Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-17
our Army CorrespOndence : Letter
from Western Virginia.
CLARKsBURG, VA.

OLAkkSBOkG, a. Il Gu %, 1cO<
EDITOR SENTINEL: "Grim- visaged war; has
almost ..smoothed his wrinkled front" in the
Department of Western Virginia. and do not
know that would dare, in justice to myself and
in compassion for your readers, to address you at
this time and from this place, but that an event
yesterday took place which will deeply interest
some if not all of your towns people. L had the
pleasure of seeing, conversing and knowing Capt.
J. r. Bracken's company of cavalry from lndi-
ana, passing through Clarksburg on their way to
Palkersburg, Virginia They came Immediately
from Huttonsville, and only left the hard and
active service in which they were engaged to re
cruit both men and horses, which have been CON-
pletely worn down by the fatigues undergone in
the mountains of Western Virginia This indie
pendent company has probably seen in the past
six months more active service-more of the
stern realities OF war; than all other companies
and regiments in the Department. Arriving in
Western Virginia in July, shortly after the battle
of Rich Mountain, they have been steadily and
actively engaged in the toughest and seeerest SER
vice of the war-in the Cheat Mountain division.
For three months after their coming-July, Au-
gust and September-they were the only company
of cavalry in their division. and they Zone com
pany) had to fulfill the duties do the work of
regiment OF cavalry, which was about the pro-
portion to the infantry then in service in the De
partment. They did it well and faithfully.
They explored every road, nook and corner
found out and knew every by-path and kept
open constant communication between the three
camps OF the dstrct-Cheat Mountain, the Pass
and Elkwater. Their services as cavalry are in
calculable In skrinishing, accommodating, dis
patching in all kinds of quick work. they could
not have been dispensed with nor could their
place as creditably have been filled by any com
pany within my knowledge. Attached to no
regiment, entirely independent without that
jealousy and ll-teeling which sometimes arises in
volunteer forces-no desire, no emulation but
that each do his part and do it WE'LL they we're
always found ready, and squads of the company
have been in every skirmish on the lines. The
company was at the repulse of Lee III September;
at the battle of Greenbriar on the Sd of October;
at the battle of Aileghaney in December and at
the taking of Huntersvile ON the Sd of January
In all they have lost twenty men and fifty
horses
feel proud an Indianian born to recount in
part the "deeds of noble daring" done by these
brave men-to contemplate their present broken
down condition and realize that they have been
brought TO it by real service, and that Tor our
common cause-Our country. And this morning
when babe them a God speed at Their starting,
| felt that we would miss them and miss them
much in the campaign in the vicinity of Cheat
Mountain during the time they would be engaged
in recruiting. Capt. Bracken looks every inch
solder, and while his silvery hair and white,
short mustache are indicative that the hardest of
life and services have been seem his bright, keen
eve indicates still more emphatically that he is
yet and ever ready TO meet his enemies and give
the rebels their just due and punishment. Hugh
DelZell, First Lieutenant, seems none the worse
for war and holds his own remarkably well. He
has flowing beard about to his middle, and is as
lively as ever he could be in the nice, quiet city
of Indianapolis. In fact the men, as class are
hardy set of devils and look as though they
could stand anything and that without recruiting.
Last night before their departure they had dance
in the United States Hotel, kindly furnished by
the proprietor, Commodore Hamlin, who was
formerly resident Of indianapolis.
Captain Bracken visits indianapolis shortly on
furlough.
Clarksburg, once the basis of operations in
Western Virginia and as a military post second
TO none except Washington City. is at present
very dull. We have some six companies of in
fantry here, two of cavalry and one company Of
light artillery from Ohio, commanded by Captain
Hymen. Lieut. Col. n p. Richmond. of the LIST
Virginia cavalry, commands the post. Captain
Leib is still the Qurtermaster, and after all bis
abuse seems to be the fright man in the right
place" He has maintained his position at one
place longer, and conducted his business better
probably than any Quartermaster in this Depart
ment An old citizen of Indiana, Col. David
Runion. is general manager of the department
under Capt. Leib.
No news yet from New Creek, Hancock or
Romney. ALETHEUs.