From Greenbrier River.
Severe weather : continued Depredations from the Yankees--hardships endured.
[correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
November 22, 1861
Camp at Greenbrier River, November 15, 1861.
The mercury stands here at a figure considerably below what it does in your city; for even now, while no doubt you are enjoying pleasant weather, a most tremendous snow storm is going on, and if it continues until morning at this rate, we shall have snow 12 inches deep.
We have had no general engagement since the 3d of October; but the enemy, who are reported at from three to four thousand strong on the top of Cheat Mountain, continue to send down parties of from 500 to 700 strong to fire on our pickets and to plunder the country. They sent down such a party on the night of the 2d, to burn a house occupied by our "grand guard," but our picket fired into them, killing eight and taking one of them prisoner, and they ran precipitately back.--Small parties come down every day or so, and "take it out" in firing at a distance at our sentinels, and cursing them.
The whole command is in good health, and seem to bear their duty cheerfully. I think that this regiment, having endured more hardships than any in the North western Army, should be entitled to be ordered back, and some other regiment which has not endured so much hardship, nor been in as many engagements, ordered to take this position during the winter. We are willing to be ordered to any other line, and if this reward for services rendered is awarded, the men will re-enlist in less than a month after they have been mustered out. More anon.
Regulus.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: November 1861