Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-05-23

on the fourth page Of this paper.
PR1vArB and public adyiess so far re-
ceiyed from those who participated in the
battle at New Market, leaves but little
doubt that Gen, Sigsl made q miserable
faseo of the whole affair. The government
is evidently of this opinion, IS is indicated
by the summary way 10 which the Major
General has been disposed OF and an other
commander installed In his place.
Those persons who were so indefatigabls
for the removal of Gen. Kelly, and who
prophssieds 90 exsravagantly sS TO what Gen.
sigel would do, must now realize that
while it is one of the easiest things in the
world to change commanders in 9 depart.
msut, it is quite an other thing to improve
them by SO doing.
We have reason to believe that Geul.
Sigel was sent to this department because
worry little was expected from him, aud be.
cause it was supposed at Washington that
his assignment to some command or other
would strengthen the war element among
the Germans. II such was the policy in
his appointment it has turned out poorly
enough. We do not presume that intelli-
gent aud patriotic Germans pin their at.
tschuent to The. Union to the personal for
tuues Of SiEeI OF any other man. If they
do the Union cause has very little to ex-
pect from them in these day of personal
ups and downs. /
Gen Sigel has been a costly parsonage
to this country. The administration has
been clamored into at least tive trials OF
him 10 Major Generals command, aud be
has sigually failed in both cases. He may
be q good man IN limited artillery COM
maud, but it is notorious that 10 military
circles 81 Washington Gen. sigel ia con,
sidered humbug.
Whatever may be his merits, however,
it is manifest that repeated failure hes de-.
stroyed his prestige and consequent use-
fulneas, aud We hope that the admiuistra-
tlou will diScreetly hang him up to dry
along with Mcclellan. Fremont 4 Co.
Let us haYe no more political appointments
In this war. Thousands OF lives and mill
lions of treasure have been sacrificed
already to such appointments. The crisis
now upon Us Is too imminent 10 its nature
to admit Of any politics whatever.
Letter from the First West virEInIa
Reg't-.InterestinE Details OF the
Battle az New Market.
CANP lsF W. Va. VHT Vol. IrP.,O
CBDAR CRERK, Va, May ID, '6&.
Editors Latslligeaeer:
Thinking that our friends, and sweet-
hearts, at home would like TO hear from the
absent ones in the army, / take the privi-
lege Of sending few lines for their peru.
sal, hoping that you may 6ud room for
them in your excellent paper.
You are all aware that We left the rail.
road In our rear some time since, and took
the line Of march up the "VaIley of Viz.
gtniA." We arrived at Winchester in tne
season where We disposed Of all surplus
baggage, and prepared for active opera
tons. We left Winchester on Monday
morning, the 9th inst, since which time
We have been almost constantly on the
march.
AtWoodstock We had few days resi-:
but on last Saturday, the l4Ih inst, the LEI
W. Va. Infantry aud two other regiments
with few cavalry and four pieces Of artil.
terry started on forced march from Wood.
stock, moving south on the Stanton pike
We got along very we'll until our advance
OF cavalry arrived at Rude's hill where q
slight skirmish ensued between city Yauks
and one hundred rebs, in which the latter
were defeated, and our boys left In posses
sion of the hill commanding. the bridge
across the Shenandoah river.
Nothing else occurred until We arrived
at the bill one mile north of New Market
where the enemy three thousand strong
under command of Gen. Imboden, were
posted 10 good position, and opened on
us with four pieces of artillery. Shows
Maryland Battery, with the lst West Viz.
ginta Infantry for support, was put in posi-.
ton and returned the enemy's fire for one
hour and bali, when the "Johnuies" pull
ed OF. Our regiment was immediately sent
forward. to occupy the position lately held
~ the enemy. We arrived after dark 10
the midst Of severe shower of rain, aud I
assure you the prospect before rs was dark
and gloomy enough. Major E. ". Stephens.
proceeded forthwith to post picketo Ia our
front, which bad gone but two hundred
yards from our camp. when they were halted
and hred upon by line Of rebel cavalry
sktrmtshers, and after some resistance were
driven back to our lines. In few minutes
the rebel line Of infantry was seen coming
slowly and cautiously toward rs. but We
were ready for them every man clntehtnR
his ride, determined to drive the bastard
foe. Yet on they came until within sixty
yards Of our front, when the gallant yeter.
ans of the lst raised on their knees, and
poured deadly volley- into the dark line
Just before themj an answering ,yolley
from the enemy WAS followed BY an order
from the Mejor, '.Jdrt by JfEs, hold Eow," and
euen hre as Was poured ont from our
muskets was irresistible aud the enemy
broke to the rear. Again were our pickets
sent ont, and again driven back to the line:
followed By the rebel infantry, and again
were We forced 70 drive them back, thi5
time, folloNfnR than thrnnnh- az 1917.