Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-01-25

Biographical Sketch OF Brig. Con. w,
H. Powell, Formerly Colonel OF tho
and West Virginia Cavalry, Known
to the Rebels as one eyed POReII"-
!. His Farewell order to HIS Com.
mand,
We have already noticed the resignation
of this gallant officer, so long an honor
to the West Virginia service, and we
have published the testimonials rendered
him not only by Gen. Sheridan, but by the
rank and file of his command on the occa.
sion of his recent leave taking. Below We
present q brief biographical sketch of him:
William b. Powell was born in South
Wales, Great Britain, on the 10th of May,
1925 WbSa 0G2y aye yesrs old Ciu March,
l530), he IVES brought to this country by
his parents, who took him to the State of
New Jersey. After remaining here one
year, his next seat of residence was for two
years in the State of Pennsylvania. He
thence, in the spring of 1888, removed to
Nashville, Tennessee, remaining until the
year l843. The spring of the same year
found him again changing his residence.
this time TO Wheeling, Virginia, where he
remained until the spring of 1858, and then
moved to Ironton, Lawrence county, Ohio,
his present home. When the rebellion
broke out heWas employed as q financial
agent and general superintendent in an
extensive iron mandatory in the State of
Ohio. This position he relinquished to
enter the United States service, in answer
to the Presidents call for volunteers, in
August, 1861. Having raised a company,
he was elected captain and assigned to the
Second CoysD Virginia cavalry. The rank
of captain be held until June 25, 1862,
when, for meritorious conduct on the field,
he was raised to msjorship. In October
following he was promoted to lieutenant
colonel. This rank he attained in conse-
quence of having charged into a rebel
esmp-Fourteenth Virginia cavalry, two
hundred strong-on Sinking creek, Green
briar county, West Virginia, Nov. &c, 1862.
This charge he made with only one COM
missioued officer and twenty men of his
own regiment, capturing III prisoners,
including two commissioned officers,
500 stand of arms and l3O horses,
equipped, His term of service as lieuten-
ant colonel expired on the 18th Of May,
1868, at which time he reached the full
rank of colonel. AS Colonel of the Second
Virginia, he commanded the same during
the raid made on Wytheville, a station on
the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, in
July, 1868. In the course of this raid, he
led charge into Wytheville, and captured
from the enemy two pieces of artillery, and,
took eighty prisoners. The charge was so
successful that the enemy was literally
routed. ,Unfortuu -tely Colonel Powell was
wounded, supposed mortally, aud left In
town, thus falling into the hands of the
enemy. he was taken to Richmond, and
it being reported among the rebels of his
having burned property and maltreated the
disloyaI people of Western VTginis, be
was closely confined, without bed or bed
ding, for thirty-seven days, and duriog
this time kept on bread and water. While
confined in this manner he succeeded in
getting letter to the rebel Major General
Sam. E. Jones. In reply to the letter Gen-
eral Jones made such representations to
the rebel authorities at Richmond as to
induce them to allow the prisoner the
privileges of prisoner of war. General
Jones commanded the rebel Department of
Southwestern Virginia, and would GER
tainly have known had there been any
| truth in the charges preferred against the
accused. The rebel Colonel Richard H.
Lee having fallen into Our hands wounded
aud prisoner, aud Colonel Powell being
anxious to again reach the field of active
service, the rebels also being anxious to
get Lee back, a special parole for thirty
| days was granted TO Colonel Powell to go
North to effect an exchange for Colonel
Lee. The exchange was effected. Colonel
Powell had been q prisoner over six months
and suffered all the indiguities and hard
ships to which it was possible for the
rebels to reduce him. On returHing with.
in the Union lines he resumed the com
mand of his regiment on the l1th Of March
following his parole and release. His reg
iment was in General Duties brigade of
General Averill's command, and engaged
lin the movement of General Hunter against
Staunton and Lyncbburg.
| On ,reaching Stanton Colonel Powell
was placed in command of the Third bri-
Ennde of the Senond CAVALRY division. Gen.