Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-12-12

g - Ok III II S Nysi u Sd. ils.a.l
From the seventh West YiFsIhIa.
CAMP sEAR BRASDy STATION,
Culpeppsr Cos. Va, Dec. Sd, ,e3.
Editors Intelligeneer
AS some OF your readers are interested
in all that pertains to the 9Th Virginia
regiment, thrust you will give the follow.
ing communication an early insertion IN
your paper On the 26th iof N november We
received marching orders, and early 10 the
morning were marching towards GermaniA
Ford, 90 the RapidanfRnd lnthe afternoon
crossed il without ooy opposition, and
moved forward on the plank road leading
to Fredericksburg about fourtor i've miles,
where we camped fer the night.
Next, morning early We were again on
the road, and soon left the plank road Tor
the pike leading to Orange Q. p. On
reaching the pike We found tue enemy's
advance cavalry skirmishing with ours, the
latter driving the euemy's skirmishers
handsomely for two or three miles, when
we discovered the enemy in force about
three. fourths of mile from Robipson'a
Gross Roads, towards Orange Oh. fEss
The enemy's position was a strong one,
and well calculated TO conceal their
strength. To ascertain their strength was
the object of the first movement on our
part Our brigade, the first. Of the third
division. being in advance and formed IN
line of battle, was ordered 70 sena Two Two
regiments forward as skirmishets to feel
the enemy and dislodge them. The reg1.
ments chosen we're the 18th Virginia, under
command of Lieut.. Col. Lockwood, and
the 9Th Ohio under command OF Lieut..
Col. SAWYER 1t was now about 10 a. N. !.
the morning was very cold, and the men
had marched pretty nearly az double quick
from the time We started, with but one
short rest, to this time. The day was now
pleasant and the scenery beautiful for the
season ofthe year, aud SO peaceful appear
ed all around, that it was hard to realize
that soon the work of death would COM
mence, and that our regiment should sut-
fer SO severely.
Company A of our regiment under COM
mand of Lieutenant RaVenscratt, and one
company of the 9th Ohio, were sent in adj
vance and soon engaged the enemy skiru1-
ishsrs, driving them before them. Later in
the day both the above regiments were
ordered to advance, the 9th Ohio TO the
right of the pike, our regiment to the left,
where the enemy we're most in force pro
tected by a fence and a small grove of
thickly set young timber. The advance of
our regiment was watched with great anx-
iety by thousands of spectators, all the
Generaloficers of our corps, and i've Brit
ish officers of high rank in the British
service. Our boys advanced steadily and
untlinchingly under a CALLING FIRE led by
our brave and veteran Colonel. Soon the
enemy were driven from ridge held by |
them back about hundred yards upon
their reserves, and soon the 18th Virginia
was in deadly conflict with the Goth Georrll
Ria, 456 strong under MajorJ ones, and
part of the 9th North Carolina regiment,
A spirited conflict ensued between the two |
forces resulting in the complete route of |
the enemy, killing and wonndfng many of
them and capturing some persons. whilst
our boys thus enganged the enemy in front,
Col, Sawyer and the 9Th Ohio were nobly
protecting our rights against the attacks of
the enemy. We occupied the ground held
by the enemy although greatly annoyed by
the enemy's sharp shooters, until relieved
after night by the 14th Indiana regiment,
when the enemy fell back about mile and
a half within their breastworks.
am sorry to say that this skirmish, so
creditable to our regiment, and adding an
other to the many laurels won by them,
Two of our brave boys were killed, andq
twenty-si1 wounded, some severely If not
mortality. Col. Lockwood had another
narrow escape in this skirmish, q ball pass
ing through his clothes, taking off a but
ton from his coat. / cannot say too much |
for the bravery and courage OF Col. Lock.
wood. He has been with the regiment in
all its battles, has fought mantully by the
side of the men, and has always led them
to victory. He has been in the service
upwards of two years, and yet is only a
Lieutenant Colonel. when at least he ought |
to be Brigadier General. trust our
congressman will see to it that star is
speedily placed upon his shoulder: He
deserves it, and has won it by hard SER
vice.
OF the officers and men, also feel bound
to say something in their praise. They |
fight we'll, as their record proves. They |
have moi faltered in the day Of battle, and |
at Robinsonson's Cross Roads, in my hum
than anywhere else. Here there was not |
the excitement of a great battle, but eoolly
and deliberately these $50 men rnarchedto
almost destruction. Scarcely man has |
escaped without some evidence of being in |
the struggle; caps, haversaeks, blouses,
knapsacks, &C., bear witness of the con.
flict. a list of the killed and wounded arc
given below. Among the many brave boyssl
wounded / would mention Lieut.. Brown
and serg't Maj. Strickland, both young
aud brave. ] trust they will recover of
eonntrv many wears. U : 5l5iasltl a,tisiitI
In conclusion I3beg to say that the gen
eral officers looking on, also the English
officers. said that the charge made by our
boys was we'll done, and that they dessryed
great credit for what they had accom-.
plished. Our regiment suffered more se-
verely that any in our corps, aud is one
that West Virginia may be proud of. ! a
Yours trnly, SAMUEL STEELE,
fths ". Va. Vol. Infantry, Il
lst Brigade, Sd Division, I'D Corps. |
West Virginia, Greene Co., Pa, Monroe
Co., Ohio, papers please copy. asht
..