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

ing numbers otthe enemy. a short time
was occupied getting our batteries and
troops in position after We we're forced
back.
In half AZ hour, however, the greybacks
came charging down the valley in our
front. Again was the LIST West Virgins
Infantry destined 10 hold "the post of hon
o." and, may add, the post Of Danger
We were stretched across an open Geld
directly in front of the charging column Of
rebels; We were hidden from the view of
the enemy by slight rise In tie ground,
so that they could not see our positionou.
til within twenty PAGES Of us. In this pc.
sitiou We lay In breathless suspense, every
trigger presSed by q steady finger, until
the grey mass were bnt one hundred yards
from rs, when the order "Charge, boys I"
rAn along the line. aud then came the
shock. We raised up aud charged for
ward. answering the enemy yell for yell,
and bullet for bullet, as far as three hum
dred and fifty men could answer three
thousand Infatuated demons incarnate.-
Our sudden dash checked the mass for an
with redoubled fury. Now came the fiual
shock, for as We fell back on line with
the balance of our infantry force, two
thousand muskets belched forth shower
of lead from our side Of the 6eld, spread.
iug death aud carnage in the rebel ranks.
Our batteries, too, moved them down in
swaths-but all was vain, for on came the
charging foe, heedlessgof the destruction
Of life and limb in their midst. Our line
was forced from it's organisation but for a
few moments, and then closed mp and fell
back slowly and In good order, defyiug the
enemy In his angry attempts to rout it.
AT Rudes hill We made q stand, and held
our position until everything had been
safely crossed over the river. At the
bridge the LIST Va. Infantry, was detained
to act in the capacity Of rear guard, and to
guard the Pioneer Corps whilst engaged in
destroying the bridge. Our work here
was finished by II O'Clock P. NJ, when we
started on the backward march down the
Valley. Atdsylight the 18th inst, we
halted ct Edtnburg to get breakfast while
the bridge over Stony Greek was being de.
stroyed, when We renewed the march and
arrived ct our present position in the even
ing Of the 18th. would not forget to
mention that on the 14th inst, Major &
". Stephens commanded our Regiment
and to bis eoolness, caution aud military
skill is owing to great extent the success
OF this days operations. In the hands oil
less capable man all would have been
lost. The Major deserves much credit fol
his conduct on the occasion Onthe morn.
ing of the 18th Lieut.. Col. Weddel arrived
and assumed. command of the battalion
and managed Il with his usual courage
and tact. Il Is useless to say that Col
Thoburu did his duty. Our color SeIgt.,
VIM. n. Ross, of Co. &C." carried the old
nag through the battle, and although the
banner is riddled aud torn with shot aud
shell, not 9 bullet touched the bearer. Al
for the other Regiments 10 the battle I can
but say they did their part like men and
soldiers, 20 the record Of casualties will
show.
The s4th Mass, formed on our right,
the 64th Penna., on our left and rear, the
12th w Va Inf, aud 123d Ohio on our
right and rear, ADD the 18th Conn.,,
served as skirmishers. All these Regis,
lost many heroes. Carlin's Wheeling Bat
terry, N. Y. Battery EWfng's, Battery, and
SnoW's Battery, each did excellent work.
The soldiers In this command are highly
pleased with the GenI. Commanding, and
all seem glad Of an opportunity. to "6ght
The soldiers in this army are not de-
moraliEed over their late defeat, as they
were not tVhiped, but overpoWered BY mum.
befs; the enemy's force being ten thousa d
or twelve thousand while the entire force
engaged on our side did not exceed four
thousand men. The officers and men
alike deserve the gratitude of the nation
for their conduct, their suffering and per.
ils In this eVentful expedition.
i