The battle at Rich Mountain.
--The Lynchburg Virginian publishes the following extract from an officer in the Lee Battery, engaged in the
battle at Rich Mountain, to his father in that place, dated
Monterey, Highland county, July 15:
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 2½ 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 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 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.