Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-04-05
Letter from the ThIrd virginia.


Letter from the Third Virginia.
Editors IHtelEigencsr:-
Ny last letter closed with short account
of a recent scouting expedition sent ont
into rocahontas county. At the time OF
Since that we have learned the details, but
they are not worth repeating. We lost
two men, Albright and SpurgeOn mot
Irwin, ss was at first reported). Both Of
these men are believed to be still alive
and in tue hands of the seCCsh.
Every, day or two a squad OF refugees
from POcahOntaS come into camp. They
are fleeing from the mobs who ProWI
through that county attempting tn enforce
the order of Letcher, to draft the militia.
The refugees confirm the information which
We have long heard, that the majority of
their fellow-citiEens in the old mountain
county are in favor of the Union.
Our regiment has been considerably
augmented by recruits from among these
loyal men who have fed from the tyranny
of the niger aristocracy. A new cOmpa-
ny, for the 10th Regiment (Col. Harrisl, is
about being organized, and will consist
entirely Of recruits from Pocahontas coun-
ty.
This is rough, wild, out of the way
place; but our boys are very we'll pleased
that they are here, near the enemy, with
some prospect of fighting before them,
however remote. It is pleasing change
from guarding railroad bridges aud COM
handing posts, where there is not enough
danger to create even occasional gratifying
excitement.
Our regiment is especially joyous, be-
cause we are under the general command
of Fremont, who has no feelings of petty
| spite for us and under the special com.
mand of Nilroy, who shows US kind regards
aRd geutlemanly attentions, which we
| have never before received from any Gen.
eral. and who, We know, will lead us to
battle whenever favorable opportunity shall
be found or can be made,
Atpresent there is, indeed, an uupleas-
ant stagnation in army movements every
where, SO far as we can hear. But, Ito use
dolefully trite figure this is but the IuII
before the storm. Presently again, we will
hear it "thunder all around the sky" and
especially in Eastern Virginia. Whenever
1t shall thunder there, then listen for re-
verberatiOns Of the sound among the noun
tains.
So far as sn early advance by our armies
is concerned, much depends, of course, on
the condition of the roads. At present
they are wretched. In fact, few things are
now brought from the railroad by wagons.
Our provisions are transported on four
wheeled, hairy carts, commonly called
mules. This saves the necessity of using
harness even brides are dispensed with
1t is said, however, that by this mode Of
transportation corn costs about two dol
lars a sushel in Huttonsville, not counting
what was originally paid for it. In fact, ii
has been calculated that the Government
would have economical money by con.
structing railroad at first, from Grafton
to HuttonsviIIe. And this calculation
leaves out collateral considerations, such
as convenience of travel, greater security
to these outposts, aud the probability thai
with such couTeniences we might have
taken possession of Monterey, not to say
Staunton, long before this time. Besides
when the Government should have beer
done using the railroad, it could have
realized a large per ceutum of original
cost by selling to company.
However, the reality is before us. We
have no railroad, but mud road, aud q
very bad one at that; of which We must
make the best that we can. Fortuuatel,
we are almost as near to Stauutou as e
Webster, and we prefer moving in the di.
rection OF the former place. We shall fiuL
the road good in that region in u few
weeks. When write again, want "a
| give you short sketches of some of til,
"notables" in this division of the army.
- FROIssART.