Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-01-09
Reviey, of the past.
WrsoHEsFER, jan $, 1868.

WTsoHRsTER, Jan $, 1868. j..
Editors Lnteltfgenetr: -
Again the slow and silent of tims
nave made their annual round. Iii At
!lme 70 review the past. The year that has
Just closed, with respect to the history. of
this couctry, has been a most eyentful one.
Leaving the historian ito collect and ar.
range, ln,thetr proper order, the events of
eoe past, shall notice few facts connect.
60 Win our brief career as soldiers, which
may interest our friends in West Virginia.
Foremost among those who responded, to
the can OF the President, made July 10th,
loF SUO,OoO volunteers, were those who
n l', compose the 18th Virginia regiment.
ana now on looking back over the past
nNe months OF our htstoryas soldiers in the
se i, Oh our country, although it has not
LsNea 70 our lot to meet the enemy upon
the battle. Geld, yet we have performed
many rapid and fatigueing marches.
Our regiment having been separated
several times, and arriving at the same
place oy different routes. am not able to
state exactly sthe distance marched by
all out the greater part have marched 500
miles on foot, aud Travelled by railroad over
200 miles. The marching was accom-.
pltshed in 80 days. The greatest distance
marched IN one day was "a miles. These
rapid marches and an entire change OF
life, have not been without their cores
P9nainR effects. Many, and even those
among the more robust, have been pros
tratea upon beds of sickness, and some
have been consigned to the "nnrrow
house appointed for all living"
The number of deaths in the regiment.
up to this time, is nineteen, and the mum.
Der sick in hospitals aud at home, about
!. Two hundred. The weather, for the most
par, has been very pleasant, the roads dry
and solid as in midsummer, and, indeed,
everything has been exceedingly favorable
for an active campaign.
The repulse Of our army at Fredericks.
burg cast gloom over us, as / suppose it
DID over you, and some were ready to de-
spond, but already the skies begin to bright
en-, aud the new year opens with new hopes
ana bright prospects. Not the least among
which are the formation of the new State
OF West Virginia, and the prospect that
before the close of another year the cor
ner stone of the Southern Confederacy-
American slavery-will be in process of
dissolution. | am strengthened in nv be-
lief that such will be the result, from the
fact that the President has signed the bill
Tor the former, aud reiterated his procla-
nation OF September 22d, and designated
the States and parts of States upon which
1t is to operate. May this baptism OF
blood, through which we are passing, have
tendency to purify and elevate us to the
most honorable position among the nations
of the earth -.
A part OF our regiment reached here. via
Strasburg, on the Oath ultimo, and the re-
matnderI via Romney, on New Years day.
A rather exciting occurrence happened on.
tho road between Moorfield and Rompev.
ABOUT SIX miles from the former place, as q
supply train was passing, about fifty rebel
cavalry dashed down upon it and captured
torty-nine horses and harness, thirteen
WagOners, aud three or four soldiers. There
were no guards near the wagons, and the
attack Was made so suddenly that it was
impossible for the wngoners to escaDe.
Gen. Aiiroy was sent for, and soon appear
ed. Oarlin's battery vas ordered to shell
the woods, scouts were sent out, but all TO
no purposei the rebels escaped with all
their booty. The horses belong to citi.
gems of Taylor and Aonongalia county, Va.
and Fayette county, Pa.
new Years Day was one of the loTeIiest
OIL the season. Strange contrast with the
scenes aroundl The streets Of Winchester
were not thronged by the gay and fashion
aolei the shops did not display the inviting
ana attractive gifts usually seen on such a
day. All is quiet, not shop or store is
open, desolation and ruin are apparent in
every direction. 0ue thing struck me most
forcibly, and that WAS, the large proDor.
ton of ladies dressed in mourning. The
words OF the poet Burns, came toroibly TO
mind, ~
Mans inhumanty to Uuan,
hAGeS countless thousands mourn"