The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-07-12

us day or two since with the request
that we publish IT. The engagement to
which ii relates has been detailed in
our columns by other correspondents,
but this account was written by one
who has been confined 10 his bed for
wears by wounds received in the rebel
lion. Time wears away slowly with
him. To relieve the tedium OF his pro-
tracted confinement he sketches off
some OF the scenes through which he
passed while in the army.
Blues Gap is situated on the direct
road from Romney, Hampshire county
to Winchester. 1t is position posses
sing few natural advantages, though
tenable by large force only, as the
hills on either side are easily accessible
and once in possession of an enemy,
the Gap is no longer comforta-
BILE. During the occupation of Romney
in the winter OF 1861 by the forces OF
Gen. Kelley, scouts brought in word Of
the occupancy of the Gap by force Of
Rebel militia. 1t soon became evident
from the general tone of affairs that
these gentlemen were not to be permit
ted to remain unmolested in their rural
retreat, and on the evening ofthe 7th OF
January, orders were issued to the Fifth
Ohio, Fourteenth Indiana and First
Virginia Infantry, Daum's Battery and
a detachment of Cavalry, to be in readi-
ness to move with one days rations.
Near midnight we entered upon what
proved an arduous task, as snow had
fallen lightly during the day render
ing the walking very difficult, and our
progress was further retarded by fire.
q4ent stoppages OF the artillery, eaus-
ed by the roughness OF the road. Their
pickets who were costly seated around
large fire in log cabin, were surpris.
cd and captured without noise or resis-
lance, and at sunrise we were upon
the "Johnnies" without q note OF
warning. As the Gap came in view
our plan OF attack was quickly devel-
derinR the stronghold on the right, the
Fourteenth simultaneously ascending
the hill on the left, while fast and fu-
riously the artillerists sent the scream.
ing shell entirely through the Gap-the
objective point being the defences of
the enemy, which consisted of three
field pieces in breastWorks on an eleYa.
ted plateau, fully commanding the en-
trance to the Gap. AS soon as the ring
OF the rifles came down, the artillery
WAS silenced, and the First ordered to
charge home. With a wild cheer our
boys sprang forward, and were almost
upon the enemy's defences, when we
were ordered to scale the hill on our
left. This was indeed discouraging, as
the men were ALMOST exhausted by the
laborious marchingS aud the hills in
the Gap rose almost perpendlcularly.
Yet the attempt was calamity made,
and we were slowly progressing when
we were ordered down. Down we
came, and had advanced a few PAGES
when we were again commanded to
take the hill. Again we stroVe to exc
cute the order, but were hardly in mo-
ton when an excited staff officer came
rushing up, shouting descend! de-
scend! There is legion of masked bat
teries on the crestl'' For q moment all
was confusion; the repeated ordering
and cOunLermanding had SO annoyed
obey further orders, as they we're
likely to be changed before exc
cuted. Order was restored by Captain
Weddel calling at the top OF his lungs,
follow me, boys, and never mind that
jayhawker." Following our Captain
(the Colonel being far ahead in hot pur-
suit, we succeeded in getting inside at
last. Everything was in glorious
confusion; men running excitedly
hither and thither, seeking for some
thing 10 shoot at, while nothing was to
be seen OF the terrified millsh save a
few cont tails disappearing over the
adjacent elevations and up the neigh
said to vanish in the days of Queen
Nab, in the merry Olden time. They
had been very costly situated, the OFF,
GERS being quartered in large mill and
in wall tents, while the men had con-
structed wigwams of bark against the
trees, and all seemed to be living quite
comfortably. They evidently ex pected
to stay all winter, but they reckoned
without their host. Within the officers
quarters were apples, butter, venison
and-whisky. They departed so hurs
riedly that they left their clothing, arms
and personal property just where they
hung or lay. In one place the "short
cake" was still baking, and tine coffee
still boiling on the Goals, just
AS The abscOnded cookey had left them.
BILE WAS burning, great amount OF
camp equipage being destroyed. 1t was
quite amusing TO see 4 high private
stalking about wearing an oticer's coat,
with a sword strapped to his side-nn
officer for the time at least. There were
TWO dwellings within the Gap, one a
handsome frame, the other an humble
log cabin; both the property OF the Blue
family. These were also fired and de.
stroyed, an act OF wanton cruelty,
caused by the destructive excitement
aroused among the soldiery. The nett
fruits of the expedition were, several OF
the rebs killed, fifteen or twenty captur-
ed, two six pound iron field pieces that
have since done good service In our
professions and proclaiming the tri-
umph OF truth and progress. There
would have been more of the enemy
captnred had not the cavalry taken the
wrong road in pursuit.