Posted inUS Civil War

June 11, 1861 – The Skirmish at Phillppi

Lewisburg, Va., June 6th, 1861.

Messrs. Editors : We have just received special message from the seat of war in Barbour county. Our informant was dispatched for the purpose of ascertaining the facts concerning the position of the enemy. His statement can be relied on, as he is endorsed by several gentlemen who know him intimately.

It seems our troops were advancing on Phillipi, when they were met by the Indiana and Ohio troops, numbering five or seven hundred, and were driven back to Beverley, Randolph county. They captured our arms and ammunition – four hundred stand – and cut off Captain Moorman’s company of rifles, and eighty men of Captain Hall’s company, from the main body. These men immediately took refuge in the thick undergrowth of the mountains, and opened a destructive fire upon their ranks – each one picking off the man directly in front of him. The enemy lost on their side 250. Their Colonel, Kelly, was mortally wounded. Our loss is six or eight killed, with about the same number taken prisoners, and three or four wounded. Quartermaster Simms, of Richmond, was killed, [this has been contradicted] and Leroy Dangerfield had his leg shot off. I could not obtain the list of killed and wounded entire, or I would give it.

Posted inUS Civil War

June 10, 1861 – The Encampment of the Second Regiment

But little of importance transpired at “Camp Underwood” yesterday, the day being spent entirely in the routine of army duties. The dress parade at 6 30 P. M. was very well executed, considering the slight experience some of the companies have had in the manual of arms, and the entire absence of uniforms and muskets.

Captain Henry Whiting has received his commission as Colonel, and will take command of the Regiment to-morrow.  

Posted inMaritime & Naval History US Civil War

June 9, 1861 – The First Charleston Prize

Confederate privateer Savannah
The Confederate States privateer Savannah, letter of marque No. 1, captured off Charleston, by the U. S. brig Perry, Lieut. Parrott.”

We learn on direct and reliable authority that a valuable prize has been secured by the Privateer Savannah, which left this port a few days ago between the bars of the Lincoln blockade.

This prize was the brig Joseph, of Portland, (Me.) from Havana, for Philadelphia, with a cargo of sugar, valued at $30,000, and was taken into Georgetown, South Carolina, in masterly style.

Posted inUS Civil War

June 8, 1861 – The Manassas Junction

As this is this locality near which the command of Cols. Gregg and Kershaw are posted, all information from that point will be read with interest by their friends. A correspondent of the Richmond Dispatch, under date of the 27th, (Monday,) writes :

“Leaving our camp at Chimborazo heights early Saturday morning, we did not reach this place until yesterday evening. All along the route cheering crowds welcomed our coming, and fair hands showered boquets in copious profusion upon us. At Louisa C. H. the citizens provided us with an elegant supper with out any cost but three hearty cheers, which went up, I assure you, from grateful hearts. Many a swarthy son of Africa, leaning on the handle of his hoe, waved his sinewy arms to heaven, as if invoicing God’s blessing upon the labors of those who are determined to stop the march of those who would desecrate our hallowed soil, and take from the humble negro the dearest right he possesses—that of having a kind and able protector in the person of his master.