From Gov. Wise's Legion.
the Valley of Virginia — a beautiful country — how the minions crossed into Virginia — depredations — a battle expected, &c., &c.
[special correspondence of the Dispatch]
Wise's Legion, Gaulet Bridge, July 13, 1861.
I drop you a line in haste from this romantic spot.
The bridge from which the place is called, spans the Gauley River, at the very verge of its union with New River, to form by their conflux the Great Kanawha.
A half mile below are the Great Falls — great, however, only in name — insignificant in size, and tame in music.
The head of the Valley is just wide enough for the river's passage, and it does not average over a mile in width until you approach within five or six miles of Charleston, where, upon the right, the mountain melts away into a succession of round, arable hills.
The Valley is of Arcadian beauty, and rich in soil as a Western Tempe, while coal, salt and oil creep out of the earth, or actually pour themselves on the bosom of the river.
We have permitted this garden to be so long tributary to Cincinnati, that she now claims it entirely; and this leads me to what you will doubtless consider more interesting — the landing and march upon Charleston of the Federal forces.
In the first place, the Ohio wolves swam the river in boats and desolated the beautiful place and property of Hon. A. S. Jenkins, member of the late United States Congress, and destroyed or carried off property estimated at $30,000. Capt. Jenkins, however, has determined to get even with them; and, to begin, captured, a day or two ago, a steamboat on the Ohio, and took therefrom one box of revolvers and one of swords.
He is a brilliant partizan chieftain, and perfectly fearless.
When last heard from, he was in rear of the Federal army, which is rapidly advancing on Charleston; he may be cut off, but most likely his mother mountains will fold him safely within their bosoms.
As to the advance upon Charleston, the following is authentic:
On yesterday, at 8 A. M., the Federal forces passed through Buffalo in force, estimated at 3,000, and later in the day 2,000 more arrived at that place.
On the day before, they had taken possession of Point Pleasant, captured two of Capt. Jenkins' men, and fired into a crowd of retreating citizens, killing Mr. S. H. Miller.
On the same day, (Thursday,) they landed at Guyandotte in force, estimated by an eyewitness at 400, and also dropped 100 at Meadow Bottom.
This force is now on the advance, magnified to 1,500.
From Ripley, the county seat of Jackson, they are advancing also, in numbers estimated at not less than 1,200, while Glenville is in the hands of the hostile force, which I informed you in my last was waging war in Gilmer.
This force is intended to get behind this point, or make a movement upon it, so as to lock us up in the Kanawha Valley.
For ourselves, we are in no wise alarmed at these well-planned movements of the enemy.
They have all been foreseen, and, as far as circumstances permitted, anticipated.
The very finest spirit prevails, and the country boys are beginning to take down the deer-skin shot-pouch and shoulder that female instrument which ‘"allers flings her lead whar you holl her."’ called a mountain rifle.
We may be defeated, but we have one consolation, we can't be whipped. Every step will be bravely disputed,--every pass a Thermopolæ, and ‘"Resurgam"’ written on every grave. L. 