The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-12-20
Letter from Virginia.
Carr Ksrs, RoMsrY, Virginia, I
December Z, 1861.

CAHp KEYS, RoMSrY, Virginie,
December 7, 166i.3
Ma. EoIroR dear sir, - l will not, for
want OF space, give you the various little
incidents which daily occur within our line
Of picket, for to do this might Gil qure
Of psper; but with the little spare time that
have before the tattoo beats, will give
you few ofthe passing events.
Our pickets nearly every day have skir-
mishes with the prowling parties Of rebels,
which we call "bush. whackers." They
skulk around in daytime to see where our
pickets are posted, and at night, like those
whose deeds are evil, they ere on our pick
cts. Their mode Of telling where Others Of
them are. is by jingling little bells. which
are heard every.night around the posts.
A few nights ago, one Of our outposts was
moved little in advance. The bushwhack-
ers, unaware Of this, about dusk accidental
ly run upon our boys; but, as soon as they
discovered where they were, they broke and
run in all directions. Soon their bells were
heard calling together the affrighted rebels.
Deserters from the rebels come in almost
daily; they are Of the old militia, without
uniform. The majority Of them are Union
men, and their information of the rebel
forces can be relied upon.
Last Sunday party Of about forty rebels
attacked our wagon train, which had gone
up the valley about eight miles for the pur-
pose OF getting hay. While they were load =.
ing, the party which lay in ambush close by,
fred upon them, wounding the man upon
the stack in the leg, and the one upon the
load in the back; the latter has since died.
They then made o charge upon the teams
and guards, taking three OF the guards pris-
oners and capturing eight horses. Inform
alton was brought to camp as soon as possi-
Bile, and the Rnggold cavalry were soon out
and dispersed the rebels, retaking the horses,
but they fed to the hills with their prison.
ers.
Two Lieutenants - one Of the eighth and
the other OF the ffth Ohio - and a cavalry.
man, were taken prisoners by the rebels, a
few days ago. 1t seems that the Lieuten-
ants went to house outside the pickets and
called for breakfast-s practice which is too
much followed by the officers - but while
they were enjoying themselves with their
repast, a dozen rebels pouDced upon them
and had them safe enough. About ten
o'clock two Ringgolds rode down to the
house to see what kept them. They dis
mounted and went in, but at this moment
the scamps, who were undoubtedly waiting
for this, jumped in and caught ore Of them
but the other made his escape. They also
got the cavalr! mems hurees. A deserter
says he seen them on their way to Winches.
ter, we'll guarded. A very heavy pickle,
force is thrown out in the direction of Win.
chester. every day. This makes the guard
duty very heavy. Every well man is CON-
PEELED TO 90 on picket duty two days in
each week, besides the regimental guard
duty.
The boys are we'll pleased with our new
Colonel he is q well drilled man, and takes
delight in drilling his battalion. The first
command he ever gave us was "forward
march," the morning we left Fort Pendle.
ton for Romney.
Howe's entire battery arrived here yester
day. We have now nineteen pieces OF ar.
tillery at this post, together with 5000 in
fantry and 200 cavalry. An attack is eithe,
anticipated here, or a movement Is soon ,c
be made upon Winchester. You may pre-
pare to hear of the fail OF this place befor.
long.
The Telegraph wire is now finished to thi:
place, connecting with the Baltimore and
Ohio, at Green Spring. sixteen miles dis
tant, and terminating a, Gen. Kelly's head
quarters.
! forgot to mention that the fourth is call
ed the "crack" regiment from Ohio. Tn
fifth ohio boys, from Cincinnati. don't lik
to hear this, so they call US the. "bandbo
regiment"
+ The town is still under strict martial law
Captain Brown, of Company K, is Provo.
Marshal. Every night the principal street
are patrolled by the Police guards. Sever;
spies have been caught on the streets, br
all plead innocent. Undoubtedly some ha,
, escaped with news by taking the oath
. allegiance.
The weather continues getting colder
Winter approaches. This makes it seve
on The pickets. Snow is in sight at all tim,
. upon the mountains.
, 1t is reported that Gen. Rosecrans, vii
another brigade, will arrive ere next weeI
Then We are to try the force at Wincheste
: Yours respectfully.
J. w. p. WILLIAMS,