Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-01-04
From Ne,v creek.
NEW cnErk, Jan. /, 1859

ANIs" ShbhhN Suhs AIOss
Editors inteffigeneer
You will oblige me by finding room ia
your invaluable paper for the following
account ofthe skirmish that took place in
Greenland Hardy county, on Sunday last
Our scouts started from New Greek and
arrived at Capt. Shells quarters at late
hour on Saturday night, where we conclu-
ded to stop over night. Shortly after mid
night messenger arrived and informed
Us that he had seen one hundred and nine
ty-tive rebels pass his house on their way
to surprise Shells company, which they had
heard were all sick. We were not long in
getting ready for them.
we Ihrew out an extra picket force and
awaited the attack. At 8 o'clock a. m,
| torty-ivC rebel cavalry and one hundred
and twenty-six infantry attempted 10 drive
in our piCkets which fred on them and
was answered by about eighty shots. At
this time great confusion prevailed in the
quarters, rs there were tifty-six of Shells
company sick with the measles and mumps,
and when they heard the report of the
muskstry it appeared to heal diseases, for
they all run and got their guns and were
soon ready to fight or die.
The pickets kept the rebels Mt bay for at
least twenty minutes when they were over
powered and broke to Camp We were
now counting the sick that had their guns
and were in file torty-seveu strong, and on
ly awaited the advance of the rebels, who
had mostly all concealed themselves in the
bushes along side the road, but finding we
would not get in their trap. they made
signs of a retreat; but when they found ont
we would not be fooled they raised a veil
ike SO many devils would do, and made at
US hallowtng aud crying abolitioui SITS, &c,
We stood our ground, they advanced within
one hundred and fifty yards of us before
either side fred shot, and then they let
US have about eighty rounds, at this we
gave them one vOllcy and brought down
one OF their cavalry which by this time
were coming too near or at least they
thought so. We exchanged several shots
when the rebels broke for the woods and
our forces after them. Twenty Of our sick
that had been engaged had given out not
being able to stand the fatigue The num-
Der we had now was % lighting men,
who were behind trees, rocks, &c, and
every shot we made brought down a man or
morse. They saw it would not do to stand
much longer so they gathered their wounds
ed and dead which they carried on their
horses before them. At seven O'Clock thev
commenced retreating and We followed
them about one mile, but gave up the chase
for will acknowledge they eau run faster
1AIAu OuF FORCES, ior they are used to it.
we returned to camp, aud found out
that three OF Capt. ShelPs men were
wounded, but not bad. One of our scouts,
a member Of Capt Reese's company, had
four bullet holes shot through his great
coat, three through the cape and one in
the sleeve. Our scouts were Ia charge of
our Orderly Sergeant, and it is said they
behaved extraordinarily good for the first
engagement they had been in. Cant.
Sheifs men are good soldiers, and all
crack marksmen, and much credit is due
MN for the interest he takes in the glo-
rious cause.
Capt. Shell sent a messenger to Captain
Reese, at New Greek, requesting him TO
send reinfOreements, for fear the rebels |
would be reinforced and make an attack. |
In tWenty-eight minutes after Cant. Reese
got the message, he was on his way 10 |
Greenland with sixty men, At which place |
he arrived on Sunday night AT 10 O'Clock. |