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

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: Undated: December 1862