The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-04-09
NEWS FROM VIRGINIA
Famous Raiding Generals Of thu
qxs1sss South. sssF
THE GRAPEVINE TELEGRAPH
(From the N. Y. World.)
REBEL RAIDERS.

In the adjoining counties OF Shenandoah
and Rockingham 1--WE" (if ! may rst-person
pluralize myself with the natives) shave
quite smart little army" comprising the
bulk of the five thousand efficient raiders
of Northern Virginia, under the immediate
command of Early, but subject to the ulti
mate control Of General Lee. Early him
self, whose name is constantly associated
in my mind, by force of early impressions,
with those Of jackson and Ewell, lies be-
tween Staunton and the Rockingham line;
with "thin' division of infantry. limbo
den, who was formerly independent, but is
now attached to Early's Command, is at
Mount Crawford, near Gross Keys, with a
brigade of cavalry. He has the Sixty-sec-
ond infantry mounted, and Lieutenant Ool<
onel Bob White is with him-Bob White,
who has by no means fallen heir to the in
trepidity Of Ashby, or the miraculous ubiq-
uity of Blackford-Bob White, ia whose
military philosophy it is laid down that
the prime quality of q lieutenant.c olonel of
irregular cavalry is an anxious concern for
the whole skins of his "boys," and in whose
military experience it is fixed fact that
the most valuable boy in Lieutenant Colo
mel Bod Whites battalion is Lieutenant
Colonel Bod White. As for Imboden him
self, he is esteemed gallant officer, with
many fue inspirations; and the rebels say
Of him that, if he could repose as much
confidence in his men as his superiors re-
pose in him., he} would not now have to
regret his failure to perform certain spirited
exploits that were expected from him.
''7'iiA' IMBoDEN AND RossEAU
Imboden and Rosseau picket the roads
beyond Woodstock in Shenandoah, as far
north as Strawsburg, whittier occasionally
our own scouts come, from Charleston, Har
per's Ferry, and Martinsburg. Rosseau.who
is from Texas, is the rapture of the women
flowing bowl were possibility ameng them.
A superb rider and an accomplished sabreer
he joins to more than single rebels share
of good looks witching trick of coquetry,
whereby, it is said, he has put spell upon
some of the most little hearts in the valley.
He commands the old brigade-about three
regiments and battallion-of General W.
Jones, among the most efficient cavalry in
the service; splendid material, splendidly
handled, and at all times ready for the most
reckless enterprise.
Majer Gilmore is at Mount Jackson, in
Shenandoah, between Woodstock and Har
risburg, with something less than battal
ion, nearly half his original "band" being
scattered in captivity. To judge from the
activity of that which is left, however, one
IL ~ l.I 81 h.
should not exult in their bereavement. Mos
by has no regular camp except for broken
down men and horses. His plan is, on com
ing off of raid or scout, to disband, and
meet for the next at an appointed rendez-
vous. Correspondents of the northern
journals have stated from time to time that
the commands of Gilmore and Mosby are
not on the pay rolls, that "they live on
what they can take" The impression is
erroneous: they are paid like other troops;
but, as is not uncommonly the case with Of.
ficers and privates in the rebel army whose
private means enable them to indulge in 50
expensive variety of patriotism, they
sometimes serve gratuitously. Most of
Gilmore's men are from Maryland, Mosby's
from Virginia. Both rejoice in rowing com
missions to operate at pleasure, within the
enemy's lines. There is talk of consolida.
ting McNeiPs command with that of Gill
more, and of putting Gilmore, promoted to
colonelcy, at the head Of it.
THE FORCE AND THEIR BUSINESS
To one unfamiliar with the situation
in Northern Virginia, five thousand must
seem hut slender force to hold this vast,
beautiful, and precious valley; but when
one considers thu veteran training and the
valor Of these troops, the proved accom-
plishments of their officers, and the roman
ticesprtt that animates them, their familiar
acquaintance with the obscurest by.roads
and especially with the true sentiments and
temper of the people, and their living in
terest in the soil of these counties BY in
heritauce and kindred, and ell the pride of
local fame. 1t is easy to perceive that
the force is amply adequate to all the ends
in vieW and those are, by continually
threatening the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road, 70 keep Q considerable army occupied
in guarding it, whilst any raids from that
army into the valley must prove almost