Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-09-15
The Late Raid ON Buc khannon-Gen
Kelley Censured.


Editors Inteiligsneer:
The undersigned would ask space in
your columns in reference to7the late de-
structive career of the rebel jenkins
through the heart of Western Virginia.
The following details of the facts are
made by one thoroughly conVersaut with
every movement both OF our own and the
eneuy's forces, and may be strictly relied
upon MS true:
The expedition planned by Col. Harris,
of the Tenth Virginia Regiment, to meet
Imbodeu, was started on Monday morning
the 9th OF August, aud was founded on a
theory which, after careful consideration
of all the facts which he had gathered, he
had formed of what the rebels would at
temptto do.
He sent n detachment under Lieut.. Col.
Hall, consisting of three companies of in-
fnutry, oue-half of the Ringgold cavalry,
aud Captain Maulsby's full battery of six
guns, to go by the Huntersville road as
far as Martins Bottom in Pocahontas coun-
ty. He sent Major Limert, of the seth
Ohio Regiment, with three companies of in-
fantry, one-half of the Rirggold cavalry,
having with them u good mountain hoWit-
ger and section of Ewing's battery, 1.-TWO
good Parrot twelve pouunder guns,l under
command of the indonitable Lieut. Morton,
to go by the Stauntou turnpike as far ns
Hightown, If he did not encounter limbo
den sooner. Col. Harris started himself
with one hundred and sixty men belonging
to the 10th Va. to go by the Seneca route,
and follow in lmboden's rear on his re-
treat from Tucker county. BE was to pur-
sue him until he placed the rebel Colonel
between himself and Major Limert. 1t
has since been ascertained that the no.
torious Jenkins with his rebel cavalry was
on its way to combine with Imboden at
Huntersville to attack Beverly, and that
Lieut.. Col. Hall wonld have met Jenkins
at or near the Big Springs in PocahOntas
county on Tuesday, the 25th, whilst Major
Limert must on the same day have en-
countered ImbOden at Slaven's Hacking on
Cheat Mountain. @ e
Now the question Is would these detach
ments have been able for theirrespectivefoes?
1t has been ascertained that ImbOden had
about three hundred infantry, all butsiXty
of whom were raw recruits which he had
gathered up on the route. He had about
twenty cavalry and three small howizers
which he packed on mules. 1t is therefore
clear that Major Limert would have been
able to manage him, had he stood to
tight. Jenkins had from 1--WE to seven hun
dred cavalry, a large proportion OF. whom
were raw recruits that had just Joined him
in Pocahontas county, and were refugees
from the western counties, who had escap-
ed to avoid draft, and were without drill
or discipline. Ii is very clear that few
shells thrown among them by Lieut.. Mar
tin from his well served battery would
have dispersed them to the winds. Whilst
it is equally clear that 1t. Col. Hall having
o battery OF six guns under command of the
brave Capt. Maulsby could have placed
himself in such position as would have
rendered it impossible for such force to
come near him. But suppose Imboden
would have avoided an engagement with
Major Limert, and he and jenkins had
unanswered to secure combination, this
would have occupied at least twenty-four
hours, and would have given Col. Harris
time to join Major Limert aud also Lieut..
Col. Hall by which our whole forces could
also have been consolidated. The plan was
to combine at Martins Bottomif we should
not fall in with the enemy, whence our
forces were to return to Beverly.
This expedition was recalled by General
Kelley, who came in just after II had been
placed in motion. Ali the troops were held
at Beverly except three or four companies,
who were sent to- the wrong side'to hold
posts back in the country tdat Imboden had
left and through which Gen. Kelley's for
ces had marched as they came to Beverly.
Gen. Kelley set down to fOrtify posi-
ton near Beverly and thus tho week was
whist Imboden aud jenkins came
TO within twelve miles Of Beverly on Thurs
day the 2sth of August, aud having learned
our strength concluded not to attack US.
Imboden drew back whilst Jenkins went
around us to Buchkannon, Weston, &C.,
sweeping and destroying every thing be-
ment, in his unchecked career.ai4i ;ith.Ul
Comment is needless. No soldiers in the |
service are more courageous than those,in |
Western Virginia. None have endured |
more severe labor, aud yet when we'll
iormed plans by which the enemies Of our
;ommou country areabout TO beeaptnred,
ire entirely thWarted by the manifest IN |
andiueficieucy of high COM
handing officer, il becomes a solema duty
which every citizen as well as soldier owes,l
o his bleeding couutsyin this her hour Of