Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-01-09
From Greenland, Hardy County, Va.
f.0rr,.r .,,. T.. 1o,o

From Greenland, Hardy County, Va.
GREENLAND, Jan. 5, 1862
Editors Of Intelligcneer:
write to give you correct statement
of tue little battle ut Greenland, as have
noticed statements in your paper on differ
ent occasions, briefly referring to it, lin
company with FIVE other men of Captain
Reeses company, left New Creek station on
Saturday morning on n scouting expedi-
tion, and reached Greenland ere nightfall, a
distance of tweuty-onc miles. Nothing
occurring worthy Of nOte until we arrived
Mt the latter point, we stopped forthe night,
there being company of the 9TH Virginia
regiment, stationed here, who have for
long time been n terror to .he secesh in
this region until recently, the measeIs hav-
ing broke out among them, which disease
prevailed to such an extent as to disable
all but twenty who were fit for duty. The
rebels having learned this determined to
strike blow at this critical juncture, and did
on Sunday morning at dawn of day. Their
forces consisted of u full company Of infhu.
try and fifty of the Rockbridge cavalry,
their infantry having succeeded in getting
beyond the line of the pickets undiscovered,
when the cavalry dashed up the road at the
southwest end of the town from the direc-
tiOn Of Petersburg. AT such a time ordi-
nary men would have considered resistance
fruitIpss; but the little Spartan band as it
were, formed into line and opened fire up
on them, our party joining in the contest
dHterming to sell our lives MS dearly as
possible. The rebels seemed snre of VIC
tory. After the FIRST FIRE they set up yell
Of triumph, bnt after few well aimed fires
we succeeded in turning their shouts ofjoy
into stern command. The FIRE was kept up
briskly on both sides and for a time we
thought We were doomed, but the infant
try al last gave way, and then followed
the cavalry. They rctreNted precipitate-
ly, leaving four dead upon the field but
succeeded in carrying of their wound
ed. We have since learned that there were
fifteen mustered out of service;v (Which
phrase is commonly used by both parties,
when soldier is sent to bis long home)-
There were none of our men injured, as
they were fortified portion Of the time in
leg church. We pursued them about
three miles but they were so swift of foot
that they succeeded in making their escape.
Thus party of only twenty-six men re-.
pulsed the attack of one hundred and fifty
COntederates well armed and equipped with
considerable loss of life on their side.
The more fGlly TO illustrate the character
of these rebels l cannot refraiR from tel
ling you of their intentions If they had
succeeded, in regard to the sick. When
asked, they answered that they intended 10
knock them on the bead with the butts of
their muSkets, which orders we have learn.
ell from reliable authority, was given them
by their commander. Thus by our con-
duct we saved our sick comrades from
horrible death, aud saved the rebels OF nm
act of barbarism that would have been a
lasting disgrace, longer to be remembered
than the barbarism AZ Guyandotte. Since,
however. We have been reinforced by troops
from New Greek and Grafton, there were
four of us in company started out on FRI
day evening last, for the purpose Of ascer-
tanning the number of troops stationed at
Moorfeld. We had not proceeded more
than i've miles until we came in contact
with party of seeegh who gave us chase
and followed rs until o'clock the next
morning, they having got in the rear of
usr We had to takes Wester1 direction, con-
trSfy TO camp. We travelled until the next
mOrnlHg, being h0tly pursued until within
] about half q mile Of camp.