New-York daily tribune., 1861-06-22
FROM CUMBERLAND.
Correspondence Of Tho N. Y. Tribune

and nights, quadered In dHcOmmod)ns cais although
rendered pleasant by welcome receptions from patriotic
hearts and splendid ovaions by patriotic bauds during
Its transit through Indiana, Ohio and Virginia. yet bas
accomplished one of the extraordinary feats Of
onr campaign, and was deprived Of a brilliant victory
only because notice was given of our approach by
friends Of rebels.
Although we were almost worn ont with our journey,
still the order TO march Romney, Va. to attack the
rebel troops (which report said We're 900 strong) WAS
received with heartfelt pleasure by all of ns anXious
10 do what possible for country, and especially
10 tic stain east upon Indiana roops'at Baena
Vista by winninga victory long 10 be remembered, and
oc that woud be pacedhg credit as courageous
soldiers and liberty glowing citizens of the American
Republic.
On Tuesday, Col. Wallace learned that several
hundred Rebels were encamped ut RoInney, and i'm
mediately detailed eight conpanies-about 100 men
TO advance upon them, with the intention of surpse
We left Cumberland TT p. IN, and arrived at New.
Creek Bridge, per the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at
III p. m. distance of % miles, Here We left the
carr, and with two faithful guides started way
overthe mountains. You can well imagine what were
the feelings of boys, who accustomed TO look
upon thousands OF acres of wheat and corn, level
that one could sight over the entire field while going
up hills and mountains never known except in their
imaginatons. Deploying soouts and pickets, ahead
we marched steadily yet quickly onward.
The march was most exciting as we passed through
| the narrow deiles and gaps where ten or a dozen
Rebels could have nown US down, but partook rome
of the interest which was occasoned IA day light ap-
peared Our picket guards fred several times in the
| morning, and captured several pIisoners-somc Of
whom allowed to go account Of age, and others
being Union men at heart, but overawed by the Rebel
troops.
Major Vandiver who was sneaking round orr camp
the morning we arrived at Cumberland, deserted
approaching several miles from town, and, mount,
his horse spuued on, and entered 10y by path the
road leading 20 Romney considerable distance ahead
of the main body of the troops but brought up by
our faithful scouts, who, threatening him with doe
from their muskets caused him gently 10 subsidc lie
is in camp closely guarded and il JEFF Davis deserves
hanging he certainly does. lie the terror Of that
section and had impressed many into the service. TIE
people upon learning that had him, expressed great
satisfaction and joy that we had captured the Eost
TO be feared in those parts, and hoped would keep
him." Your Correspondent knows not whst will be
done with him. but rest assured that our Colonel viii
not keep him Fftl-avenue style, and then allow Liu
to 20 back to old quarters with information Of our
tire strength 10 make havoc by having gained
such desirable information This is the style that snch
scatnps have been treated, learn by Others while
| they ought 70 have been honored with little hemp
else quarters which petty thief has TO enjoy. This
yandiver captured about four miles from Romney
when our boys, elated with the sight of live seces.
sonist captured by them forgot their sore feet and
tired limbs, and marched on at quick pace eager for
the fight.
Romney, the county sea, OF Hampshire County, is
situated upon the rise Of ground surrounded by high
mountains thicky wooded, while the only entrance to
the village ia by long, covered bridge over large
stream. Tins protected by nature, had the rebels
been been brave possessed Of any courage or skill
at all we could have passed that bridge and on
tered the town without a terrible fight aud heavy
loss OF men. We cannot deprecate the courage Of true
Vrgnians fighting under our hag-for We have had
test of their skill and bravery already in our plesant
war-but they do run now at pace, SURPRISING even
Doesticks rate Of Zouave speed, fighting under the
flag Of the G. s. But | will return to the skirmirh
and make observations afterward. Shots wele ex.
changed by pckeis about mile from town, after
which were exposed along the rest Of the march
to a struggling fire from the mountains side. None
Of our were touched, however, while
two or three Of the rebel scouts, bold
enough TO show their heads, picked of with our
rusty Mimic rifles Az we neared the bridge our
Colonel (who cautious he is brave halted the
| line, and detailed the men across by squads at FIRST
and then by companies Scarcely had the first com.
pany Iassed the other end facing the village when
voey fired upon them from house some one
hundred yards distant. Some sixty shots were fired
which were answered by men. The Orderly Ser.
geant of tie company was hit by bullet upon the
buckle of his suspender, which caused Il to glance
which saved him. No others were touched We at
tempted to flank the house and cut off the retreat Of
the inmates but their legs the only trusty weapon Of
defense they these tmes thwarted our design and
when entered the house not person was found in
it. Wepressed on and "depoying skrmishers" at the
outskirts, surrounded the town and gradually closed in
upon it. We found the place perfectly deserted houses
stores and hotels oosed up, the inmates having
escaped to the mountains, excepting the nggers. The
Rebels, numbering some said, five hundred others
thousand, put for the mountains, taking their two
cannon and what equpages they able to collect,
in the hours notice they had of our approach The
hills upon the southwark of the town were completely
covered by men and women while in the distance were
seen tie retreang forms Of the Rebel troops. In one
little Jog hut in the village discovered Thirty
forty women huddled together, who manifested the
greatest epidaion and alarm upon being discovered.
They had heard that we were numbering, pillagiug,
and leentios horde OF black Aholtionsts moi sparing
even the women and children. Such are the lies in
vented by the Rebels TO excite Tie Loyal people against
the Government. which has resulted in causing the
masses 10 live in constant state Of terror. The result
Of our movement against Romney, 10 sum il up, ia rs
follows: We routed five hundred Rebels