Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-08-02


that Gov. Wise has abandoned in these (
stronghOlds of Nature.
The last position he abandoned, two
miles below Charleston, was, ia manner,
impregnable, or so much so that three
thousand troops could have held the posi-
ton against any ten thousand men that
could have been brought against it. Our
troops expressed regret and disappoint-
nent at their fleeing before them. But
they should have thanked the dsstiuies
that caused their fight, and look for a
more equal command of position than
could have been obtained at that point.
The record would have been sadly against
shcm.
Charleston is very pretty town, quite
handsomely situated, on the north side of
the river. 1t contains population of three
thousand inhabitants, who seem TO live IN
easy circumstances, and the employment of
the luxuries of life The Uuion sentiment
Of this valley (siDce the expulsion of Wise
and his rebel hordes) seems unbounded
yet few of the avowed Unionists have
very strange way of expressing their
Unionism. As an illustration, DR.. Thomp-
son, very wealthy aud influential man,
living opposite the mouth of the Pocn.alco
creek, where the Federal forces were en-
camped, expressed himself strong Union
mnn-had eyer been opposed to Secession
yet he stated to Our officers that be
would suffer his right arm to be paralyzed
ere he would take up arms ngaiust the
State OF Virginia. The lens of his Union
glasses cannot penetnAte beyond the boun-
DIARIES of that State. / was shown bill
presented to the Quarter Master by this
DR.. Thompson, amounting to $4,000, his
assessed damage suffered in the depreaa-
ftnUs nff ha Eafa It-I,fla az"
talco creek. Now cannot see wherein he
had suffered to any such amount. Four
hundred dollars would have been very
high estimate-none but myself placed it
above two hundred dollars. Another bill,
presented at the same time, was from Mrs.
DR.. Barbee, claiming the sum of two
thousand dollars as the damage sustained
by her, with the modest remark that it
would not cover one-fourth the amount of
the losses.
Now let me inform you that DR.. Barbee,
the husband of this lady aud the owner OF
this estate, is the commander of u comma
ny of rebels now with Wise. and that him
self and his company were Engaged in the
battle of Scarey Greek. and were welcom-
/ ing our troops with leaden bullets to inh2s-
pitable graves. His lady showed some of
the Federal officers letter written by the
Doctar 10 her the day after the battle, an
nouucing his own safety, with u loss of
one hundred on their side killed and
wounded. Our dear old Uncle Samuel
has heretofore been so kind and lenient to
all his erriug children, that it would be n
great pity for the estate of conditional
Unionist, or a Confederate commander, to
be allowed to suffer in this unholy war. In
conversation with other Unionists, who
| freely admit that not fourth of the in
habitants of the valley are secessionists;
they acknowledge to being Overawed by
this small minority, and have allowed
themselves to be robbed of nil their means
of defence, and of bsing forced into the
ranks of the secessionists against their
/ will. Any inform ltion with regard TO the
| enemy is given by them with the greatest
caution, as if in fear of II coming rerribu-
/ ton.
The Federal column, after passing
Charleston, moved rapidly on the road in
pursuit of the fugitives. Numbers of de-
seriers were known to have left the ranks
OF Wise, after passing beyond Charleston.
All along tue road for the distance of ten
miles, numbers of muskets, knapsacks,
blankets, swords and other announcements
were found lying. When Wise was pass
! ing through the town of Maiden, it was
| observed that the Richmond Blues were
\ formed, one portion in front of the column
and tue other portion in the rear, driving
the others through like n flock of sheep for
the slaughter. Geo. Cox moved to dis
lance of ten miles above Charleston, and
there encamped for the night. Beyond this
| point they will not advance with the steam
boats.
On the morn of the 9th everything was
transferred from the steamboats, to the
wagons, and tho colEmn moved on as rap
Idly as possible for Gauley Bridge, distant
twenty miles. Gen. Cox was pushing for
the bridge as rapidly as possible, to not al
low Wise time to entrench himself there,
which is known to be a very strong posi-.
tion. II is expected that Wise will there
destroy the bridge, which is noble struc-
ture. But | am satisfied Wise will never
make stand in the Kanawha Valley
Such positions as he has abandoned does
not speak in favor of his generalship. You
can look upon the war in this valley as at
an epd.
Gen, Cox's term of service, learn, ex-
pires on the Both inst. His loss will be
felt here. He is much loved and respect
ed By all his officers aud the whole COM
maud. In him are possessed the elements
| to make = great military commander. He
is cool and deliberate in his actions, care
full and cautious in his movements, noble
and generous in department, and possess
ing undaunted courage, requiring but ex-
pericnce TO make his name famous in mill
tary annals.
This Kanawha Valley is almost para
disc. The soil is rich, and produces most
bountitully. 1 never saw shocks of wheat
stand as thick, on other soil, as can be
seen here. 1t abounds in inexhaustible
minerals. Coal. iron and salt are extern
siyely worked in many places. Good turn
pike roads lead through the country, with
expensive and ornamental bridges span
ming the rivers aud creeks along their lines.
Yet, with all these blessings. Gov. Wise,
with his demons and dissenters, have
sought to lay this favored country desolate
He has endaayored to destroy the nari-