University of Virginia Library

GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE SENT TO WESTERN VIRGINIA.

Wise and Floyd both having shown themselves unable to hold a position
in West Virginia, General Lee, the ablest officer in Virginia,
marched at the head of 9,000 men against General Reynolds, who was
lying with a considerable force at Cheat Mountain. The attack was
made on the 14th of September, and after several hours' severe fighting

Lee was forced to retreat, leaving 100 dead upon the field. Among the
latter was Colonel John Washington, a recent proprietor of Mount Vernon.
Lee's army halted on the banks of Greenbrier river, and began
to intrench itself. General Reynolds, after receiving reinforcements, set
out on the 2d of October from Cheat Mountain with a force of 5,000
men to drive Lee from his position. Colonel Kimball, with the 14th
Indiana, led the advance, while General Milroy, with a portion of his
brigade, was to deploy to the left, drive in the pickets and force the Confederates
within their intrenchment. At daylight he arrived at Greenbrier
bridge and found it occupied. A charge was made, the bridge
carried, and a crossing effected. Then began an artillery duel which
fairly shook the surrounding mountains. Soon, however, three of Lee's
guns were disabled, and he again retreated. The Federal loss was eight
killed and thirty-two wounded.

Lee left General Johnston, of Georgia, with 2,000 men on the summit
of the Alleghanies and continued his march to Staunton. Milroy
marched against Johnston, taking with him the 13th Indiana and two
other regiments, and on the 15th of December reached Camp Alleghany,
where he found the Confederates strongly fortified. An engagement
took place, the results of which were not advantageous to either side,
the loss being about 130 on both sides. Milroy withdrew and fell back
to Cheat Mountain. This practically put an end to the war in Western
Virginia.