Retreat of Rosencranz — full particulars.
have at length received a full and account of the retreat of
Rosencranz Federal army from
Big Sewell Mountain .
On the morning of Sunday, the 6th it was discovered that the enemy, who encamped about a mile and a half of our forces, at the
Sturgeon farm, top of
Sewell, had removed his tents, far as appearances indicated, retreated
Savage, of the 7th Tennessee instantly made an advance with companies of his command, and the Rifles,
Captain Jones.
The deployed two companies upon and left of the road to stir up the should he be concealed in the with the object of ambuscading, while
Captain Jones's company and another cautiously along the pike.
No was found, however, and in due time
Savage, with his little command, up the declivity into the centre of encampment.
Rosencranz (to use expression) had "smelled a mice," with all possible diligence, cover of darkness, leaving several wagons, a large lot of cooking utensils, and of every description.
to the westward, some seven or away, the enemy was discovered retreat, making, in all probability, for Gap or
Gauley river.
He was much alarmed, as — beside the wastage camp — flour, sugar, coffee, and other were strewn from the summit to the of the mountain, a distance of five miles enemy had thrown up no fortifications his camp, but lay for two weeks shot of our force, and completely Had this been known in time, the army would, ere this, have been on way, as prisoners, to
Richmond.
This is fact, inasmuch as
Rosencranz enjoyed a considerable reputation as a but no military man would be of the blunder of leaving his camp for such a length of time, to any that might be made upon it, and the constantly in sight.
ranging through the
Yankee encamp for an hour,
Gen. Lee, who arrived after
Col. Savage, ordered the troops to , and thus ended the pursuit, of which rumors have heretofore reached at last advices were lying in the behind breastworks that could avail wondering whither they would --East or West.
