The battle of Alleghany Mountain.
A letter has been received from Mr. Bassel, of Upshur, by a friend in this city, which gives some father details of the battle on the Alleghany. The enemy was repulsed, and retreated precipitately. The 31st Virginia Regiment, composed of men from the Northwestern counties, temporarily under the command of Major Boykin, suffered more than any of our soldiers. Lieutenant Reger, of the Upshur Grays, was mortally wounded, and Lieutenant Thompson, of Marion county, son of Judge Thompson, was killed. The county has sustained a great loss in the death of these two gallant young soldiers. In the Harrison company, out of some forty-nine men on duty, some twenty-two were either killed or wounded.Another letter, addressed to Judge Camden, says that the 31st regiment lost in killed and, wounded, 42; Hansborough's Battalion, 28, Reger's Battalion, 15; the 12th Georgia Regiment, 25. Of the enemy, 32 were buried by our forces. How many were killed and wounded is not known.
Col. Hansborough was wounded in the thigh, and Captain Deshier also, but not dangerously. Col. Johnson says the Northwestern boys ‘"fought like devils. "’
As we anticipated, the Federals claim a victory, and publish in their newspapers a most palpable tissue of falsehoods in regard to the fight.
Additional details.
The following letter, from a reliable correspondent of the Dispatch, was received at a late hour last night:
[correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch]
Glorious victory.
Camp Alleghany,
About 12 o'clock Thursday night, our scouts brought the intelligence that the enemy were crossing the Green brier, at Camp Bartow, in full force.
We were called to arms, and every preparation made to receive our visitors.
About daybreak the attack commenced upon all parts of the encampment.
A large body of the enemy field to the left of the road, and endeavored to take up a position upon a commanding height in the rear of our tents.
They were promptly met by the 31st Virginia Regiment under Major Boykin, (formerly commanded by Col. Wm L. Jackson.) Hansborough and Reger's battalions, and the 12th Georgia Regiment. --After a band-to-hand contest the enemy was driven from the hills.
Three times were they forced to give way, and three times did they rally only to meet with greater slaughter from the determined courage of our troops.--Our men charged with the bayonet and drove the enemy before them down the hill, and by a well-directed volley scattered them, like frightened sheep, through the woods.
In this action, at this point, Col. Hansbrough was wounded, Capt Monahan, of the Braxton company, was killed, and Capt. Deshler, aid to Col Johnson, was wounded.
Several other officers were wounded.
Our loss at this point was severe, owing to the close encounter of the combatants. In the meantime a consider this force flanked to the right of our encampment, and made a furious assault upon the entrenchments. Hiding behind logs, they kept up a sharp fire for some hours, but were repulsed with considerable loss. It was here that Capt. Anderson, of the artillery, was killed. He was a brave man and an excellent officer. Lieut. Reger, of the Upshur Grays, was also killed. He bad his hand upon the flag-staff of the Confederacy, and fell beneath the shadow of his folds. He was in the 28th year of his age, a native of Northwestern Virginia, and a man of great energy and courage. He was an attend Southerner, and died in defence of his country's rights.
The loyal sons of the Northwest fought like tigers against an enemy who had possession of their homes and families. They dashed upon the foe and discharged their muskets into their faces. A traitor regiment was in the engagement, commanded by Colonel David Henes, of Clarksburg. Many of his men were killed and their bodies recognized by their former friends.
The enemy's loss was very great. Their dead now lie thickly over the battle-field; besides, many wagon loads were carried off. I cannot tell at this time the number; but it was large.
Col. Johnson, the commander of the post, was in the thickest of the fight. On foot, with a musket in his hand, he seemed ubiquitous. His clothes were shot through in several places; yet he escaped without a wound. The men all have great confidence in him. The 12th Georgia Regiment also distinguished itself.
T. S.
[by Telegraph]
Col. Johnson acted most gallantly, and appeared on the field in the dress of a Wagener, with a musket in one hand and a club in the other.
