Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-10-15
Daily SnfelligeueeFI
FraA {he Mountains.
BuCKAANEoX, WEST Va,
October 8, 1868. {

EditOrs IattIltSsneer:
As have been idle for some time,-tOO
lazy to write,-I concluded this morning to
let you and your readers hear from our
.iinyincibles." Five weeks since Gen.
Averill formed all the extra companies OF
calalry into one battalion, and put them
under that iudomitable little Sprig OF hey.
stone chivAlry, Major Thomas Gibson, OF
the l4th Pennsylvania cavalry, for the Pnr'
rose OF ''drilliug and discipliuing the same,
and TO place them 90 serviceabie basis
The battalion is composed Of the Chicago
Dragons, Capt Jachne; Sd Infantry ohio
cavalry, Capt Smith, (uot John, but ErdHk);
the Kelley Laucers, Capt. Hagans, ana
Captains FIesher's, RoAne's aud Sections
companies of the Sd Virginia volunteer
cavalry, numbering near 600 men.
came over from Beverly with the bat
talliou, and have been IN town ever since,
aud nor auy other person has been able
10 tell what has become OF that battalion.
Occasionally we see one or two sprIgs oil
the old tree, but il is nor the same YET
the same force is here! Where is the old
battalion? 1t, with all its dirt, rust and
disorder, has disappeared, and by reno
waiting OF rejuvennIiug process, the Major
has changed it into One OF the best, clean
est, most orderly and test disciplined bat
,allious in the btigHde,-yrs, or III tue
department 1t new model battalion.
-Four weeks ago the Major gave notice that
on Sunday, Oct. ), he would present to the
enlisted man who had his arms, equip
ments, Sc, in the best order. pair OF ten
dolIa, spurs. The whole battalion was
competing for them, and watched the
weekly inspections closely and must say
that during my term of service in the regu'
lar army, never saw anything equal 10
the splendid condition in which tho men
kept their ,arus. Alter a minute inspec'
ton, the Major chose the best from each
company aud told them to report al head
quarters 81 one o'clock. Puuctual to the
time the men were on the ground: Then
came the ..tuG OF War" to chose the oe'f
from several PeCfsets. After taking every
article by numbers and II regular mAthe'
NAUTICAL process, it WAS decided that Capt.
John Dyer, of the Kelley Lancers, was the
fortunate man.
Oh Monday evening, at dress parade, the
Major presented the spurs, in few appro'
pirate remarks, in the presence OF the
whole battalion.
After which, the parade was dismissed
and the men returned TO their quarters,
proud of the position they hold, viz: "a
member of the little Majors battalion. -
1t is the bauner battalion Of the United
States army. -
The "Kelley LanceEs" are still ahead
They never have been, nor never will be-
exceIled in anything they set their heads
together on If there is a fight on hand
you wilt always find them ready and viii
ling. They have been engaged 10 sixteen
hard fought fought battles. such as Win
chester, Port Republic. Kelley's Ford, Wa.
rerlOO Bridge, ThoroughfSre Gap, Bull
Ron, Chautilly, Sc, not mentioning Rom
ney, Blues Gap. Ashby's Gap, and many
others OF small note, yet they have never
been known to "aicker" or bring in a false
alarm. Long may they wave.
If opportunity affords you may expect
to hear good news from this battalion, be-
cause men who take a pride in keeping
their equipments in good order can aud
WiH use them. Winter ID upon us. The
mountains are covered vita snow; there
fore l don't expect TO see much more fight.
ing done in this meek OF woode" before
Spring, but then-let the traitors trem6le
V H.