Unfortunately the dense fog which prevailed, prevented Colonel Fitch doing as great execution in the rebel works as he desired, but his shots from the larboard and forward guns were effective, and a quick scattering took place. The Moose opened at seven o’clock, and as the rebels were driven she kept steadily moving up the stream, throwing shell and shrapnel over the heads of the Union soldiers into the ranks of the enemy. It was soon plainly perceived that Morgan’s men were being pressed hard in all directions, and were evidently in dread of total discomfiture. An attempt to cross into Virginia was made by a simultaneous rush toward the river, the rebels throwing away arms and even clothing in their fear and consternation at finding themselves hemmed in by the Union forces. The point chosen to effect the crossing was one mile and a half above the head of Buffington Island, and the movement would undoubtedly have been attended with considerable success, but for the presence and performance of the gunboats. The crossing was covered by a 20-pounder Parrott and a 12-pounder howitzer, dragged into position by the rebels in their hasty retreat, but before the guns could be loaded and sighted, the bow guns of the Moose opened on the rebel guns and drove the gunners away, after which the pieces were captured. Some twenty or thirty men only succeeded in crossing into Virginia at this point. Several were killed in the water, and many returned to the shore. While this was transpiring on the river, the roar of battle was still raging on the shore and back in the country. Basil Duke, under whose generalship the fight was conducted, was evidently getting the worst of it, and his wearied band of horse-thieves, raiders, and nondescripts, began to bethink them only of escape. Many threw down their arms, were taken prisoners, and sent to the rear. Others sought the shelter of trees, or ran wildly from one point to another, and thus exposed themselves far more to the deadly chances of the field than if they had displayed courage, and stood up to the fight. A running fight next ensued, as the main force of the enemy retreated up stream toward a point on the Ohio shore opposite Belleville, Va. The retreat was made as rapidly as possible, but considerable confusion was apparent. The gunboat kept almost ahead of the retreating column, and when practicable, threw shell over the river bank toward it. The rebels next attempted to cross at Belleville; but the Moose, which had reached that point, fired upon the first party which tried to land. They then pushed further along the shore, and made an effort to cross at Hawkinsport, but were again foiled in their attempt by the gunboat. While the Moose was winning her laurels, the other boats of the fleet were not failing to enact their regularly assigned part of the programme, which was to guard the fords below the island, and prevent any roaming squads of the rebels crossing to the much-wished-for Virginia shore.