Gen. Averill's Return to Beverly.
January 1, 1864
Beverly, West Va., Dec. 28, 1863.
Editors Intelligencer:
Averill's Brigade left us yesterday, after a short stay of two days. They got within the lines of Father Abraham just in time to enjoy a Christmas dinner. Poor fellows! they've had a hard time, but have made a successful trip, under the double disadvantage of high waters and cold weather, and well deserve the praises showered upon them. All seemed in high spirits over their success. Gen. Averill is much better liked by his men than when at Beverly before. Then they called him proud, and said they were afraid he had a little too much love for the rebels. Now they say "Gen. Averill is the man for us; he doesn't like the rebels, and isn't afraid to sit on the ground and eat broiled meat like a soldier." Amid all their privations they had any amount of fun. One of them gave me a description of their suppers, after they had destroyed their trains. Half a dozen of them warmed their feet, while the seventh cooked by the same fire. Presently the cook inquired who had stepped on his meat? The others all replied, they had, but if he'd put plenty of corn batter over it, he'd never see the dirt.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: December 1863