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[285] the Huntersville road, while it was supposed that Echols was in the direction of the White Sulphur and Rocky Gap. With the detachment and train on the other side of the river, our General, who had shared all our privations, and by his skill had brought us through so many dangers, felt his responsibility, and was greatly disturbed; but if he could have heard the kind words of sympathy that fell from the lips of those tired, rugged veterans, he would have felt refreshed and encouraged, but he was equal to this emergency also. Although it was thought that we were surrounded by six rebel columns, yet there was one road open; he sent an order to Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson to burn the bridges, and, if the rebels changed position, for the rear-guard to swim the river; this was done, and a Union lady pointed out a ford by which they crossed.

In the afternoon, the brigade started up a path that led up a ravine, from Callaghan's to the top of the Alleghanies, and crossed with the artillery, and camped for the night on Dunlap's Creek, with three open roads, but supposed that the enemy held the one leading to Huntersville.

A rebel column came to Callaghan's the same evening, and encamped five miles from us.

Our march the next day was over by-roads; and late in the afternoon crossed the Green Briar, and, after a rest of an hour, pushed on to Hillsborough, and camped on part of the Droop Mountain battle-field. Here we began to feel a degree of security, as we knew that we had an open road before us, and the enemy were far in our rear.

Major Gibson was sent with his battalion to blockade the Huntersville road, but found that Jackson had done it effectually, from fear of Colonel Moore; so, after the most comfortable night's rest that we had enjoyed during our retreat, and paying a visit to our wounded that had been left after the Droop Mountain fight, we resumed the march. Our rations consisted of parched-corn, coffee, and frozen apples. The wind was so cold that it was painful to the eyes, and our poor horses almost worn out. Their shoes, owing to the rocks and ice, were worn perfectly smooth. We left Marling Bottom during the morning, and began the ascent of the Green Briar Mountain; it began to sleet, and the icy road so smooth that it was with the utmost difficulty that our poor horses could walk at all. The sufferings of the men and horses were almost intolerable, and our march was very slow, and a number of the horses that had stood the other raids were abandoned that evening and night. It was touching to see the poor animals, after being stripped of saddles and equipments, with sunken eyes, the brightness gone, shivering in the road, with not sufficient life to get out of the way of the moving column, which would part to the right and left, as if commiserating the condition of the poor animals that a sad necessity consigned to the cold solitude of the mountains.

This night we encamped near Mrs. Gibson's, on the head of Elk River, and within our own lines, but had hardly any thing to eat, and a small allowance of hay for our horses. Next morning, resumed the march over the same kind of roads, crossed Elk Mountain, and camped for the night on the top of the Valley Mountain, at the Mingo Flats.

Here we felt almost home, and visions of crackers and bacon began to float in our imaginations, and at this time our stock of coffee was exhausted. We reached the mouth of Elkwater at noon, where we met a supply-train from Colonel Moore, with the wished — for crackers, and with our crackers and coffee forgot, in a measure, the hardships of the expedition. We camped for the night near Huttonville, and Christmas day, in the afternoon, made our triumphal entry into Beverley, where we rested one day, and, by easy marches, reached the railroad on New-Year's day.



Rebel Narratives

Richmond, December 28, 1863.
An officer who participated in the recent fight between the forces under General William L. Jackson and the Yankees under Averill, gives us the following interesting narrative of that gallant affair:

On the thirteenth instant, scouts belonging to General Jackson's brigade reported that a Yankee force of about five thousand cavalry, including two batteries of artillery, were advancing down Black Creek, toward Gatewood's, within twelve miles of Warm Springs, in Bath County.

Information had at that time been received from General Samuel Jones, that a heavy force of Yankees were also advancing upon Lewisburgh from the Kanawha valley. General Jackson at once concluded that the force of five thousand under Averill would strike for the Tennessee Railroad, by way of the Sweet Springs, and he immediately put his force in motion to intercept them on their return, as he could not pursue them, owing to having only about one hundred and twenty-five mounted men, the balance of his command being dismounted infantry. Crossing at McGraw's Gap, General Jackson came to Jackson's River, and found it swollen and past fording, with no bridge except the railroad bridge. Infantry could cross on that, but it seemed to be madness to attempt to cross wagons and artillery on it. Jackson, however, with indomitable energy and perseverance, had the wagons and artillery drawn over the bridge by the men. He then continued the march on to Callahan's, but, from information derived from his scouts, he was convinced that Averill would return by the Rich Patch road, which taps the Covington turnpike near Jackson's River depot. He forthwith moved his command down to Jackson's River depot, and directed the Island Ford bridge to be burned as soon as it was ascertained that the enemy were advancing toward it. Jackson then took a strong position near the Jackson's River depot, at the point where the Rich Patch road connects the Covington turnpike. He then directed his mounted men, under Captain Sprague, to move on the Rich Patch road until they met the enemy's advance, and to attack them desperately,


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