fact I determined to attack them, which I did yesterday about sunrise. They were posted about three miles my camp in a commanding position, but our men made the attack with spiritk and soon carried it. The enemy was completely routed, and the Seventh Ohio Regiment (three year recruits) was scattered all over the country. The enemy's killed and wounded number upward of thirty men. Amongst the killed is a captain. The prisoners number over sixty, amongst them a captain and some lieutenants. We captured some of their wagons and hospital supplies. The result of this fight will enableme to hold this quarter of the country, I think, certainly, and to cut off effectualy all communication between General Cox and the forces toward the north. Colonel Tompkins' and Colonel McCausland's regiments have come up, but both combined do not reach to 800 men. My force, therefore, is far from being very strong. It is very important, I think, to make the exchange of troopsin the manner suggested in my last. I would produce a unity and promptness of action which would promote greatly the public interest, in my judgment.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN B. FLOYD,

Brigadier-General, Commanding Army of the Kanawha.

[5.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 136.
Richmond, August 28, 1861.

* * * * * *

XVII. Captain Calhoun's company of South Carolina artillery, and those of Captains Carter, Courtney, Holman, Virginia artillery, will proceed to Mansassas Junction, Va., as soon as practicable and report for duty to General J. E. Johnston, commanding.

* * * * * *

By command of the Secretary of War:

John WITHERS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[5.]

SPECIAL ORDERS,
ADJT. AND INSP. GENERAL'S OFFICE, Numbers 263.
Richmond, Va., August 28, 1861.

* * * * * *

III. Captain M. Vaiden's company, the New Kent Cavalry, and Captain Thornton's company, the Prince Edward Cavalry, Virginia Volunteers, will proceed by easy marches to Yorktown and join the regiment of cavalry under Colonel Johnston, now serving with the Army of the Peninsula.

* * * * * *

By order:

GEO. DEAS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[4.]

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE KANAWHA,
Camp Gauley, August 28, 1861.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,

President of the Confederate States of America:

DEAR SIR: We have advanced across the Gauley, now near Summersville, and hold a position from which I think no force of the enemy

17 R R-VOL LI, PT II