Daily Intelligencer

The Battle of Cloyd Mountain and the Destruction of New River Bridge.

Extract from a Letter in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Monday—the 9th, we broke up camp at daylight, and proceeded on the road to Dublin Depot. A short distance from camp heavy skirmishing began between our advance and the rebels. We immediately began the ascent of Cloyd Mountain, which we crossed under a heavy artillery fire from the rebel batteries posted in the woods below. The 2d brigade was in the advance, the 3d next, and the 1st in the rear. As soon as possible our artillery was brought over the mountain, and our lines quickly formed. Gen. Crook was in front, personally directing every move.

The rebels were posted on a slight ridge, mostly in the woods, and in some places protected by slight breastworks. Their artillery, consisting of eight guns, was posted near the center of their lines. The 2d brigade of our force was sent off on the left to turn the rebel flank; the 1st brigade was placed in the centre, and the 3d brigade on the right. As soon as the engagement began on the left, our brigade (the 1st,) was moved forward into the side of the mountain and across a large open field in the face of the rebels, who poured a heavy fire into us as we advanced. Our left wing was also hotly engaged, and for an hour there was a continual roar of musketry along the whole line. The rebels made a charge upon our guns, but were repulsed with heavy loss. Col. Hayes, commanding the 1st brigade, led a charge upon the rebel guns, capturing two brass pieces, which had annoyed us considerably during the earlier part of the action.

The enemy finally gave way, obstinately fighting as they fell back towards Dublin. Two miles from the latter place the rebels received reinforcements, and attempted to make another stand, but were soon driven from their position, when their entire force retreated towards the railroad bridge over New River. Our force was too much fatigued to pursue them far, and we halted for the night at Dublin Depot, on the Virginia and East Tennessee Railroad. We were very much elated by our victory, but it was won at a heavy cost, and that night we missed many familiar faces from our ranks, faces of old comrades, tried on many a hard-fought field, and found true to their country and manhood.

Our total loss in the battle was about six hundred. I cannot learn the exact number. The 12th and 23d Ohio Regiments, and the 9th West Virginia Volunteers, experienced the heaviest loss. It is needless to speak of any one regiment as doing more than another for all did nobly. The rebels had the advantage in every respect, but were defeated on a ground of their own choosing, and we justly feel proud of the day's work. It is called the "Battle of Cloyd Mountain."

We have no means of learning the rebel loss, but it was heavy, as the prisoners we captured admitted. Nearly all of their wounded were got off the field as they retreated.

The scene of action was in a fine farming country, extending from the base of the mountain to the Depot, a distance of seven or eight miles.

Early the next morning, our forces moved out to attack the rebels again, who were supposed to be near the New River bridge. It was a great object for them to hold this bridge, for its destruction would cut off railroad communication with the Southwest, and consequently prevent supplies from being sent to Lee's army from the chief source.

We advanced above seven miles when the rebels opened fire with artillery. Our forces were got into position—sheltered from the artillery fire as much as possible—and our batteries ran up to the front. A spirited shelling was kept up on both sides for a short time, when at length one regiment of infantry charged upon the rebel works. They retreated in haste across the river, and in a few minutes the bridge was in flames, and was in a short time entirely consumed.

As the last timber fell into the river and floated off, there arose a shout of exultation such as I never heard before.