Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood
December 3, 1862

HEADQUARTERS, New Creek, Va.,
December 14, 1862.

In accordance with your order, I proceeded to Moorefield, by way of Greenland Gap, with detachments of 20 men from the old Ringgold Cavalry and the same number from Captains Work's, Young's, Barr's, and Mitchener's companies, making, in all, 100 men, with the mountain howitzer. At 4 p.m. we were on the march. After we had proceeded 8 miles on our way, we were joined by Captain Rowand, with his company of the First Virginia Cavalry. We reached the Widow Solomon's, on Patterson's Creek, at 7 a.m., where we stopped to feed and take breakfast. At 8 o'clock we were again on the march for Moorefield, about 14 miles distant. We had reliable information that the town was occupied by two companies of cavalry, under command of McDonald and Kuykendall. When we came in sight of the town, a charge was ordered. The men behaved gallantly. The rebels were dispersed in all directions.

We killed 2, wounded a number, and captured 10 prisoners and 12 horses. The only loss we sustained was 12 horses killed.

Among the prisoners is the celebrated Ed. [H.] McDonald, captain of one of the companies.

H. A. MYERS, First Lieutenant, Comdg. Detachment of Ringgold Battalion.

Capt. JOHN KEYS,
Chief of Cavalry, Railroad Division.

P. S. - We started from camp December 2, at 4 p.m., and returned December 4, at 3 a.m., having traveled a distance of 95 miles in thirty-four hours, including rests.

CUMBERLAND, MD.,
December 4, 1862 - 1.10 p.m.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
General-in- Chief:

A detachment of my cavalry from New Creek had a brilliant and successful skirmish yesterday at Moorefield, in Hardy County, with a detachment of Stuart's cavalry. I am directed by General Cox to represent to you the necessity of keeping a force on the railroad and in the valley of the South Branch of the Potomac sufficient to protect the road and the loyal people, and to repel Imboden or any force that may come down the valley from the Warm Springs, or across from the Shenandoah Valley.

B. F. KELLEY,
Brigadier- General.

CUMBERLAND, December 4, 1862.

Major BASCOM,
Assistant Adjutant- General:

A detachment of our cavalry, composed of a portion of the Ringgold Battalion and Captain Rowan's company, First Virginia, under command of Lieutenant Myers, of the Ringgold Battalion, had a brilliant and successful skirmish yesterday with two companies of Stuart's cavalry, at Moorefield, Hardy County, West Virginia. Lieutenant Myers attacked them and routed them completely, compelling them to fly in every direction. Killed and wounded several, and captured Captain McDonald, with 9 of his men, arms, horses, & c. Lieutenant Myers had 1 man wounded and 3 horses killed.

B. F. KELLEY,
Brigadier-General.

The Fourteenth Camp Near New Creek VA.
December 6th.

Editors Intelligencer:

Nothing of special interest has transpired since my last communication to your paper, but as most of the other Virginia regiments have been pretty well represented lately, the friends of the Fourteenth Virginia, may perhaps desire to hear how the regiment is progressing, and whether or not it is spoiling for a fight.

We have a very suitable place for a camp, the intervals between different companies are kept clean and unobstructed, and little Cedar and Pine bushes planted along the borders give to our camp an appearance of comfort and cleanliness not common to most regiments. Although very well satisfied with our situation, the majority of the regiment would be well pleased to vary the monotony of camp life, by making a scouting expedition down toward Dixie, and I believe that application will be made in a short time for that privilege.

Some of the cavalry made quite a successful expedition to Moorefield, the other day, capturing a rebel Captain and part of his company, who were prowling around that place. The Captain's name is McDonald, and it is said that he owns the very stone house in which he was incarcerated, when brought to this place as a prisoner.

Our Colonel is Commander of the Post at this place, and I believe conducts the affairs of his new position in a manner entirely satisfactory to the troops under his control.

Thanksgiving Day was a bright and pleasant day, and seemed by its calmness and quietude to invoke Virginia's loyal sons to assemble around their altars and pay homage and reverence to the great Creator of the Universe, who has, through all our trials and troubles, so mercifully watched over and preserved us as a nation. The day was, I believe, observed and respected by all the regiments at this Post, as there was an order issued from Post Head Quarters, giving to each and every regiment the opportunity of showing their respect to the day set apart by our governor for a purpose so fitting, in this, our hour of trial.

General Milroy's Order in regard to the circulation of the Press, has given entire satisfaction, so far as I can learn, to all of the forces at this point, and any news boy handling the Press in these "Diggings," will in future stand a poor chance of speculating, if detected.

Up to this time we have had very little bad weather, and the season has been remarkably favorable to an advance, but even now the snow flakes are mantling the mountain peaks around us with a drapery of white, and the lowering sky portends the storms soon to break over us, and the impassable roads so chilling to our cherished hopes of a winter campaign.

We are all very anxious for an honorable peace, when we can again return to our homes and firesides, but we don't want the war to close until the Pierpont Guards has at least one brush with the enemy.

Yours,
W. H. G.
14th reg. Va., Vol. Inf.

Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: December 1862