Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-12-20
Tho Flrst vlrglnla Infantry.
NORM MounrAIn SrArLon.

NOhTH mOUATAIA STATION, .tH #...
BERKELEY Co., Va, Dec 18th, 1862.
Editors Lntelligeneer:
Thinking that a few words from the LIST
Virginia regiment would be acceptable to
many of your readers and would be read
with interest, take advantage of the pres
ent opportunity to write you. a
II will not surprise you to receive let
ter superscribed as above, as you arc al
ready aware of our leaving Cumberland.
We arrived in Cumberland from Wheeling
after brisk run of tWenty-three hours,
finding everybody there expecting U.s.
Nothing of interest marked our stay in the
city, except review Of the l26th Ohio,
I'd Maryland and Ist Virginia regiments,
aud the 9Th Virginia battery, these being
all the troops quartered there at that time.
% Monday, the 9th inst, our regiment
received marching orders, and were soou
on board the cars, gliding swiftly over the
B. L o. r. r. toward the East, reaching
Back Creek bridge about 8 o'clock, p. NJ,
of the same day. We remaieud in the cars
all night, and the next morning disern barked
about one mile from this station, this be-
ing as far as we could run. We carried
and wagoued our camp equipage to this
place. camping in piece Of woods along
the Williamsport road. Here we were in
great danger of being attacked by the rebel
cavalry, aud slept on our arms three nights
in succession.
On the evening of last Wednesday we
were reinforced by squadron of tho LIST
N. Y. cavalry. On Thursday morning this
cavalry proceeded TO Aartinsburg, and
from thence Is meu secuted the country
as far as Bunker Hill. where they eucoun-
tered 10 of tho 7th Virginia (rebel) cavalry.
Our 20 gallant New Workers charged on
the rebels. dispersed them, captured IL
prisoners and two horses. Not a man was
scratched on our side.
The Railroad is torn up for 81 miles
Tho destruction is complete, not u tie or
straight is left, and in some instances the
rails have been heated red hot and wound
around the trees near the road. The work
men are relaying the track at the rate Of
one mile per day and it will be finished in
few days.
We find the people in this neighborhood
almost unanimous for the sold flag" and
tte county has given = majority Of eight
hundred votes 10 favor of the Union. l
have been about amongst the citizens to
some extent, and have become acquainted
with many Of the refugees who have been
forced TO leave their homes and families to
save themselves from rebel prison.
The Union refugees of Kentucky and
Tennessee have enlisted tho sympathies of
all loyalists, bat the hundreds Of loyal men
who have besA hunted like foxes among the
Businesses of the North Mountains of vir-
gtuia, feel that thsy have not friend 10 the
world, tor so they express Ihsnselves.-
| Some OF thsAs men who have left their
homes for the sake Of the Union, aud who
have fed into Maryland, rather than sarri-
Gee their principles have returned, only TO
and their property destroyed, and their FAM
lilies left peuniless.
The following extract I have been per-
mitted to copy from letter written By 4
Union refugee from this county, who is at
present sojourning In Ohio, aud will serve
to illustrate the hsrdshiPs Of these men.
DsAR M."-Haveyo gone TO some far
of corner of Dixie, or have you hid your.
self among the rocks of the North Noun
taius3 Speak 1 implore you for I would
have you know that Still remember the
time when you and I were Ia the Mountains
together, after we ''skedaddledH from that
bed of secession, (HedRssVille) when you
handed me your hat, and placed your ear
to the ground to listen for the sound of
Rebel cavalry. I shall always remember
our trdmps and trials. need not remind
you Of these incidents, for you have as much
reason to tecollect them as myself. Should
We ever meet again at North Mountain, We
will drink each others health, aud st1sdr
perpetual aud ettrHGt allegiance TO our COM
rades and fellow refugees of 1881. I re.
member certain September night, in 1861,
when st. you and took peaceabIe
possession of the upper story of the S,vins
house, with uapght TO disturb our rest but
the grunt Of Mr.. Swine below. MY last race
ran in time which beat all previous races,
except G-'s aud he made the run in
2:2s, the fastest time known among the Viz
ginia racers. s. is entitled to all money
at stake. will send him an order on Jeff.
Davis 4 Co., payable at sight"
Our regiment is in good health, and as
we will have easy times this winter, We
are dtt satisfied. Yours truly,
Ct Sergeant AoORB.