Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-10-14
Letter from the list virginia oavalry.
HELDauAETEas 1sr vIRsrN1G CAVALRY,
CAMP oS IHE BANKS OF THE POToNAe,
October 1Ith, is6a.
Edifors InteHigeneer:


CAMP oS IHE BANKS OF THE P0ToNAe,
Edtors Intslligsney:
We have seen the extracts, in the Balti-
more American, from your paper, relative
to the rebel plans ofinyading Western Yir-
ginia, with deep feelings of regret Our
young breasts burn with anger. and our
hearts blood is chilled by the fear of such
diabolical plans ever being executed, Deep
is the chagrin and humiliation OF our brave
regiment, at being encamped on the banks
ofthe Potomac when their own homes are
likely to become the shelter of fiendish
traitors, and their firesides to be disgraced
and polluted by the disciples of John c.,
Calhoun, that demon iucarnate.
We have heard all along with delight
that our beloved Governor was exerting
every means in his power to bring us back
to our childbood's home, and with buOyant
spirits would perform our duties, confident
OF his success, until the present mail brings
the sad tidings that he has failed. Swiftly
the sad news Aies through our camp
sad grows the heart, and dark the brow as
each reads the few short words, a volume
to them. How different.the camp from an
hour ago. The merry laugh is hushed, aud
the animated discussion unheard, and duty
that was GLADLY done before now goes off
mechanically performed. The guard on
his lonely beat is tue only sign Ofanima-
ton, SO deep and dark is the cloud of des-
pair that envelopes us now. Is this not
natural2 Is it not patriotic? Cannot men
that have won laurels abroad, win fame or
death at homer Yesl for the blood that is
dear to us now would be as drops OF water
in protecting our ovH Capitol, and loved
friends at home.
We are now under marching orders, aud
as line after line of troops are ploddiug
onward in steady column, and the rambling
Of heavy artillery is heard from sfar off
giving warning TO the deadly messengers
that it will soon bslch forth, The noble
horses of our hrigsdes are pranciug around
as If eager to hurry their riders 10 the fields
of action. Rumors are flying through camp
that that portion OF Virginia laying west
of Fairfax and CentreVille are to
again witness the scenes of bloody carnage
that our unhappy State has SO often seen
before. But it it be true that Gen. Lee is
still falling back toward Richmond, this
bold front may be an attempt Of the heart
less reoels to again gain the fatal Bull Run
ground aud for short time ponr their
deadly missiles into the ranks of our uu-
finching army Or it may be sne of their
daring blinds to retard our advance until
the cunning Lee or slippery jackson can
jump from beneath the hand of little tMaci
But then heavy cannonading has been
heard in that direction to-day, and the gem
eral move of soldiers will, 90 doubt, make
aaother page for the pen of the unerring
historian.
The course of the administration in issu.
ing the proclamation declaring all slaves
held in the United States free after the LIST
of January, 1868, the proclaiming of mar.
In n " a md fknu TNa - Al "a
ha3edS corpus, has opened the Hayto many
an animated discussion, and some few,
eveu in our own camp, would resort to
blows to decide the question rather than
tax their mental capacities 10 any great
extent find il so in most all camps, the
majority advocate aud praise the Presi-
dents decision, while a few takes the
| ground "it is unconstitutional" uncalled
for, and head-strong plotting scheme.
But let US hope that such sentences as these
were uttered in anger, and that our army
can boast of a nobler set of men who will
he always willing to say, sour country,
right or wrong, nOiO and forever.n i know
this is the sentiment and that we will all
protect Americas second father
But our bugie has blown "to horse" and
as our brave Lieut.. Col. Richmond again
stands at the head of the column TO lead
us to "victOry or DEATH" must leave you
with word ms to the sanitary condition Of
our regiment. We are well provided with
clothing and equipments for another short
campaign, aud comparing our health to that
Of other regiments in the brigade, Iswould
say say it was about75 per cent lower than
theirs. Whether this is due to our surgeons
knowledge of sites for camping ground. or
his superior qualifications as a physician,
am not able TO say, but am inclined TO
belieFe that his advice is sought after in
10th particulars. Yours, truly, eid
ha.t- E. N. W.