Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-09-09

fine spirit. Expect to visit tie White Sui
phur Springs, and camp near Lewisburg
at night. The writer pushed on to the
front of the regiment for time to view the
celebrated place; but 70 our great diseom-
fture, at about IL o'clock A. NJ, two miles
this side Of the Springs, on Antee Greek,
the enemy opened their artillery upon us,
calling Us to sudden halt Our forces
moved up in great haste and planted their
and terrific. Balls, shells, grape and
shot flying with fearful havoc In all di-
rections, doing their work Of death. The
whole atmosphere respunds with the roar
of artillery and musketry. Surgeons soon
establish a hospital at two private houses.
The dead and wounded are brought In as
fast as men and horses can bring them.-
| Our Surgeon, DR.. Thomas, was-busily en-
gagged with DR.. Whine in the work of
amputatiug limbs and dressing wounds
The Assistant Surgeon, d: ThayeF, was on
the field, % brave man, aiding In the
removal Of the unfortunate men TO the hos.
pital. We are prepared to say that all
the surgeons Of the different regiments
rendered all possible aid to the brave suit
fering. The battle continued TO rage fear.
fully until night threw a mantle over the
dreadful scene. For four or Eve hours l
believe there was not an intermission Of
firing Of more than two minutes Of any
one tine-Almost an incessant iire.
As near as we can Iearn the rebel force
consisted Of the 22nd, 45th, oath and 62nd
Virgins regiments; Edgar's battalion of
cavalry, and Chspman's battery of four
guns. All commanded by Col. Patten, IN
the absence Of Gen. Eckle. As to position,
the enemy had the decided advantage
They selected q position where the road
passed through deep gorge Of rocks, with
mountains on either side and fearful preci-
pices. The enemy was concealed behind
rocks, trees, logs and fences, great part
Of the time lying on their faces. Their
artillery was planted in front some 400
yards from ours. The Sd and 9th Va. u.
1. occupied the left wing. The And Va.
and 18th Pa. cavalry, Gibson's battalion,
with three companies of the Sd Va, on the
right. Onr artillery, we'll drilled and good
pluck, held a favorable position on the
main road Gen. AVerill remained near
tho batteries during the battle, directing
the movement Of the troops. Thus form
ed, the federal soldiers sent the messengers
of death among the rebels like hail stones
and fire. At one time, the rebels made
their appearance in open ground, when
our guns moved them down ct fearful
rate. Under the heavy fire they fell back,
until our guns were planted on the ground
before occupied by the enemy. Lieut.. Col.
Thompson, commanding the Sd Va regl-
rnetit, stood in the hottest of the ire, lead
ing his brave men not less than seven times
ON desperate charge upon the enemy.
They lying in ambush our men would move
upon them under every disadvantage
though thus to move was almost certain
destruction. Yet as one order would come
after another from the General, to charge
on the enemy, the Colonel, cool and brave
would again and again renew the charge.
Here more men were killed among the diff
'ferent regiments than any where else on
the field. 1t is generally conceded that ell
the regiments, fought desperately. Ohcers
and soldiers showed an unyielding purpose
to fight until the enemy was routed. As
We represent the third Virginia regiment,
we are proud to say, no brayer set of men
ever fought on battle field: Many of
them have laid down their lives on the al
ter of their country, TO defend their nations
flag. Eternal shame will palsy that tongue
that dares 70 brand them as cowards.-
The night passed. oh how solemn, silence
teipns.a How intense the anxiety ! For
already, many had left the field for want
Of ammunition. We waited for the order
to retreat. Morning came, but not 70 all
our fellow soldiers, Some We had laid In
the grave, others were on the held,
sleeping the sleep Of death. The fight is
renewed, aud continued until all the am
munition was about spent. Alto O'Clock
dispatch comes from Lieut.. Col. Polsley,
stating that the enemy was moving TO flank
our rear. The order came to fall back
This was done in good order and well con-
Quoted. We removed all that were in
condition to be removed of the wounded.
Others we're left in the care Of Assistant
Surgeon Worthington of the 14th Pennsyl-
yaniA cavalry. We marched day aud night
until we resched this place. The enemy
pursued Us for some time. We were not
whipped, but held our ground until lack
Of shooting material compelled MS TO re.
treat. If Ne had beeI supplied with ann
munition, the victory would surely have
been ours. The faut lies at some mans
door, not with the brave soldiers who were
in the fight. lam much gratilied 70 say, that
every officer Of our fegimentremained duly
sober during the entire battle. We speak
this 70 their praise. No soldier wants 70
risk his life under q drunken officer. u
Our loss, as far as we can learn is as
follows Captain Koneig Of the Generals
staff. was shot BY the enemy. he was IN
der the influence of liquor aud approached
our Colonel on the field, inquired for the
9Th Virginia, was told not 70 60 In the di-
rection he was then taking or he would
be shot. He persisted, aud fell in sight OF
several Of our men. We regret to hear
that some are disposed to implicate our
regiment In his death. This is incorrect.
We deny the imputation. The second Vir-
gfnia lost in killed, wounded aud missing
81 i; third Virginia - eighth Virginia 20i
fourteenth PenpsyIYania cavalry 80 bat
teries FL. In all over 200. Our men say
this was the severest and hottest battle
they have been in during the war.
LIST OF KILLED AND wOUNDED IL THB 5RD
VIRGINIA REsIMENT AT THE BATTLE OF
wHTFBsULPRUR SPRINGS. g-.s :.