Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-01-14
FROM Ro11NEY.
RoMNEY Va. Inn 3. 1SG

RoMSEY Va. Jan. 8, 1862.
Editors Lntclligencer:
On Thursday morning at one O'Clock, the
lst Virginia, 4th, 9Th and 8th Ohio. and
l4th Indiana regiments of Infantry, Daum's
and Howard's batteries 10 pieces, with the
battalion of the lst Virginia cavalry. and
Capt. Keeps and Capt. GrccnGeld's compn-
MES of cavalry, left this place for Blues
Gap, l6 miles on the Winchester road.--
The 5th Ohio and the two batteries, with
Greenicld's cavalry formed the advance
guard. The 4th and 5th Ohio were at the
river by daylight, and were Immediately
depIoyed as skirmishers, one to the right
and the other to the left of the Gap. The
4th encountered small force of sccesh in
fhntry on the hill, and soon made them
"sEedaddle." The 5th got into the enemies
entrenchments before either party knew it,
and the way they "cleaned out the Kitchen
was caution. The Sth Ohio, lst Virgin
Ia and 18th Indiana were taken through TO
the mouth of the Gap. with IL I2-pound
hOwitZer; aud MS soon as the rebels saw
them they left on double. quick The bat
talllOn OF the lst Virginia cavalry under
command of Capt. ]. Lowry McGee,-in
the absence of the Major, was then
called into service, and made one of the
most daring, brillinn, and dangerous char
5SS SAASutSAL LLG GililI ever Slw. l. or
about one mile through the woods, over
logs, rocks, ''gullies," &c, the brave lads
went led by Captains McGec and Keys: but
they were sent the wrong road, the rebels
mad turned to the left round n point and
taken to the bushes, and struck out for the
Winchester road. 1t was II complete rout
We captured aud burned all their shnnties,
large number of hint-lock muskets, some
flour, salt, bacon, beef, and l, with three
others, captured a skillet .iWy Of hot cake,
which was just ready for use, so we uscd it,
The boys made a raise of some blankets
cartridge boxes, belts aud two or three
pair of boots. We took two six-pound
cannon, twelve horses, three mead of cat
tie and sixteen prisoners, eight of whom
were their Pickets, which we picked up on
the road before day.
Well, the fight is over, and we know that
the secesh loss in killed was nine. some say
more; while our loss was none; not sin
gle Union man was killed or wounded.-
One of the Kelley Lancers was hurt little
in the foot by his horse falling on him.
must now make my complaints of the
| commander, Col. Dnnning. The cavalry,
under command of Capt. J. Lowry McGee,
were left at the bridge, and the l2-pound
howitzer taken through to the mouth of
| the Gap. So soon as the rebels saw the
little "baby-wuker" they left, and a man
was sent back TO the bridge, nearly mile
to bring up the cavalry, thus giving the
"cedar heads" two miles start Had we
been taken through after the howitzer, we
could have nabbcd the whole nest. But
the worst Of it was, when they got us into
Gap we were sent tie arrORg road Whose
fault that was am unable to say. With
the exception of this little bad manage
ment, everything else passed Off we'll. We
destroyed all their camp, and every house
within mile that they had been using.
Lieut.. James A. Lewis, of the First Vir-
ginia Infantry, was out, and lie may be set
down as good soldier; he never flinchcd.
l cannot pick out certain marks for favor
able noticc-alI did well.
The cavalry charge was made by all the
companies. The Kelley Lanccrs, Ringgold
and Washington cavalry, and companies
B and d of the First Virginia cavalry, were
all mixed up. A corporal Ct. D. Hawkcr)
of company \, and one OF the Ringgold
boys, led the column. 1t was cheering
sight to see the 7th Ohio, lst Virginia and
l4th Indiana regiments of infantry gong
ut double quick through the bridge, and
then when the devils ran, to sec them open
ranks and cheer the cavalry on with their
two thousand hoorahs
We are now expecting an attack from
Winchester. All have to say is. "Let 'em
come, and we will send them back with Il
flea in their cars" More anon.
Yours, n N. II.
P. 81 have just learned that it was not
by Col. Dunning's order that cavalry was
kept back. make this note in order that
| may do no man injustice. II.