September 21, 1861 continued

After the departure of Gen
Wise, important intelligence was received,
which necessitated Gen. Floyd to call a coun-
cil of his officers. In that council, it was
almost unanimously decided to retreat
forthwith to Meadow Bluff. Gen. Floyd &
Maj. Hounshell alone opposed it. Every
Colonel earnestly insisted upon the movement.
While it may be better have been better
to retreat, I now believe that had Gen. Floyd
carried out his plans & acted according to
his own judgement, the results wld. have
been equally favorable. His opinion
& advice about the management of this
army has hitherto proved the most reliable
of any presented. Before Since retreat-
ing over Gauley so unexpectedly, we were
very uneasy about the fate of 3 scouts, whom
we had sent to inspect Cox's camp a few
days before. These men, were of a number,
brought by Gen. Floyd from So. Western Va.,
distinguished for their hardihood & superior
daring & bravery. These men he kept
constantly near him for special service.
When Up to that time they had not returned
& the inference was, that they had either
been killed or had unconsciously strayed
into our old camp, now occupied by the
enemy. However to on that day, 15th Sept.
our doubts were dispelled by the appearances
of the identical scouts, who reported that
they ventured in sight of Cox's camp, thus
wound their way towards Carnifax, when
near that point a troope of cavalry pur-
sued them & fired several rounds at
them, striking the but of one of their
guns & blowing a hole through the other's
hat, This indeed was a narrow escape.
They lived for a ortion of the time on
geen corn & roots. They however con-
soled themselves by the reflexion that
they had slain at least 2 or 3 Yankees.