Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-01-14
coveted orders to march to the rescue of

ments of several regiments had orders to
hold themselves in readiness to march at
any moment. This order elevated the am
0ltlous feelings of the 'boys7 to higher
pitch than ever, and was the subject of
conversation and conjecture, as to where
we were going, until Monday evening, wher
we were notified by our officers that the
orders from head quarters were to prepare
one days rations, and to hold ourselves in
readiness to march Mt l o'clock in the
morning. We were all ready in n short
time, and at IL o'clock, the command fall
an, .fdH IN, was sounded through the quar-
ters OF companies A. B. c. u. f. and F. =.
these being all that were detailed from the
lst Va. regiment
In short time all was ready, and part
ing good-bycs were exchanged between
friends, who would probably see each other
no more.
We were not long on our way to town,
where we were to join the rest OF those
composing the expedition. About II o'clock
tue onward march was commenced, and to
tue surprise fall, except the officers COM
manding, the expedition was headed to.
wards Winchcster. We marched pailv and
cheerful " on, surprising our pickets as we
passed them, as they were not expecting us
in that direction.
The pike proved to be an excellent road,
and we got along at pretty brisk rate,
nothing rctHrding our progress except the
occasional crossing of creek or run. The
outpost of the enemy was reached by our
advance, the Ringgold Cavalry, about
daylight, and the scntinels all captured
and placed under guard. Our advance
took the pickets at every post rs we nd
vanced, without giving them u chance to
fire single alarm.
fl,a
where the road forllcl. about one mile and
a half from the rebel encampment. the
force was divided. The 4th, 5th and 8th
Ohio, and lIth Indiana took the right
hand road, while the 7th Ohio and lst
Virginia proceeded Ou the left branch
After marching about half n mile, we
turned to our right on the top of the hill.
and just before us was the Gap in which
our enemies were cncamped. Just to the
| right of the North river bridge, in field,
which commanded the Gap and bridge, our
artillery was gong through some most
exciting and beautiful mannuvers, en-
deavoring to draw the enemy's fire, or to
get into commanding position.
When but half q mile from the Gap, we
were commanded to doublc-quick it, which
was cheerfully obeyed. We crossed the
bridge, and were soon at tie entrance to
ployed as skirmishurs on the right and
left of the Gap, and in short time the
oail opened briskly on both sides, and a
continuous fire kept up on the hillsides by
both parties. The common squirrel rifles
with which many of the rebels were al med,
rang out clearly on the fresh morning air
and were easily distinguished from all
| others.
Our ColOne', who had bravely ridden on
some hundred yards in advance, came gal
looping back, and waving his sword above
his head, shouted, "BOys, if you want to
see them.you will have to run. Come on
Follow me- And wheeling his horse, he
led us to the charge through the Cap
We reached the camp just in time to see
the las. OF the enemy scattering in every
direction, and running as fast rs ever reb-
els ran. We succeeded in killing eight
here and taking some fifteen or twenty
prisoners. The cavalry then came chArg-
ing up the road, and followed the retreat
ing SeceSh three miles out the Winchester
road, where they succeeded in killing sew
eral and taking some prisoners. The loss
on our side was nary one killed, and but
one slightly wounded.
The rout of the rebels was the most
complete of any that has ever been accom-
plished. We learned from some of the
prisoners that their force was 1000 infant
ry, 100 cavalry under Capt. Shcetz, and n
detachment of artillery, known rs the
'lrish Tigers" We captured their entire
camp, all the artillery, and some three
hundred stand of arms. These consisted
of various kinds, from the common rifle
with flint lock, to the HNrpcr's Ferry mus
kct. These muskcts were tue best arms
they had.
AS soon as we had killed, captured and
driven off the rebels, we returned to the
camp, and the work of devastation began
and was continued until every vestige of
property was destroyed. Among other
things was II large Touring mill, which
was running when VIC reached it. The
miller ran out, and received bullet in his
back, which proved fatal ia Il few mo-
ments.
The brand was applied to the mill and it
was soon wrapped i'll flames. In about an
hour after we charged into the gap, we
commenced the homeward mach, leaving
nothing of the camp but heap of ashes
We are all safe i'll camp again after having
accomplished a march of 80 miles, aud
breaking up strong rebel encampment,
within the short time of eighteen hours.
There is considerable hustle in camp
to day but what is the occasion cannot
tell.
Gen. Lander arrived here this morning,
and is very busy at his quarters. All |
can say is that there is to be something
did
will write you again soon, and let you
know where we are and what we are doing.
But no more ut present.
Yours respectfully,
SERGEANT MooRE.