Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-03-14

Il Washington correspondent of the
Cincinnati Commercial relates the follow
ing:
At the armed Reconnaissance at Rich
Mountain wv. VAL Col. Thomas NJ. Key,
Aid.de-Camp to Major General Geo. B.
Mcclellan, attesIed bis loyalty and proved
his courage by conspicuous gallantry.-
His coolness and intrepidity won universal
admiration, and his daring conduct elected
the distinct approval of soldiers, one of
whom, a regular officer, emphAtically said,
"COl. Key is the brayest man ever saw
The recOnnoiteriug force consisted of Nc
+ Cooks "bully Dutehmen,n LOOMS Michi-
gan battery, -Barker's Chicago cavalry, and
the Sd aud 4th Ohio regiments. The post
of honor, as ever under Gen. Mcclellan in
the West, was assigned to AcCoOk's regi-
ment. They were ordered to the recon
noisauce under a sharp tire from artillery
and riaemen, the remainder of the force
was held in reserve within range of the
rebel guns. While the brave Dutchmen
deplOyed as tirailleurs on the glaois, in the
forest aud in the midst Of tha heavy abba
tis, driving back the rebel skirmishers, the
recOnuoisance officers were sent forward
under the eye of Gen. Mcclellan. .rf
Gen. Rosecrans, distinguished bylhis uni
form aud splendid horsenanship dashed
alone up the mountain side on the right of
the rebels, and there made observations up
on which was projected bis scheme to turn
the rebel flank. Col. Key, Lieut.. Poe, (now
Colonel of yolunteers,) Geographical OIL
GER of the staff, and dare devil scout, one
Dixon, from Pennsylvania, pushed into the
gorge of the enemy's works under warm
fire. As they proceeded the fire grew hot
ter and the rebel balls sped uncomfortably
close to Col. Key. Dixon remarked that
the rebels were aiming at Key, who was
uniformed, and advised taking to cover
At that instant u ball passed between them.
| Quoth Dixon, "Colouel, that fellow is
shooting at you" pointing 10 a clump of
quiveriug bushes up the mountain side.-
"Where the ID is he 2" quoth Key; 81
want a shot at him." posing McCIellnn's
Maynard rifle, which he had borrowed for
the occasion. Another ball brushed his
ear, when Dixon pulled him behind an en-
bankment on the lower side of the road,
where they watched for chances to shoot.
Meantime, Col. Fred. Lander, then a.yol-
unteer Aid to Gen. Mcclellan, stalked down
the road below them to the very heart of
the gorge, where he deliberately stopped
in the road and made his observations with
startling sung Jroid. For SOME iuscrutAble
reason the rebel mArksmeu ceased firing at
the noble target before them, when Lander
turned, COolly took of his hat, bowed to
the enemy who covered the parapet not two
hundred yards above him, aud startedback,
the rebels re-OPening scattering fire.
Col. Key, observing Lander, Immediately
left cover, aud moving down the road met
him. with that simplicity of manner which
those only who know him intimately can
appreciate, said, "COl, Lander, did sho,o
any uRllsUGt emotion under fre3" the rebel
marksmeu at that moment striving to kill
the two heroes. Here was picture worthy
of the days of romance. The war has fur
nished no more splendid illustration of de-
Votion and courage. 1t was witnessed and
Rpplauded by hundreds of both armies.-
The gallant Lander, himself, recounting
the curious coloquy in the gorge, remarked
with characteristicayehem "Col. Key
is as brave man as God ever made"