The Daily Dispatch: December 20, 1861., [Electronic resource]

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The battle of Alleghany--Col. Johnson's address to his troops.

A letter from an officer of the 12th Georgia regiment, received at this office, gives some additional particulars of the fight at Alleghany mountain on the 13th inst. "The enemy, under the command of Gen. Reynolds, attacked our position early in the morning.--Gen. Millroy, with 2,000 men, attacked our right, on the open mountain, undefended by any works whatever. We met them with about 300 men, and for four hours the contest was warm; and the result for a long time doubtful. At the same time, Gen. Reynolds with 3,000 assailed our left, which was eighty fortuned, and after one of the hardest fought battles of the war, lasting seven hours, we drove him from the right and left, off the mountain. He retreated in the greatest disorder. Our victory was thorough and complete, as evidenced by his rout and his dead upon the field. We killed some 200 of them, Col. Edward Johnson commanded our forces, and our victory was chiefly owing to his gallantry and bravery. He was on the field from first to last, cheering and encouraging the men. ‘"Where he commands, victory is certain."’

Our correspondent send a copy of Colonel Johnson's congratulatory address to his troops, which we append;

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Headquarters Monterey line,

General Orders, No--

It affords me great pleasure to congratulate the troop, officers and men of this command, upon the victory achieved by them over the enemy on the 13th inst.

With a force not exceeding twelve or fifteen hundred you repulsed the enemy numbering nearly, if not quite, 5,000. Attacked by superior numbers on your right, where there were no entrenchments, and on your left, where we had but partly constructed earth-works, you met him and in a hand-to-hand conflict, after a struggle of nearly seven (7) hours, drove him from the field. Not once did you falter.--Cheered on and animated by the heroic example of your officers, you drove the enemy from the summit of Alleghany back to his fastnesses in Cheat Mountain. and Virginians, you have met the same enemy you met at Green brier river on the 3d of October, and with an equally glorious result. Whilst we have abundant cause to thank God for this victory, let us not forget the gallant dead who fell by our sides, and whom we buried on Alleghany.

Remember their gallantry, and emulate their example.

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The following is an extract from a letter received by Mr. Branson, of the Senate, on yesterday, dated ‘"Top of Alleghany,"’ Dec. 16th, 1861:

‘ "We have had a most desperate battle.--The enemy attacked us early in the morning of the 13th. The attack was made in two columns — on the right there were 3,000; on the left 2,200. The fight commenced at ten minutes to seven o'clock A. M., and lasted to fifteen minutes to two o'clock P. M. On the right we had 400; on the left not exceeding 700. Our boys fought like veterans. The right was defended by the 31st regiment, Hansbrough's and Rogers's battalions, reinforced by two companies of Georgians. The enemy were finally driven back by a charge On the left the defence was made by the 52d regiment, commanded by Major Ross; eight companies of the 12th Georgia, Miller's, and Anderson's batteries.

"Enclosed I send you a list of the killed and wounded in the 31st. Major Boykin behaved nobly, and richly merits promotion. I have just heard that Col. Wm. L. Jackson has been reinstated to his regiment, Major Boykin promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, and John S. Hoffman, Major. The boys are delighted. They say, with such men they can ‘"whip the--"’ Col. Johnson says they have covered themselves with glory. He was in chief command. I wish he was General, for he fully deserves it. He was everywhere that danger was most imminent."

’ The following is the list of killed and wounded of the 31st Virginia regiment:

1. Company A.--Killed--Lt. Lewis S. Thompson, Privates Lemon, Tennant, and Henry Nichols. Wounded--Lieut. Davis Toothman, Privates Jacob Tuoker, James S. Kerr, Frank Mandel.
2. Company B.--Killed — none. Wounded — Privates A Helmick. Missing--16.
3. Company C.--Killed--Sergeant John A. Nutter, Corporals Ethelbert Smith and Aldridge J. Cropp, and, Privates James L. Smith and George W. Whitman. Wounded — John Pridmore, William S. Taylor, Granville C Lake Octerman Bond, Alfred Sims, Joseph C. Snider, and Martin L. Dawson.
4. Company D.--Killed — H. D. Springston.
5. Company E. No.1.--Killed — none. Wounded — John W. Bird, Robert McLaughlin, and James Pullins.
6. Company F, No. 2.--Wounded — Andrew J. Lockridge.
7. Company G.--Wounded — G. M. Beveridge, Isaac Sheets, S. Haggins, and E. Wilfong.
8. Company H.--Wounded--Lieut. Isaac N. Johnson, Privates M. Golden, and P. M. Talbott.
9. Company I.--Wounded--Lieut. W. B. McRemar, Serg't T. A. Crompton, Privates G. A. Bagby, A. A. Howton, J. W. Howton, J. N. Powers, P. W. Bruffy, N. S. Smith, and David H. Hall
10. Company K.--Wounded--Lieutenant John R. Phillips, Privates D. Cross and Robert Godwin.