Latest from Western Virginia--Withdrawal of Federal troops, &c.
The Cincinnati
Enquirer, of the 12th, has the following interesting intelligence in regard to the movements of the
Federal forces in
Western Virginia:
‘
The steamer ‘"
Mary Cook"’ arrived last evening from the
Kanawha river, bringing from the camps near
Gauley Bridge 184 sick and wounded soldiers, who were immediately taken from the steamer to the
Marine Hospital.
Our fellow-citizen,
Mr. Quinn, who has been spending a few weeks in
Western Virginia, was also a passenger on the ‘"
Cook,"’ and from him we learn very important particulars from that section of the
State.
He corroborates the statement of
Col. Frizell, that the entire country of the
Kanawha Valley is devastated, and that farmers are leaving as rapidly as transportation can be found to bring them
North.
Forage is out of the question and provisions cannot be procured.
The condition of the roads and country is such that an army of 2,000 men could not winter there, the impossibility of transportation being so great, and the risk of reaching the army with supplies, &c., so hazardous.
Generals Rosencranz and
Cox are at Mountain
Cave, only thirteen miles from
Gauley Bridge, with only six thousand troops, who are able to perform active duty, and are available.
Between
Gauley Bridge and Camp Lookout there were, on Tuesday last, 1,640 patients in the hospitals, prostrated with camp fever.
At Cross Lanes, near Carnifax Ferry, and about twenty-eight miles from
Gauley Bridge, are 160 patients.
Those that can bear moving are to be brought here as rapidly as steamers can be secured.
During the past two weeks there have been continuous rains, and the roads are almost impassable.
The campaign in
Western Virginia is virtually ended, and preparations are on foot to withdraw a portion of our forces there, and send them into
Kentucky, leaving only a sufficient force to prevent the rebels from approaching north of
Gauley river or west of
Cheat Mountain.
The probabilities are, however, that the Seceders have no desire to come through a country they have already laid waste and left barren.
Mr. Quinn was at Sewell's Mountain when a battle between our forces and the rebels was so imminent.
The enemy were entrenched on a mountain four miles and a half from our army, and their camp fires were plainly visible.
The enemy's pickets fired upon the
Federal pickets, but no damage was done.
On Sunday evening
Gen. Rosencranz fell back on Camp Lookout, and then to Mountain
Cave.
We will not be surprised to hear of
Rosencranz in
Kentucky within ten days. The enemy have already gone in the direction of
Cumberland Gap.
’
