Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-01-10
BATTLE OF 9IOOREFIELD.
MooRErrRLD, Jan. 18th, 1876;

MooREFEELD, Jan. 9TH, 1868.
Editors InieAigencer:
The ll6th Regiment o. V l. commanded
by Lieut. Col. mildes, aud one section of
Keepers battery, on the moruiug Of the Sd
lust, at 8 o'clock, were attacked by Gen.
Jones with three thousand cavalry and
battery of six field pieces. Oar camp was
on an elevated piece of ground, east of
MOorefeld, with ravine between us and
the mountain in the rear, the broad valley
of the South Branch on our right flank
and the valley OF the South Fork on our
left. The enemy approached US down the
South Fork valley, driving in our picketS
and throwing his force all around US. We
poured few shells into the enemy check
ing his advance: but soon, on our left flank,
boom, boom, went the rebel cannon, fol-
lowed by the demon whistle of rebel shells.
Our fire was then directed 10 the rebel
gus, which, after few rounds, We silenced,
disabling one, as we afterwards learned.
The rebel cavalry, in increased numbers,
at this juncture of affairs, appeared in the
ravine and on the side of the mountain in
our rear, With the intention, no doubt, OF
making u concentrated dash, but the bold
ness with which the three companies of our
skirmishers met their advance, held them
in check. The enemy, by this lime had
succeeded in planting two of his guns, sup
ported by considerable body of cavalry
Immediately on our front, and opened on
US, by firing over the town of Moorefeld -
Thus we were under two fires Their shells
few thick and fast, falling and bursting in
our midst. But not a man faltered. Col
WiIdes Hnd Major Norris had placed their
small force in the most available position
for defense, and were riding, in this iron
tempest of bursting shells, from point to
point, cheering the men to stand firm to
to their posts. Lieut.. Daniels OF Keepers
battery, with one gun replied to the enc
my's guns GU our trout, planting shell after
she'll in his midst,
The rebel cavalry on our rear now made
a dash, but were driven back by the fire o f
three of our companies, under command Of
Captains Reyes, Brown, and Golden. These
three captains on our rear, aud Capt. Tea
tiers our front, who were deplOyed Hs
skirmishers, displayed the skill and cour-
age of veteran officers.
Thus matters stood in doubt, but with
the firm determination 90 our part to fight
to ;he last. The eDemy's forces were clog
ing in on every side, when, 10 in the dim
distance, in the direction of Petersburg,
the thunder of two cannon fell on our ear
The yell went up, i" It's Washburn, with
the I'D Ohio regiment, and Chalfant, with
part of CarIin's battery" Lieut.. Daniels
Daniels cried to his gunner5, ''Give it TO
them, boys, thick aud tnst!" and, III con
cert with Lieut.. Chalfnnt'S guns, silenced
the enemy on our front in ten minutes.
Washburn started out two companies of
infantry, supported by part of com
pAuy OF the Sd Virginia Cavalry, led by
Lieut.. Colonel Hunter, of the l23d Ohio
regiment, to open communication with us.
The rebelson our left, and in the front of
Washburn opened with two guns upon
Lieut.. Colonel Hunters force. at the same
time sending out a body of cavalry to meet
him. Washburn, thus ascertAining the posi-
ton of the rebel gunslon our lett,we opened
fire, and in earnest, with one of our pieces,
soon disabled both Of their guns as the
enemy have since stated. The I23d then
started across the valley for our camp
without any molestation from the enemy,
who appeared eager to make good his es-
cape. Major Morris, not content to let the
retreatiug enemy escape without parting
salute, ordered one of our pieces TO high
elevation commanding the valley OF the
South Fork road, and poured shell after
shell into the ranks of the rcireaiiug foe
This closed tue action of the day. aud
night coming on, part Of the enemy es-
capped up the South Fork Road, aud part
over the mountain west, and down through
Petersburg, stopping long enough to parole
the sick left by Washburn ut the latter
place.
All praise is due to Col. Wildes and Mai.
Morris, of the l16th Ohio, for the skill and
courage they displayed throughout the en-
tire action Gen Washburn, who march
ed to our assistance from Petersburg, II
miles distant, at the drst sound OF the can
non in the morning, has endeAred himself
to the officers aud men of the 10th regi-
ment forever. On his march here the citi
Hens represented to him that the enemy
were niue thousand strong. mine or
twenty thousand strong" replied our hero
ic General, II am going, and intend to
show the enemy tight to the bloody end"
So said the officers of the l23d Ohio. Nor
can forget to make mention of Lieutenant
Chaifant, of your city, belonging to Car
Inns Battery. He led the advance with his
two pieces of ordnance, supported by 30
mon of the Third Virginia Cavalry, on the
march from Petersburg. A truer mrn and
hero never lived.
The enemy lost a number killed and
wounded, according to his own Hckuowl.
edgemsnt to some Of the citizens. TWEEN
ty of our men, on pickle. duty, were taken
prisoners on, the morning OF the attack
Lieut.. Okey. of Woods6eld, Monroe county,
Ohio; Harrison Cochran, John Walters, a.
W. Henthorn, Robert Hathaway, A. Diem,
SAINT Luthy, of Clariugton, Monroe coun-
ty, Ohio; the remaining thirteen belong to
Athens county, Ohio. We lost, in all, one
hundred men. This number includes
those who were paroled in the hospital at
ST. Petersburg. None of our. men were
killed or wounded,
We are now reinforced, and feel ready
for the enemy. The hero of Lexington is
here. with a big supply of brass guns and
men. CHAPLAIN.