Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-09-25
THE FIRST vIReIN1A CAVALRY.
MARTIHsvIELB, ONO, n
September 25d, ls6lsf
Editors Inteliigeneer

Editors Intstiigneer:
vas glad 70 see 10 your issue of Nom
day moruing, a letter from a member Of
the First Yirgiuta Oavalry-from one who
Is not afraid Of the powers that be- aud will
have justice done he has made an ezPOss
which should have been made loug since.
The reason thai our regiment has been per-
mitted to remRin back when there was
great work 10 do, has never until now been
made kuoWn. The restiVe spirit Of the
brave men of that regiment had, IN de-
gree, become deadened, because their lea
der was dead to every feeling oftTue cour-
age and heroism the reputation and honot
which should Otherwise have been ours,
was blasted-bligbted ID the bud.
Not since the nation's pride was trailed
low in-the dust from of the walls of Sum.
ter, has a braVer or more noble band rail-
lied to the standard of the UniOn than that
oftlie lst Virginia Cavalry, taken. as they
were, from your workshops, your stores,
your iron Works, aud from the grand old
bills and valleys of your once happy State,
all with one mind-one view, that being
the restoration Of their country.
NO,One eau for moment doubt the pure
patriotism aud courage which prompted
these men. for no sooner than the clarion
notes Of @to arms % was sounded from the
Wateh.tower Of freedom than they rushed
70 the call, aud long ere the notes had died
away among the mountains Of the North
they Werein the field. but owing 70 a zeal
which never sharaeteFized1 tho actions OF
our leader in anyIhiog else We have the
satisfaction (2l Of knowing from him that
as long as be could help Il We never would
be taken intOi danger. His actions sinee
has but too truly verified his sayings. A
regiment Of good aud brave men had 70
submit, and 70 be called towards because
OF the imbeeility of one. Il was humIlia-
ing In the extreme for Us 10 know that the
State We represented, as we'll as our friends
at home looked and looked in vain for
our honorable mentlOn, while We we're in
truth, peersito those who branded Us as
towards. ross b .ss'--
We were not 70 be held back always
Lieutenant- Colonel Riehm0ud was relieved
from the post at Clarkshprg, Virginia
and Immediately reported 70 the regiment
ahen at RectortOWn, aud from that time 10
the present our course has been onward
and upward Ia the military world. GeneF
erals saw regiment OF strange men, and
thought 70 try them ROE. From the She
nandoah Valley we were ordered 20 tn.
front, Our frst move was 70 CulpePpsI
Court House. We were then twelve OF
fifteen miles in advance Of the army, aud
every days work there served 70 reject
credit and honor 70 the State aud causs w
represented. In BriRadier General Bpford
we foqnd a man who knew when, how and
where 70 DrdeFraad in Colonel Riehmond
We had man Who would falfl an oripr
Oar Teeonnoisaness we're OF some areoEu
nOV TO the army. WssWonld 'ilight down
and eAptuEe the enemy's piekets, and hAr
ass .fhefadgauqs gnard nptil il bes gue a
an old song, The ehange EaBi Haartseds o.
the featH5es Of every oney d We, Were, q. .op
slement-doing that which We had sworn y