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reconnoiter the position of the enemy on the Greenbriar river, twelve miles distant. Here General Wise had established a strong camp, named camp Defiance, in consideration of its strength, on the summit of Sewall Mountain. His force was 7,000 men, with eleven pieces of artillery. Gen. Floyd, with 1,500 men, remained at Meadow Bluff. Gen. Lee took command of camp Defiance on September 24th.

Gen. Reynolds commenced his march at one o'clock in the morning. The enemy was found in very strong force and advantageously posted, on a high declivity known as Buffalo Hill, and which could only be approached by coming directly under the guns placed in terraces one above the other. The attack was made in front, and entirely with artillery. The enemy was driven from his lower positions, but his large force and great advantages, enabled him to hold his position, and after a spirited cannonade of four hours, and when our ammunition was nearly exhausted, our forces withdrew, having accomplished the object of the expedition. We lost eight killed, and thirty-two wounded. Rebel loss not ascertained.

On the 26th of October, Gen. Kelly, with the Virginia and Ohio Volunteers, numbering 2500 men, left New Creek on an expedition against Romney. A supporting movement was, at the same time, made by the 2d Maryland Regiment, Col. Thomas Johns, consisting of 700 men. The latter was to threaten an attack upon the north side of the town, which he did with great gallantry and efficiency, having one killed and six wounded, while the former was to make the principal attack from the west. But Gen. Kelly encountered the enemy, some five miles from the town. A sharp and obstinate conflict ensued, but a bold charge of infantry and cavalry upon the enemy's batteries, caused them to beat a precipitate retreat, abandoning to the victors, three cannon, three wagon loads of new rifles, tents and other supplies, and about fifty prisoners. Our loss was but two men killed, and fifteen wounded, that

266

BUTCHERY AT GUYANDOTTE.

of the enemy twenty killed, and fifteen wounded. The rebels fled toward Winchester, and held the pass between Staunton and Cheat Mountain.

Guyandotte, a small village in Western Virginia, of about 1000 inhabitants, was made the theatre of one of the most inhuman butcheries of Union soldiers, of which this barbarous war has furnished an example. Most of its inhabitants. were open and avowed rebels. On the 10th of November, it was in the possession of about 150 Union troops. No apprehensions of an attack were entertained, and no suitable precautions had been taken to guard against it. Many of the men at the time, were scattered about the town, at various residences, whither they had gone on the treacherous invitations of those who were in the plot to consummate their butchery. They were unarmed guests of those base assassins. It is said that concerted signals had been arranged, to give information of the houses at which such soldiers were visiting, so that their murderous assailants would know just where to strike. About 8 o'clock in the evening, a force of 400 rebel cavalry dashed into the town, and commenced the work of slaughter. The Union forces rallied as soon as possible, but few only could get to their guns, and for a time maintained a resolute defense, but were overpowered, slain, captured or dispersed.

The news spread rapidly, and the Union troops nearest the point, were ordered to advance upon the town, which they reached the next day, but the rebels had fled, before their arrival. When our troops appeared, the treacherous inhabitants fawned about the landing, displaying white flags, hoping in that way to shield themselves from that punishment which their brutality had so justly provoked. But their duplicity was understood, and their depravity punished. The town was fired, and about three fourths of it consumed-a fit retribution for the treacherous assassins. The property of Union men

BATTLE OF GREEN BRIAR.

267

was spared, though some of it was burned in the general conflagration.

On Thursday morning, December 12th, the Union troops, under the command of Brig. Gen. R. H. Milroy, took up their march for the enemy's camp, on the Greenbriar River, called camp Allegany. The forces thus advanced numbered about 1750 men. The enemy's force was 2000. The design was to surprise the camp early on the following morning; which was but partially successful, for before the attack could be made, the enemy had formed, and were ready to receive them. A severe, and for the numbers engaged, a very bloody contest, of six hours ensued, at the close of which, our troops were compelled to return to camp, with the loss of 20 killed, 107 wounded, 10 missing. The rebel loss 25 killed, 97 wounded, and 30 prisoners. Col. Jones thus details the contest :

"One company of the 13th Indiana, being in advance, was conducted by Lieutenant McDonald, of General Reynolds' staff, until we arrived at the edge of the woods, in full view of the enemy's camp. Finding them already formed, and advancing with a large force to attack us, Lieutenant McDonald halted the company of the 13th Indiana, and ordered it to deploy into line. Immediately he formed the 25th Ohio on his left, and the other two companies of the 13th Indiana on our left, and a detachment of the 32d Ohio formed on their left. The fire was already opened on the right, and was carried through the lines. After a few rounds, the enemy retreated in great confusion, with great slaughter, leaving their dead and wounded. They now again rallied, and commenced to advance, returning our fire with great vigor. Some of the men commenced falling to the rear all along the line. Captains Charlesworth and Crowe, of the 25th Ohio, Lieutenant McDonald, Captains Myers and Newland, of the 13th Indiana, and Captain Hamilton, of the 32d Ohio, rallied them, and brought them up into line in a few moments.

"The enemy fell back, and attempted to turn our right flank, but was immediately met and repulsed. Our men by this time had become broken, but were again rallied by the officers of the different companies, who conducted themselves nobly. The enemy again attempted to advance upon us, but shared the same fate as before, and after making several attempts to drive us from the woods, deployed to the left, to turn our left flank and get into our rear. I ordered a portion of the command to advance and attack them, which was done in a gallant manner, the enemy retiring to their cabins. They soon appeared again, however, and our men finding that they were not receiving the support of the 9th Indiana and 2d Virginia, quite a number commenced retreating, and it was with great difficulty that they were rallied. Some did not return, but disgracefully left the field. The remainder of the command fought like veteran soldiers, and drove the rebels again to their cabins; but they were soon rallied by their officers, and renewed their attack with a large re-enforcement, pouring a galling fire into our thinned ranks, yet our men held their position, and returned the fire with great energy and slaughter, the officers of the different detachments urging and cheering them on. Many of the men had left the field with the wounded, and some without cause, which had very much reduced our number, and our ammunition was almost exhausted. Their artillery was turned upon us with shot and shell, but without any effect, and the enemy was again compelled to retire to their cabins, with great slaughter, as usual. Our ammunition being exhausted, I thought it prudent to fall back to the head-quarters of the commanding General, which was done in good order."

ton.

The rebels set fire to their camp, and retreated to Staun

The rebel depot of military stores, at Huntersville, to the amount of about $30,000 was captured and destroyed, by