The engagement at Ieminsville — a correction.
Camp of 13th Va. Regiment,Fairfax Station Sept. 17th, 1861.
Editor of the Dispatch: I notice in the Dispatch. of yesterday, an account of the engagement at Lewinsville last Wednesday, in which the 7th Virginia Regiment (Col. Kemper) is given the credit of the affair; and several other errors, are made.
By way of correction, and as a matter of interest to many of your readers, I enclose copies of the official accounts of Gens. Johnston and Longstreet, from which it will be seen that the only infantry engaged were 305 of the 13th Va. Reg't that we half only two pieces of artillery, while the enemy and and that the enemy with a completer out. And I would here state that it is a mistake into which your correspondent seems to have fallen, that Gen. Longstreet's brigade has been for the most part occupying the advanced posits.
The 13th Virginia for ports of has been marched down there three times — as the blistered feet of our boys will abundantly testify-and indeed and firing of there positions, our regiment has spent at least three-fourths of our time in charging the severe duties us their outposts.
The other regiments of our brigade, (10th Virginia 3d Tennessee, and Maryland Line.!!) also come in for their full share; and other brigades besides that of the gallant Longstreet, have also been represented.
The Northern account of the affair at Law
insville is of course as false as the general run of their versions of fights with the ‘"rebels."’ Our battery was not ‘"silenced."’--they did not ‘"wait to give battle,"’ but as our skirmishers emerged from the woods and Major Terrill gave orders in a loud tone to ‘"shoot down the cannonries and horses,"’ they did not even discharge a piece that they had ‘"in position"’ but fled in great confusion.
While our artillery engaged their battery our boys lay quietly on the ground and listened to the music of shell and shot as they flew over their heads, but did them no damage.
McClellan in his official report, admits, that they had 2,000 men — their loss was at least fifteen killed and six prisoners. You will probably receive an account of the taking of Hall's Hill in which two companies of our regiment (the ‘"Barboursville Guard,"’ and ‘"Boomerangs,"’) and a detachment of the ‘"Maryland Line"’ supported two pieces of the Washington Artillery, drove back a superior force of the enemy, killed a number and took eight prisoners. Justice.
Headq'rs advanced forces
Army of the Potomac, Sept. 13, 1861.
General Order No-16.
The commanding General is pleased to express his high appreciation of the conduct of the officers and soldiers under Col. Stuart in the combat at Lewinsville, on the 11th inst. Such deeds are worthy the emulation of the best trained soldiers.
Three hundred and five infantry, under Major Terrill, a section of Artillery under Capt. Rosser, and a detachment of 1st Cavalry under Capt. Patrick, met and routed at least three times their numbers of infantry, artillery and cavalry without loss.
This handsome affair should remind our forces that numbers are of little avail compared with the importance of coolness, firmness, and careful attention to orders.
If our men will do themselves justice, the enemy cannot stand before them.
