Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-10-17
ExPED1T1ONINTo oALHUN CO.

ExPED1T1oN1NTo OALHUN co.
A vinale"tiOn ..ssr.9 Of Virginia volun=
CAMp, Flat WooDs, BRAxToS 90. VA.
September 30, 1861,
Editors Intelligeneer: .,5
On the 3oth day of last August, Compa-
nies B, E, and K, Capt Shuttleworth,
Phillips aud Hall, of the Sd Va. Regiment,
and two companies of the 9th Ohio Regi-
ment, Lieut. Col. Thompson of the Sd Va.
Regiment, commanding, left Ellenbour on
the N. w. Va. Z. R., with orders to make
forced march forthe relief of some Union
troops surrounded by large force OF reb-
els at or near Spencer in Roane county
This detachment underwent hardships aud
braved dangers which deserve to be chron-
icled. among the other exploits of the WAT.
Nevertheless, would not at this late day,
undertake the task, ouly that certain Off
GERS OF the Ohio companies have publish
ed accounts arrogating to themselves
whatever..honor may have been attached to
the expedition, and lin private conversa-
tion at leHst) giving utterance to senti-'
ments derogatory to the7brnyery and Elf
cheney of the Virginia troops. ! shall say
nothing about this very ungenerous con-
duct, bnt only give short truthful history
of the expedition, and leave your readers
tOjudge the rest.
Upon our arrival ut Brooksville, (the
former county seat of Calhoun) situated on
the Little Kanawha river, We learned that
the rebels had been routed from Spencer
by Major SIemmer's command, aud that
they had divided into guerrilla parties,
and fallen back into Calhoun county to
harrass our march. We knew nothing dcfi-
mite as to their number or position, SO that
q halt was ordered.to enable us to'gct in
formation. The men had slept but little
for two days and nights, and being very
much fatigued from hard marching, and
having NO tents with as, spread their
blankets out along the river bank in the
shade, and were soon sound asleep. In
about an hour VIC were reused by the keen,
quick reports of innumerable rifles on the
hill sides around us; not an enemy could
be seen. at short intervals the blue smoke
could be seen to ascend from behind
some distant rock or tree-an instant more
and the ball would cut branches of leaves
from the bushes along the river bank
where our men were standing, or drop
harmlessly in our midst. Wewere in total
ignorance as to the. number of the enemy,
but the command to advanre was given,
aud our meniwere soon clamberingtup the
steep hill-sides with yells which resound-
ed through the forest like Indian war
whoops. Long before sundoWn we had
driven the enemy back, and our scouts and
pickets had full possession of every hill in
the neigbborhood. Five of the rebels
were killed and several wodnied. We
captured some good rifles, and also two
horses which we found hitched in the
woods. Strange to say, not one Of our men
tras hurt. zL
The next skirmish took place the follow
ing Tuesday night. in the Big Bend of ;he
Knnawha, about three miles from Brooks
vile, where party Of Our detachment,
mostly from Virginia companies, complete
" routed large force of rebels who had
taken position in three log houses and
among oYerhanging rocks on both sides OF
the road, which at that point winds its
way along deep, marrow, rocky rayiue.-
On our right high bluf which rose di-
rectly from the roadside, aud on our left a
descent of 20 or 30feet rendered it impos-
sible to make q flank movement, Never
theless our men, after exchanging volley
or two with the enemy, rushed boldly for
ward aud drove them back in the widest
confusion They took refuge among the
rocks and trees, and, aided by the dark
ness of the night, succeeded in making
their escape. Five of them were found
dead, but the number Of wounded could
not be ascertained, as many were carried
away. a number of rifles were also cap
tnred. Gilroy g. Roam, a member of Co.
B, Sd Va, Reg't, was badly wounded in the
leg. We had no Others hurt.
After the fight the two Ohio companies
deserted us and returned to Petersburg
We were thus left with but three eompa-
nies, numbering ouly about 200 men, in q
country overrun with armed brigands and
desperadoes. We had to detach one COM
pany to guard our provision train to and
from the railroad, but out of the remaining
two scouting parties were sent forth day
after day aud night after night to hunt up
the hidden retreats of the enemy, which
ther did with semArkable success. But il
is unnecessary to give the particulars Of
each.
During our stay in Calhoun county,
about thirty rebels we're killed and num-
Der wounded. Seventy-oue prisoners were
taken, who were released upon taking the
oath, on account of their extreme ignor-
ance. Ont of the seventy-oue, only thirty
could subscribe their names to the oath.
doubt if they can read; know many of
them cannot, Would il NOT be 9good idea
to add to the oath "tO support the Consti-
tuition of the United States as the supreme
law of the land" &C., a clause requiring
those to whom the oath is administered to
read or hear read that Constitution2
Our loss in this expedition was Lieuten-
ant McClaskey, of Richie county, killed,
and four priYatcs Wounded-all belonging
TO the Virginia companies. Not single
Ohioan was hurt, and yet they claim to
have done all the 6ghting.
Lieut. MeClaskey was a good officer, and
a. bold, fearless man. On the 9th inst, in
skirmish with large party of guerril-
las, a rifle ball passed through his body,
indicting a fatal wound. After being
wounded, he loaded aud fred mus