September 12, 1861 continued

That this movement succeeded was
the most astounding,wonderful, instance
of su escape ever recorded. The firing
of 5 guns I believe, wld. have stampeded
our men ^'&c' the brigade wld. have destroyed
itself. As it was, in the face of an overwhelm-
ing army, in & ^'with' 10 minutes notice, we
withdrew our entire Brigade & baggage
across one of the swiftest streams in
Virginia, & that too, in the darkness of
night. This retreat is not ^'scarcely' surprassed by
the crossing of the Delaware by Washington
in its execution & its its happy results.

According to the bet information,
the loss of the enemy in killed was several
hundred, while none were killed on our
side, but about 20 wounded, some severe-
ly. Several tents & wagons & 2,500 or
3000 rounds of ammunition fell into
the hands of the enemy, together with
the General's stage, containing various
unimportant articles, -- also his flag,
the loss of which grieved us greatly.
A few horses were lost. All this would
have been avoided, had we not been
compelled to bring over upwards of 200
sick men who occupied many wagons.
Having crossed safely, -- destroyed our
temporary bridge, boats, &c we retired
on yesterday to this position, where
Gen. Wise is stained, leaving a
small guard at the ferry.

One event must be mentioned in this
connexion, & it is this, the General's ever
faithful servants John & Sam boldly
ventured to the top of the hill, after it was
entirely deserted & brought away one of
our private wagons. this action was
one that not but few wld. have ventured,
hereafter let me hear no more of the
inferior spirit & courage of our servants.
To the fidelity & daring of these, we
are indebted for all our baggage.

As creditable & honorable as this battle
and signal repulse of the enemy in five
distinct efforts to storm & drive us from out
position was to Gen. Floyd & the gallant sons
of Virginia in his command, nevertheless it was
a sad, unfortunate necessity which impelled u
to desert the position -- a necessity arising from
the gross, outrageous, disobedience of Gen. Floyd's
orders by Gen. Wise, whose envy, jealousy & con-
temptable selfishness imperiled the lives o
men far more precious than his own his.