win it for you. Let me, therefore, entreat you to embrace the opportunity which is now offered you to volunteer in the service of that great young government, the Southern Confederacyone of the brilliant stars of which is our own loved Missouri-and fight under that bright flag which has yet known no defeat.

By your own strong arms, and willing hearts, and dauntless courage, you have passed successfully through the darkest hour and greatest peril which can possibly attend the unholy crusade now being waged against you. Our enemies must have been brought to know that a bloody revenge must and will follow a continuance of our persecution. It cannot be supposed that a large majority of our people are to be driven from their homes and firesides, and forced to surrender up the graves of their fathers and their children to Northern invaders. This can never be done as long as a man can be found or an arm shall be left to strike a blow. Over-present members of the Missouri State Guard whelming numbers may sometimes force us to retreat; circumstances may occasionally cause us to fall back; but, as certain as God reigns in heaven, we will return again and again, until the last man shall have perished, or we shall have reclaimed our homes.

I have said, and now repeat it, that our enemies can, at any moment, leave the field in safety, and retire to their homes, whereas we can never lay down our arms without dishonor while an enemy shall pollute our soil with his unhallowed tread. Honor and patriotism alike forbid it. The memories of the past and the hopes of the future equally forbid it. The question for Missouri to determine is now resolved into this single proposition: Shall she be the Empire State of the glorious Southern Confederacy, the bright star and peer of Virginia, in the Southern constellation, or shall she ignominiously submit to the abolition yoke of Northern fanaticism-conquered, humbled and disgraced-forced to remain under a Government made tyrannical by fanaticism, disgraced by its rulers, and contemptible in the eyes of the world?

But it is useless now to argue the interest or policy of the State; our enemies have chosen to submit them both to the arbitrament of the sword, and by the sword they must be settled. There is no reason why we should shrink from the contest. The Missouri State Guard, almost single-handed, have fought the armies of all the Western States for more than six months with unparalleled success. Their victories at Cole Camp, at Carthage, at Oak Hills, Fort Scott, Lexington, Fredericktown, and Belmont, cannot fail to inspire the country with renewed zeal, energy, and courage. These noble and heroic deeds have passed into history, and will form the brightest page of the crisis through which our country is passing.

That the bond of union between Missouri and her Southern sisters may be more perfect, and that encouragement be given our men, and that system and unity of purpose exist which insures success, it has been determined that the

shall have the liberty to reorganize under the laws of the Southern Confederacy-that our Southern brothers may have the privilege of supplying our wants and paying our troops, while we fight our battles, which are also theirs. Do not let the frosts of winter deter you from embracing the opportunity. Do not fail to remember those patriotic sires who wintered at Valley Forge-let their bright example encourage you the cause is the same 'tis liberty and equality for which we fight. You have no homes to which you can safely go-the Hessian and the Jayhawker go wherever the army is not, and you will but put on the shackles of serfdom whenever you lay down your arms, even though it be but temporarily. I know your patriotism-you have proved it. I know your bravery-the world has seen it. I know your endurance-the cheerfulness with which you have borne your hardships have demonstrated it-then I pray yon, maintain your reputation but a little while longer, and Missouri will be regenerated and redeemed.

To my fellow-citizens who have not yet joined the army, I have now a word to say. Can you longer delay? Can there be yet one lingering ray of hope in your hearts that the once glorious Union can ever be reconstructed or reunited? Can you expect to remain as quiet spectators, tilling your fields and attending to your private speculations, while fifty thousand of your brave brothers are on the "War Path"? Do you not know that absence from the field but prolongs the war, and that you are at all times liable to depredations from either party? Come out, then, like men. Remember that "he who is not for us is against us!" You know as well as I that the people of Missouri are Southern people that their sympathies, their hopes, and their interests are with the South. Then I call upon you in the name of My brave soldiers, now in the field, the six our noble State, now struggling for independmonths for which you were called is now ex- I ence, to come out and help your brothers who

are in the field. You cannot ask or expect | or is preparing to do so at the approach of any them to do all the fighting, to endure all the superior force. hardships, and divide with you their glory and successes. You should not expect to enjoy the reward unless you participate in their struggles for victory and independence.

Four companies of the regiment, under Lieut.-Col. Von Trebra, on outpost duty, were attacked by a column of the enemy, consisting Whereas, The Secretary of the Navy has of one regiment of cavalry, a battery of artilfurther reported to this House that the promptlery, and two regiments of infantry. They deand decisive action of Captain Wilkes on this occasion merited and received the emphatic approval of the Department, and, moreover, in a public letter has thanked Captain Wilkes for the act; and

loss of a brave and beloved commander-the | About the same time the third company, to the army one of its ablest officers.

left of the Woodsonville pike, advanced in a southern direction, meeting but very feeble resistance; at the same time the alarm had been given to the other companies, and in an indescribably short time all those on the other side of the river started in "double-quick" step over the bridge.

On account of the hot haste to get to support the companies already engaged, the captains forgot the precautions which, for such an event, had been urged upon them by Colonel Willich, and all of them in fierce haste crossed the river, went up the hill on the other side, and, almost breathless, pushed into the woods in the direction of the firing.

CAMP WOOD, Kr., December 17. We have had the first really earnest fight, and I hasten to give you as full and complete Col. Willich had gone to the head-quarters an account thereof as is possible under the cir- of the division when the engagement comcumstances. Since we have been out here on menced, and Lieut.-Col. Trebra was therefore Green River, we have been on picket duty in command. He sent the Sixth, Seventh, and nearly all the time, occupying, as we do, the Tenth companies to support the Second comadvance of the army of Central Kentucky. A pany on the right, and the First, Fifth, Eighth, few days ago we had the first little skirmish. and Ninth companies to support the Third One of our pickets, consisting of six men, had company on the left flank. At the very first incautiously been advanced a little too far, and rush of our skirmishers, the infantry of the were cut off by a party of Rangers. In the enemy were thrown into confusion, and driven fight which ensued, two were wounded, and back at all points. one of them fell into the hands of the enemy, who had suffered a much larger loss. This little affair led to an order of Col. Willich that, for the future, no member of the regiment should be suffered to remain in the hands of the enemy, even if the whole regiment should be drawn into battle. All the necessary precautions were taken on both banks of the Green River; signallists were posted to give instantaneous aların in case of an attack.

The regiment had usually two companies on the south side of Green River, for the protection and reconstruction of the railroad bridge. But on the evening before the fight another bridge over the river had been completed by our company of sappers, under Lieut. Pietzach; and the former arrangement, according to which the main defence of the work on the railroad bridge should, in case of an attack, be conducted from the northern bank, was, by order of Colonel Willich, changed, and four companies were ordered to occupy the north bank of Green River as skirmishers, while four other companies were sent over the river in support of the pickets there.

About twelve o'clock on the 16th of December the right wing of the chain of pickets of the second company, Captain Glass, was attacked by cavalry from the enemy. Captain Glass sent reinforcements, who drove back the enemy; and he himself, with the balance of the company, followed. About a mile beyond his chain of pickets he met an infantry company of the enemy, which he saluted with a full volley, whereupon the same retired as quickly as possible. Immediately thereafter large masses of infantry advanced against him, before which he retired to his line of skirmishers, fighting all the time till reinforcements arrived. I

Then it was, however, when the most severe and bloody part of the battle commenced. With lightning velocity and a demon-like howl, black masses of cavalry-Col. Terry's regiment of Texas Rangers-pounced upon our skirmishers along the whole line. They rode up to them within fifteen or twenty yards, some even in the very midst of our men, and commenced a terrible fire from their carbines and revolvers. At their first onset it seemed as if every one of our men would be destroyed. But here it was that the veteran coolness and bravery of our troops shone forth. They allowed the enemy to come almost as near as he chose, and then poured a deadly fire upon him, which shook the entire line. Upon our left flank Lieut. Sachs, with half of the Third company, in the frenzy of battle, left his covered position and attacked the enemy in the open field. But terrible and fierce as his onset was, the odds were too much against him. The entire number would have been destroyed-for the Rangers, to do them justice, fought with desperate bravery—if they had not been quickly rescued. Upon the right flank of the Third company's position, by order of Adjutant Schmidt, the Eighth company was led forth by Lieuts. Kappel and Levy; upon the left, Lieut.-Col. Trebra advanced with the Ninth company; both attacked the enemy in close skirmishers' line, drove him back, and rescued the rest of the heroic little band under Lieut. Sachs. He himself and a number of his men were, however, already killed, though they had made the enemy pay dearly for their lives.

Now the artillery of the enemy was brought to bear upon our men. Their fire, balls and shrapnells, was well directed, but fortunately not very fatal. Only a few of our men were wounded by splinters of balls; among them was