Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-09-15
.rhs sqFprlse at sloOrsnsId,
CAMP NEAR PETERSBURG,
September IL, 1868.

Editors InteltgeHcer
On the morning of Friday, the 5th, at
about reveille-say Al o'clock in the morn
ing-that portion OF the First West var"
GINA Vol. Iufautry in command of Major
E. w. Stephens-fve comPanies-were
surrounded by the combined forces OF I'm:
bodeu and Jones, some sixteen hundred
strong. By the judicious disposition OF
our small division-soms two hundred ana
fifty men-by our gallant young Major, ana
the determined front displayed to the enc
nv, they were deferred from making an
attack "from early morn till dewy eVe."-
Thus the cool courage, and dauntless
bravery of comparatively young man and
commander, saved our heroic band from
the impending danger that menaced them
from the vastly superior numbers OF the
insolent foe.
their mountain Eastesses, and our Major
led us to the junction, the union of the
Moorefield and Franklin pixies, distance
of II miles. We encamped at the Junction
from Saturday morning, the 4th inst, un-
til the morning of the 1lth, when, accord
ing to the orders of Col. Mulligau, we re-
turned to Moorefield, where, barely arriy-
ed, our indefatigable young Major, thinking
our camping ground unsafe in the extreme,
from its exposed position and the numer-
Gus roads and by-paths conVerging there,
at once crossed the river, and selected
spot, less exposed and, in every way more
suitable, for the camp of our small detach-
ment. Returning from his exploration, he
ordered the men TO be ready to start at an
early hour, for the purpose of clearing
road to the selected spot, pickets were
thrown out, an alarm guard stationed, and
hat.
By some uuaccountable remissness, or
some combination of fortunate circun-
stances for the enemy, at daylight, or rath-
er before, on Friday morning last, a large
detachment of Imboden's cavalry, under the
immediate command of Capt. McNiel, got
within our camp, and fred Volley after vol
ley into the tents ofour sleeping comrades.
The Major being awake, rushed down to
the door of his markee and loundly called
upon the men s'tO form into line !" 'to raj
" at the foot of the hill" as our camp was
completely in the hands of the enemy. It
was too late to rally. We were surround
ed and 'discretion Is the better part of
valor," we yielded to the successful foe
And by the flashing eyes, the grinding of
teeth, the compressed lips, lowering brows,
of the First Virginia, we saw that the
iron tooth of chagrin and the resolve of
future revenge, dire and deep, had enter
ed into the soul of the whole detachment.
Several of our boys were shot while trying
to make their escape; others were more sue.
cessful, among whom l am happy to state
was our worthy Major, who Immediately
fastened to bring re-inforcements from the
at Petersburg. These last led
by Col. Thoburn, arrived too late. Our
were already upon their way to
Richmond. Among the many valuable Of
fcers lost to the service by this surprise,
may be mentioned Capts. Craig, White and
Reed, Lieuts. Hall, Helms, Mckee and
Baird. Captains Daugherty and McElvoy,
and Lieut.. Apple have already made their
escape and returned safely to the camp at
Petersburgh. am happy to state many of
the men have, also, made good their escape.
Foot sore and weary from their wanderings
they are greatly rejoiced to arrive, even
to the shelter and protection that an ex-
posed camp can afford.
The Suffer of the regiment, d. ]. Smith,
Esq, of your city, as am informed, lost
all the goods he had in camp, his company
books, team and wagon. The loss falls
heavily upon worthy man.
had forgotten to state that, upon our
return to Moorefield, no immediate cause
of an unprecedented attack was apparent, as
all the information ELECTED from all sorts
of men-spiss, scouts and citizens-went
to prove that no enemy was in the vicinity
of the village, except Capt. Imboden and
forty men. But ne were deceived, and the
result, as far as has TRANSFERRED, is before
you.
I dare not trust myself to attempt to
give a list of the killed and wounded
The camp is full OF contradictory rumors,
each worse than the other, and each dia-
metrically opposing the other. When a
close approximation of the truth can be
arrived at, you may hear from me again.
J.F.s.