OCTOBER 3, 1861. General Reynolds, commander of the Federal forces on Cheat Mountain Summit, who had so successfully resisted the attempt of the enemy to flank his position on the 12th of September, having learned that General Jackson had a fortified camp on the Green Brier river, at a point where the Staunton turnpike ascends the Alleghany mountains, about twelve miles distant, determined on a reconnoissance in force, and if possible a surprise of the enemy’s encampment. On the night of October 2, at twelve o’clock, he started from his encampment, with the Twenty-fourth, Twenty-fifth and Thirty-second Ohio, and the Seventh, Ninth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Seventeenth Indiana regiments, with Howe’s, Loomis’ and Daum’s batteries, thirteen pieces, and a small force of cavalry, in all about five thousand men. About daylight they came in contact with the enemy’s outposts, at the first Green Brier bridge, which resulted in their being driven within the entrenchments with considerable loss by the Twenty-fourth Ohio and Seventh Indiana. The rebel camp was located on a steep elevation, known as Buffalo Hill, their entrenchments rising one above another along its terraced sides. Howe’s and Loomis’ batteries were soon put in position, and were effective in silencing a number of the enemy’s pieces, which had opened on the advancing Federal columns. The infantry were impatient for the order to advance to the assault, while for thirty-five minutes every gun of the assaulting batteries were actively engaged. One after another of the rebel pieces were dismounted, until only one remained, which replied with spirit, while the lower entrenchments were almost wholly evacuated by their defenders. Rockets were thrown up from the enemy’s camp at this time, which the General supposed was a signal for reinforcements from another encampment known to exist a few miles distant. It was not long before the surmise was verified. Down the mountains in the rear of the camp came a column of men, estimated at two thousand, bringing with them several pieces of artillery of a superior character. They were received with loud cheers by their hitherto faltering comrades. The fresh pieces were soon mounted on the upper works, and took part in the engagement. [Illustration: SIEGE OF LEXINGTON, MO., SEPT. 12–20, 1861. ]