Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-10-28
NO. XXI.
Gen. Jenkin Z Campaign in Western yir-
ginia.
The following is the copy of letter from an
officer of Gen A. G.. Jenkins cavalry to men,
Der Of Congress, date,7:

Inc Following is Inc copy of a letter from an
: officer of Gen A. G. Jenkins cavalry to men,
. Der Of Congress, date,7:
81 ~ 8is s3fsh CHAR ltEsros, Sept. 21, 1862.
eI Dear S'r:-ln accordance with my promise to
give you history of ou- expedition to the
Northwest, have stopped ba ck here to-day to
write to you We left Union, in Monroe county,
on the 24th of August, with six lNundred caval-
ry, for Beverly, Randolph county On arriving
at huttonSvIlle, or rather what FL ,ttonsville,
we met Gen. keey's pckets, some of whom we
Killed and took prisoners From the prisoners,
and also the inhabitants we learned that Kelley
nad three thousand meH and eight pieces of ar
slilery We concluded that it would not be safe
10 attack him there, and took a COW path across
Rlch Mountain, a distance of thirty miles to
Upshur county, the head waters of Trench
Greek The Home Guards there had lust re-
ceIved their arms, and we skirmished with them
about ten miles We killed few of them and
nad one man wounded-Captain Ferguson
whom We left in Buchanan. When we arrived
10 about mile of the town Of Buchanan, we as
certalned that they had news of our approach
ana were preparing to receive us. We tiismount-
go the cavalry, and began the attack Tie fight
laSteo ABOUT ten minutes, when the Yankees cri-
Gu out Tor quarter. We then took possession of :
the town, and found immense commissary and
quartermaster's stores. besides between four and
nVe Thousand stand of arms, all of which we de-
sToyed We found overcoats and gum blan-
kets enough for all Of our mon, besides other
things TOO numerous to mention. think that az
the least calculation We destroyed at least half
a q mliilon OIL stores, and between four and five
thousand stand of arms. We left that same
nght Tor weston, which we took at daylight the
next morning, the garrison having run at our an !.
proach- We stayed there that day and left in the
night tor Glenville, where arrived on the dav
oHowIng' The ankees gave us one volley and
broke to the woods. Here rested our jaded
men until the next day, when we marched on
spencer, Roane county. On arriving within two
niles OF the town, Gen. Jenkins sent me in
With flag of truce, demanding an unconditiou-
i surrender. As weot into the town the Erst
nan saw was Major Trimble, who Immediately
ecOgnIzed me, ant prOfeSSed to be very glad 10 =
ee me. asked to be shown to the Commander il
# the Post who was Col. Rathburn of Parkers-
urg. stated my errand and after delibera-
ing ABOUT fifteen minutes, he laid down his arms
nd surrendered the whole garrison, amounting L
0 two hundred and twenty men, all of whom ws,
aroled and sent home. On the day after we
amped at Ripley, Jackson county; on the day
blowing we took possession of Ravenswood
ne garrison having crossed the river at our an sa
roach. We staid in Ravenswood about five
ours, when we crossed the Ohio river into the
ominions of Abe. The General sent me ahead
Ith two companies, to take the town of Racine, ~
hlch did in double quick time. The Home
uards turned out to oppose our entrance into
wn, and fred at US, when ordered charge
Id scattered them to the winds. Thus had
10 honor OF taking the first town IN Old Abes
We recrossed the river and arrived at
ufalo, on the kanawha river. We staid
lere the next day, and on the day following we
'ossed the Kanaw ha into Cabell county, where
e remained for several days, waiting for Gen.
oring to come down the valley, but could hear
othing OF him We then took up our line of
arch for Union. On arriving at Wyoming
'unty we learned that Loring had gone down
le Valley.
Our cavalry are at present, about twelve miles
ON here--our advance post is at Buffalo, thir-
1.-TWO miles from Charleston. We Captured
sre and at Gauley, and the enemy had destroy
|, about five million dollars worth of stores-
ar forces have possession Of the entire Valley
Point Pleasant, which is occupied by the en-
ny.