Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-12
0ur Army Correspondence = Letter
from western Virginia.


EDlroR SEMINAL: "Grim-yisaged war" has
almost "smoothed his wrinkled 'front.' in the
Department of Western Virginia; and do not
know that would dare. in justice to myself and
in compassion for your readers. to address you at
this time and from this place, but that an event
yesterday took place which will deeply interest
some il not all of your towns people. | had the
pleasure of seeing. conversing and knowing Capt.
j. X. Brackens company of cavalry from lndi-
ana. passing through Clarksburg on their way to
Parkersburg, Virginia They came Immediately
from Huttonsvile. and only left the hard and
active service in which they were engaged to re-
cruit both men and horses, which have been com
ple,ely worn down by the fatigues undergone in
the mountains of Western Virginia. THIS Jude
pendent company has probably seen la the past
six months more active service-more of the
stern realities Of war, than all other companies
and regiments in the Department. Arriving in
Western Virginia IN July, shortly after the battle
of Rich Mountain, they have been steadily and
actively engaged in the toughest and severest
vice of the warm the Cheat Mountain division.
For three months after their coming-July, Au-
gust and September-they were the only company
of cavalry in their division. and they Zone com
a
regiment of cavalry, which about the pro
portion to the Infantry then in service in the De
partment They did it we'll and faithfully
They explored every road, nook and corner
found Out and knew every by-path. and kept
open constant communication between the three
camps OF the district-Cheat Mountain, the Pass
and EIkwater Their services as cavalry are in
calculable. In s&irmshiug, accommodating, dis
patching, in all Ihds of quick work, they could
az.
place IS credtaby have been filled by any COM
VaDy within my knowledge Attached to no
regiment entirely independent. without that
jealousy and I'LL feeling which sometimes arises in
volunteer fUrces-no desire no emulation but
that each do his part and do il wcii thev were
always found really, and squads of the company
have been IA every skrmish the lines The
company was at the repulse OF Lee ia September
at the battle Oh Greenbriar on the 81 OF October
at the battle Of Aleghaney in December. and at
the taking OF Huutersylle on the 81 of January
In all they have lost twenty men and fifty
LOSES.
feel proud as an Indianian born to recount i'm
part tie deeds of noble daring" done by these
brave men-to contemplate their present broke
down condition ana realize that they have been
brought 10 / by real service, and that tor our
common cause-Our country. And this morning
when babe them a God speed AT their starting
much ia the campaign in the vicinity of Cheat
Mountain during the time they would he engaged
in recruiting Capt Bracken looks every inch
a solder" and while his silyery hair and white
short muStache are indicative that the hardest Of
life and services have been seen. his bright, keen
eye indicates still more emphatIcally that he Is
yet and ever ready 10 meet his enemies and give
tine rebels their just due and punishment. Hugh
Deizell, First Lieutenant, seems none the worse
for war and holds his own remarkably well He
has "A flowing beard about TO his middle. and is
lively as ever he could be in the nice, quiet city
of indianapolis. la fact the men, rs n class are
a hardy set of devils and look IA thou IN they
could stand anything and that without recruiting
Last night before their departure they had dance
in the United States Hotel, kindly furnished by
the proprietor, Commodore Hamlin. who was
formerly a resident of Indianapolis
Captain Bracken visits Indianapolis shortly on
furlough.
Clark sburg, once the basis of operations in
W estern virginia, and military post second
to none except Washington City. is at present
very dull. We have some six companies of in
fantry here, two Of cavalry and one company of
light artillery rom Ohio, commanded 10y Captain
Hymen. Lieut. Col. n T. Richmond of the ST
Virginia cavalry, commands the post. Captain
Leib is still the Quartermaster and after all his
abuse seems to be the fright man in the right
place" He has maintained his position at one
place longer, and conducted his business better
probably than any Quartermaster in this Depart
ment. An old citizen of Indiana Col. David
Runon. is general manager of the department
under Capt Leib
No news yet from New Creek, Hancock or
Romney. ALErHEUs.