Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-01-01
A better from our wheeling hoyS in
the Valley of Virginia.
WINCHESTER, Dec. ~, 1852.

A better from our Wheeling hoys in
the Valley of Virginia.
WMcHBsTER, Dec ~, 1862.
Editors Lntsligmcv;
Since the 18th inst, the 18th Virginia
has left its tracks on good deal Of secesh
mud, We started 3rOm New Creek and
passed along the South Branch of the Pc.
tomac, through Burlington and Petersburg
to MOoretield. THIS last, the county seat
OF Hardy, is a very pretty town, but most
abominably devoted 10 the contederates.-
We have rejoined our brigade, Gen. Clus-
erees, from which we had been temporarily
detached After two days rest, volunteers
were called for TO form an expedition into
Dixie. Nearly all our able. bodied stepped
out The several detachments OF the 18th,
9th aud 10th Virginia and Keefers Virginia
Battery, with part Of the S7th PennsylVa-
MIA and ll0lh Ohio, started on the 9th, in
light marching order, Que wagon to regi-
ment, for provisions Rather slim pros
pect for comfort in December. We BIZ
vouaced that night, after 81 miles march,
on "R bald point Of o mountain, where fire
freezes and turkeys chew tObaccer,' in the
classic language Of AID Lindsey, our hos
pital cook. Next Gay we made Capon
Springs, and for the first time the whole re.
giment put up at the same hotel. This
house is grand affair, capable of accom-
uodatiug, in sumptuous style, 700 guests.
Our tired boys enjoyed such a refuge from
the nipping air as only a soldier can, luxu-
Rating on the forsnken mattresses.
Before arriving here we captured two OF
the seccGh cavalry, a Lieutenant and pri-
vate. Next morning our energetic General
started US at two a. NJ. over the mountains
to Strasburg in Shenandoah county. On
Sunday night we camped ut this place,
leaving again at } A. NJ. This feature OF
our Generals marching programme, j. q.
as Surgeon Bryan the jolly and popular
phrases it 'getting up in the middle of the
night to chew victuAls and Skedaddle" is u
trial to the flesh Just after daylight we
ngain encamped at Middletown on the VAL
lev Pike, 10 this fertile, aud once Eden like,
but now dcsolated and Impoverished VAL
ley of Virginia. Some skirmishing occur
Ted this morning, resulting in the 9th Va.
and cavalry bugged some 20 or 80 "pris. -
One chap with Z. S. in large letters on his
cartridge box belt.plate attracted consider
able attention by renson Of stomach of
rather aldermauic proportions. From the
location Of the letters aforesaid one of the
boys Yankee.like inquired whether they
stood for Commssary Stores? Among the
squad turned up quuudam acquaintance,
Pat MahOney, gentleman of very hand
some phiz, whose finely carved mouth was
used to excite the undivided admiration of
ull parties when he swept out 1T A. G.
Good L Co.'S. in Wheeling Pat fought with
his Irish up before he was taken. He soap.
ped revolver in spite Of at least five or six
cavalry shooting at him at close quarters.
But the pistol would not 60 so he WAS
Gagged Last Wednesday we came on to the
now historic Winchester We passed over
the scene Of Banks defeat aud Shields
victory, and were shown the spot where the
General was wounded. In the meanwhile
down come the rebels in force and Christ.
mas Eve commenced demonstrating our
rear. Christmas morning at day found the
18th esConced behind stone fence waiting
for the CLivalry, while the battery aud 9th.
er regiments were taking position in line
Of-battle as the General directed. 1t is un.
derstood that General Jones commands the
rebels and that they have fallen back so
the Twelfth is waiting to get behind the
stone-fence. Without tents ora change of
clothing for now nearly Two weeks, and
plenty Of forced marches, yet we have only
two sick here. This Gen. jones am inform
ed is a brother Of Corporal Hiram Jones Of
Co. F, the Fairmout company. Yesterday
morning train came ia tor US with proVis-
ions from Moorefeld, with IL gGardo some Of
the s7lh Pennsylvania aud 10th Virginia
boys and about 100 OF our regiment
They had scrimmage at Whrdrnsv lie:
lmbOden's cavalry, iOrce not ascertained,
sent in flag OF truce, demanding the sur-
render Of the train. Our boys fired one
Yolley aud charged hAyouets with u YELL
The rebels went OF heller. elter, losing
one killed aud five wounded. The 10th
Virginia had wounded, our whole loss.
Winchester is quiet. have heard Of
but one breach Of pence since coming here,
4 lady ~ spat in the face of soldier of
the STth Pennsylvania, he Immediately ad-
ministercd to the fair mouth, bligering
slap. Of course Winchester has been often
described. One feature of its population
heard SO forcibly put in q dialogue be-
tween II soldier and citizen, that relate it.
Soldier says why in this town can hard.
~ tell the negroes from the ctizons.'-
The reply WAS, ooh our Southern whites
nrc not SO black, you cannot tell that
"No,' says our boy, "the whites amt so
black, but the blacks are so white G.
SoLDIREs:-It is but few days since,