Hillsborough (NC) Recorder
July 24, 1861
Page 3
ACCOUNT
OF AN EYE WITNESS
RICHMOND, July 15, 1861—To the Editor of the Whig: Camp
Garnett is situated in a
gorge just beyond the pass that runs between Rich and another mountain. On Tuesday last, Col. Pegram,
knowing the importance of this point, detached three companies, (Buckingham Lee
Guard, Rockbridge Guard and Pryor Rifles,) and one gun from the Lynchburg
Artillery, to secure the position at all hazards. They gained the height, and about ten o’clock had built the breastwork
to the height of two logs; meanwhile, the enemy, guided by the Union
mountaineers, had by squads and companies reached a point beyond the
breastworks and a little more elevated.
Immediately they commenced an attack upon our unfinished breastworks
from the distance of fifteen hundred yards.
They advanced, and fired with Minnie rifles incessantly. No execution however was done with these
arms. Our loss was at shorter distance
from the deadly fire of our brother Virginians.
Approaching within five hundred yards, they began to feel the fatal
shots from our boys. At this and shorter
distances they were mowed down like wheat before the blade at every volley from
us. [Ed. note: There appears to be a punctuation error in original copy here.]
Highland
county, July 16:
I
judge before you get this letter, the news will have reached you of our
defeat. The battle of Rich Mountain
took place on the 11th of this month. We were surrounded by superior forces from
eight to ten thousand. Our company acted
bravely. We lost from ten to twenty
killed and wounded, besides some fifteen to twenty that are probably taken
prisoners. The battle lasted about 24
hours, when we found out that the only way of escape to ourselves was by
retreating. We had a terrible time
fleeing through the mountains, but arrived in this place yesterday
evening. I am well, but feel very tired
and stiff. I am the only officer left. Capt. Anderson was taken prisoner and I heard
he was killed. Statham was shot and was
probably taken prisoner. Raine and Massie are also taken prisoners. Wyth Turner, Isaiah
Rider, and several others whom I do not now recollect, were killed. We are now within 46 miles of Staunton, and will
probably go to that place and fortify, as the enemy have a very large force,
and say they intend to go to Richmond
by that route. Gov. Letcher met us on
the road day before yesterday.
[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]
