Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-08-17
From tho First West Va. Cavalry
CAMP lsT W. VA. VET. CAVALRY, !
NEAR HANCOCK, Md, Aug. II, '64, Z

MEAN hANOOOAi uAN'J aug III Ot' J
Editors Intelligencer:
We have but recently returned from a
raid to Moorefeld, Hardy county Va; or in
other words, returned from pursuing the
| rebels under McCauslaud and Bradley
johnson. We had followed them almost
within striking distance, for more than a
week, and were ever ready to take revenge
for the burning of Chambersburg, Pa. Yet
our esteemed General held US back for q
cause now clearly exhibited to the salts
faction of every man in the command.
Some of the boys almost lost confidence
in our leader who had been a protector
in many other more trying dificulties.-
Yet we remembered that we were not
posted, and that General Averill knew
his own plans which in former days
had proved victorious. But ere the
spark of faith was extingushed, and
even before the dawn of day on the morn
ing of the 9th instant, he showed us the
enemy in such an easy and flattering posi-
ton that each man was like a new born
soul again. Our General received loud ap-
plause, while his encouraging words were
''push them briskly as they hy."
After crossing the South Branch of the
Potomac, the Sd West Virginia cavalry was
in the advance, Major Conger leading the
charge until he was killed, then the LIST
West Virginia cavalry came up in support,
apd in crossing some fences the boys were
necessarily in squads, some under command
of Lieutenant, while others were doing
good service on their own hook and did
not WaVer, although they could have easily
played old soldier, but there was a deeper
prompting that gave them courage to push
on,
AS a soldier how often do We see deeds
| performed by men in low position. We
| do not mean to say that a private is in
| ferior to his officer, but the honor that is
| Justly due the former is too often given to
the latter. AS veterans experience in this
| war we never saw men so resolute; each
man fought as though the events of the
day rested entirely on his personal efforts
to gain the day, and many are left to with
er 10 the shades of oblivion whose deeds
would brighten the pages of history,
deeds that any nation might well boast
of; for example, Monroe Finn, private,
Company E, First West Virginia Cav.
airy, while in advance, going through
the town of More6eld was complete
ly cut off from our men and to
escape played off the "Johnnie" until a
shrewd voice called out, "Where do you
belong sir" here came the bitter change to
come under a rebel. Finn asked the same
question and at the same time jerked the
rebels gun and broke it against the pave.
ment, and marched him off quietly without
being suspected until almost within our
lines, when he was detected by a motion
given by the prisoner, when in an instant
he was in turn captured and his revolver
given to the rebel to guard him, and at this
/ critical moment our men came up on q
charge and Finn took advantage of the
movement, grabbed his cRptor's arms and
again got possession of his revolver and i'm
mediately fred, but being 80 near and
under the excitement missed his aim
the first shot but the second
took effect and he was again master
of his asssilants. This is only an ex-
ample. Many are the hidden deeds of our
soldiers in this war. The only reward
they ask is give US an honored nation a
country free from the scourges of aristo-
cratic tyranny, happy homes, and.the voice
of the people to select President indie
pendent of sectional rights.
Yours truly, L. X. HoLLRNBAcK.
! Co. F, 1st W. V. Vet. Cavity.