It was expected that the scattered fugitives would be met. and captured by Gen. Hill, before they could cross the mountains; but owing to some unexplained cause, this was not done, and they made good their escape. The following description of the particulars of this engagement possesses per

manent interest:

"Gen. Morris' command entered the camp at Laurel Hill at 10 A. M. on Friday, the 12th, and at 11 o'clock the 14th Ohio and 7th and 9th Indiana regiments started on in pursuit. The command pushed on about two miles south of Leedsville that night, and halted to rest from 11 P. M. till 2 A. M. At that early hour on Saturday morning, the force pushed forward in a pitiless rain storm, guided by the baggage, tents, trunks, blankets, haversacks, knapsacks, and even clothing, of the flying enemy. It was found by our advanced guard that the enemy, in striking off on the "Leading Creek" road, had felled trees across it as they fled, to retard the movement of our artillery. Fortunately, a guide directed our men into a cross-road, which, though extremely rough, led again into the route of the enemy, at some distance from the Beverly road, and this road for that distance was unobstructed. Reaching the enemy's track again, it was found necessary to keep relays of axe men at work in advance to clear the road, and yet, in the face of the terrible storm, our gallant men literally cut their way through, handling their axes like heroes, and gaining on the enemy sensibly every hour.

"The road was a terribly rough one, and was rendered extremely muddy by the rain, and the passage of several thousand troops in front had not improved its condition; but when it was found that the enemy had left the turnpike and struck off to the right over a mere wood-path, up and down the roughest hills, over rocks, and through a dense forest, hoping to discourage pursuit, there was still no flinching. The boys had no time to eat or rest, and thought nothing of such

BATTLE OF CARRACK'S FORD.

225

things-they were after the enemy, and with this incentive and the prospect of a fight ahead, they performed one of the most severe marches of the war with an eager alacrity exhilarating to behold. This route led across the branches of the Cheat River several times, the men plunging through the streams with a dash, and hurrying forward with renewed zeal, as the articles thrown away along the road began to indicate that the foe was so hard pushed that he must soon endeavor to make a stand.

"At the fourth ford, known as Carrack's Ford, we caught sight of the enemy. Some thirty or forty wagons were discovered in the river, and at the banks of the ford, apparently stuck fast. As our column pushed rapidly forward across a level space, the 14th Regiment, Colonel Stedman, in front, the teamsters called out that they would surrender. The position, however, looked so suspicious that the men were disposed in proper order, and skirmishers were thrown out toward the ford, the line moving down in fine order. Just as our advance was near the stream, and only about 200 yards from a steep bluff rising on the other side, an officer was seen to rise from the bushes and give an order to fire, and immediately a volley, coming from the brow of the hill, followed by a very rapidly delivered fire from their artillery, announced the fact that the enemy had taken a stand on his own ground. The 14th and 7th Indiana formed under the fire, and with the utmost rapidity began to return it, our sharp-shooters picking off numbers of the enemy, whose fire went almost entirely over the heads of our men, the shot from three rifled guns cutting off the trees from two to four feet over the heads of the troops in position. The 14th Ohio, being nearest the ford, were almost exclusively aimed at, and for a while the iron hail above them was terrible, the roar of the guns across the river, the crashing of trees, shells bursting, and volley upon volley of musketry, making 'war's fell music' for at

226

BATTLE OF CARRACK'S FORD.

least twenty minutes. Yet the men stood like stones, and returned fire with the greatest rapidity and the best of order. Not a man flinched. Meantime, Burnett's artillery came up and opened, and, under cover of their well-directed fire, the 7th Indiana was directed to cross the river, and climb the steep, almost perpendicular face of the bluff, on the enemy's right. The order was in process of execution, and two companies had nearly scaled the cliff, when they were ordered to return, and Captain Benham directed them to take down the bed of the stream, under the bluff, and between, but below, the fire of both armies, and turn the enemy's right flank. No sooner said than it was undertaken, Colonel Dumont led his men down the stream so rapidly, that the enemy were unable to bring their guns to bear upon them until they were concealed by the smoke, and out of reach of the depression of the guns on the bluff. Meantime, the 14th Ohio and the 9th Indiana, with the artillery, kept up a brisk fire in front, until, with a cheer, Colonel Dumont's men scaled the lower bank on the enemy's right, and poured in a volley. No sooner were our boys seen coming over the brink of the river bank than the entire force of the enemy, variously estimated at from 3,000 to 4,000, fled in the wildest confusion.

"On came the regiments and artillery from beyond the river, and our whole force joined in a hot pursuit. After leading along about a quarter of a mile, the road again crosses the stream, and at this point General Garnett endeavored vainly to stop his routed troops and rally them around him. Major Gordon, of the 7th Indiana, leading the advance, reached the bank in pursuit, among the first, and, discovering a point from which fire could be effectively delivered, called up Capt. Ferry's company of his regiment, and ordered them to fire. Garnett stood near the river bank, and fell, shot through the heart. A Georgia boy was the only one who fell near him. The panic-stricken forces of the enemy abandoned the dead

GEN. MCCLELLAN'S REPORT.

227

body of the general, and fled up the hill in utter rout. They were pursued about two miles, when our exhausted men were recalled."

Gen. McClellan laconcically reported these brilliant events in the following manner to Assistant Adjutant Gen. Townsend :

"General Garnett and his forces have been routed and his baggage and one gun taken. His army is completely demoralized. General Garnett was killed while attempting to rally his forces at Carrack Ford, near St. George. We have completely annihilated the enemy in Western Virginia. Our loss is but thirteen killed, and not more than forty wounded, while the enemy's loss is not far from two hundred killed, and the number of prisoners we have taken will amount to at least one thousand. We have captured seven of the enemy's guns in all. A portion of Garnett's forces retreated, but I look for their capture by General Hill, who is in hot pursuit. The troops that Garnett had under his command are said to be the crack regiment of Eastern Virginia, aided by Georgians, Tennesseeans and Carolinians. Our success is complete, and I firmly believe that secession is killed in this section of the country."

Gen. McClellan's address to his soldiers, after their fatiguing marches, and the successes which we have recorded, is, at once, a model of style, and a deserved compliment to noble and heroic deeds:

"Soldiers of the Army of the West :-I am more than satisfied with you. You have met and annihilated two armies, commanded by educated and experienced soldiers, intrenched in mountain fastnesses, and fortified at their leisure. You have taken five guns, twelve colors, fifteen hundred stand of arms, one thousand prisoners, including more than 40 officers. One of the two commanders of the Rebels is a prisoner, the other lost his life on the field of battle. You have killed

228

GEN. MC CLELLAN'S ADDRESS.

more than two hundred and fifty of the enemy, who has lost all his baggage and camp equipage. All this has been accomplished with the loss of twenty brave men killed, and sixty wounded on your part. You have proved that Union men, fighting for the preservation of our Government, are more than a match for our misguided and erring brothers. More than this, you have shown mercy to the vanquished. You have made long and arduous marches, with insufficient food, frequently exposed to the inclemency of the weather. I have not hesitated to demand this of you, feeling that I could rely on your endurance, patriotism, and courage. In the future I may have still greater demands to make upon you—still greater sacrifices for you to offer. It shall be my care to provide for you to the extent of my ability; but I know now that by your valor and endurance you will accomplish all that is asked. Soldiers, I have confidence in you, and I trust you have learned to confide in me. Remember that discipline and subordination are qualities of equal value with courage. I am proud to say that you have gained the highest reward that American troops can receive-the thanks of Congress and the applause of your fellow-citizens."

Ten days after this, Gen. McClellan was called to Washington, to re-organize the army of the Potomac, and Col. Rosecrans was promoted to the rank of Brig. General, and placed in command of the Department of the Ohio.