Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-11-08
FROM WESTERN VIRGINIA.
Correspondence of tho Cincinnati Gazette. ]

CAMP ELKwATER, Oct. 81. 1861
Major Slemmer, of Fort Pickens nolo-
ricry, has been here during the week, IN
specting tue troops belonging to Gen. Rey-
nold's division. Such IL cleaning AMI
brushing up us was caused by his advent,
has probably never been seen in these parts
before. Every piece of clothing was w"sL.
ed as nicely as any laundress could do it;
it WAS really pleasure to look ut the con-
tents of the soldiers kuapsNcks. EviIemt-
ly they were we'll pleased themselves, and
exhibited said contents,with as much pri'le
as ever 81 school girl took in showing the
treasures of her portfolio. If ever
heartily sympathiIed with human pride, it
was during this inspection. rejoiced to
think that our soldiers were proud Of their
appearance aud equipments, and / consid-
cred it happy omen of their success upon
the 6eld; because the soldier who is proud
of his quarters. of his accoutrements. and
of his arms, will be still prouder of his
name and reputation in the hour of con.
nici, and of the honor and glory which
wait upon the victor.
1t was really an inspiring sight to wit
ness the unquestioning confidence of he
troops, as they performed their evolutiOn9
in the presence of the Inspector, and hand
ed him their brightly polished arms for ex-
animation They had good reason to feel
confident, for in the face of discourage
ment, such us no other position OF our ar
my has encountered, in spite Of the suffer
ing which shey have endured from the Sc
verities of the weather, and the INSULT
cheney of their clothing: and notwthstan-
ding the incessant labor they have under
gone in fortifying their position against the
enemy, and rcpulsing his attacks when he
did come, the troops in this portion of the
country are to day, according to the testi-
mony of Major Slemmer, amongst the best
drilled of any in the seevice.
I witnessed tue inspection of the Sd and
9Th Ohio and of the I'd Virginia. The
camps were as free from dirt and rubbish
as IL gentIeman's pRrlOr. The men would
have adorned gentleman's parlor any
where. Their dress seemed to be free
from soil and stain, us though they had
not Iabored five long months in the wilder
ness. Their bearing was manly and noble,
as the consciousness of the great cause in
which they are engaged would naturally
make them; and certainly no man cOn'd
have seeu them without conceiVing high
opinion of our citizen soldiery.
| On Monday last sergeant belonging to
the 18th Indiana was shot by repnted se-
cessionists in Webster county, and almost
lI0neuAhlGIy L SOHlu tIob iSth'li
name, AS the 18th Indiana is not here at
the present time. Col. Sullivan and his
men have leave of absence just now. They
have taken FIVE days rations with them, so
as not to be too great burden to
the friends they may chance to fall in
with. shall endeavOr to give you de-
! tailed account of their trip
Last night we had a grand spectacle
here, The leaves were fired on the hill
near the camp, and presently IA dozen lines
of flame were seen running up the nights,
illuminating them from base to summit,
ard making such display that even the
most unpoetical could not help exclalming
chow beautiful, how grand /" A dense
smoke envelopes the hills this morning,
and j have no doubt that the fire will con
tinue to wind its way amongst them for
many days to come. Nothing but food
of rain will prevent it from sweeping clear
over the Cheat and Rich Mountain ranges,
consuming everything combustible as it
goes. 'l's'-
Thing important will soon take place in this
quarter. General Kelley, by his success at
Romney, seems nnqnestionably to threaten
the rear of the enemy at Greenbrier. The
continued success of fine, sunshiny days is