The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-05-05
TIE WEST VIRGINIA CAMPAIGN.

VALLEY MT, Sept. ~, lcoi'
Ny DEAR GOVERNOR Il received
YOUR very kind note Of the 5th inst, 81
| was about to accompany Genera
Loriug's command on an expedition tc
the enemy's works in front, or woulc
have before thanked you Tor the inter
est YOU take in my welfare and your
100 hsttering expressions OF my ability
Indeed you overrste me much, and
feel humbled when weigh myself by
your standard.
am, however, very grateful for your
confidence, and l Can answer for my
sincerity in the earnest endesvors
make 10 advance the cause | have &C
much at heart, though conscious OF the
slow progress / make.
| was very sapguins OF tahiss the
enemy's works on last Thursday morn
| had considered the subject we'll.
With great effort the troops intended
tor the surprise had reached their des
tinatiou, having trsversed twenty miles
Of steep, rugged mountain paths, and
the last day through terrible storm,
which lasted all night, and in which
they had to stand drenched to the skin
10 cold rain. Still their spirits were
,ood and when morn broke ! could
see the epemv's tents on Valley river,
at their post on The Huttonsville road,
lust below me. 1t was tempting
sight. We waited tor the attack on
Cheat Mountain, which was to be the
signal. Till l0A. n the men were
cleaning their unservicesble arms But
the signal did not come. All chance
for surprise was gone Their pro-
Visions had been destroyed the preced-
ing day by the storm. They had bad
nothing to eat that morn, could not
hold out another day, and were obliged
to be Withdrawn. The attack to come
off from the east side tailed from the
difficulties 10 the way, the opportunity
was lost, and our plans discovered.
1t is q grievous disappointment 10 me,
l assure you But for the rain storm
| have no doubt it would have succeeded
This, Governor, 10 tor your own eye.
Please do not speak Of it We must
try again.
Our greatest lose is the death Of my
dear friend Col. Washington He and
nv son were recon noiteriug the front ot
the enemy They came unawsrss upon
q concealed party, who fred upon them
within 20 yards, and the Col fell,
pierced by three balls. Ny sons horse
received three shots, but be escaped on
the Colopels horse.
His zeal for the cause TO which be
had devoted hirnsslt, carried him, ] fear
100 far.
We took some 10 prisoners, and kill
ed some Is or 80 o. the enemy. Oul
loss wss small, beside what ] have
mentioned.
Our great difficulty is the roads. II
has been raining 10 these mou ntaini
about six weeks. 1t 10 impossible tc
get along It 10 that which has par
aly zed all our efforts.
With sincere thanks for your vel
wishes, I am, very truly you're.
3 z LEE.
His E1cellsncy Gov. JOIN LEroHBR
GEN. LBE's soLlcIruDB FOR soLDlER'l
yANTLIEs IN plsTRssa
HRADouARrERs 4. N. ", Nov Q, '63.
His Exe.leucy John Lstcbsr, Cover
nor OF Virginia:
GoygRxoR-Ati its late called session
the Legislature made an appropriation
tor the relief OF the families OF soldiers
7 fud that there is great SUFFERING
among the families in this region fo
the want OF the necessaries Of life. Th,
farms sud gardens have been robbed
stock and hogs killed, and these out
RACES oom mitted, ! an sorry to say, b,
our own army to some extent, e. vel
as by the Federsls. hear OF like desti
tuition In Stafford. where the Federal al
nv alone has been. Woul1 1t not b
we'll to forward such supplies Of hou
and meat ss can be obtained to Cul
pepper Court House and Fredericks
burg. With sgents for its distribution
to those soldiers families in distress, 9.
as to relieve their wants during tn
coming winterf
Very respectfully your obi't servan,
3 E. LEE, General.
foNIwALL JACKSON.