We find the following account of the doings of the
Ohio and
Pennsylvania troops, who have invaded
Northwest Virginia, as given by their own organ in
Wheeling.
To wreak vengeance on these wretches at their own homes will be for all
Virginians a labor of love:
The movements in Western Virginia--men killed and wounded.
The Wheeling Intelligencer (Republican) has the following letter narrating the exploits of the
Federal troops in
Western Virginia:
‘
Shinnston, Va., June 22.--Yesterday a detachment of
Ohio troops, under
Capt. Calle, of the 20th regiment, company I, arrived here from
Mannington, via Hessville and Lumbersport, at which last place they took several prisoners.
Shortly after nightfall
Capt. Calle detached a squad of men to go down to
Righter's, under the guidance of two of our citizens.
On arriving at Righter's house
Captain Calle left his men in the yard, and advanced to the door, but could not gain admittance.
In a few moments a signal was heard at the back of the house, and instantly about seventy or eighty rebels, who had been collected and concealed by
Righter in the orchard, rushed around the corner of the house and fired on
Capt. Calle and his men, wounding one in the breast another in the arm, and wounding Jno. Nay, one of our citizens very badly in the groin.
On this attack the troops fired and dispersed, leaving Nay and the man wounded in the breast lying on the ground.
They were afterwards carried to Nay's father's, who lives about half a mile from
Righter's. The one wounded in the breast has since died.
The ball has been extracted from Nay's wound, and it is thought he will recover.
Capt. C. before daylight this morning, dispatched messengers to
Clarksburg and went himself to
Fairmont.
He returned about noon to-day, with about 250 men — went to
Righter's, great numbers of our citizens accompanying.
They found the premises deserted.
The troops entered his house and appropriated everything they thought would be useful.
They then set fire to the house (which you know is one of the finest in this section of the country,) to the stables, barn, and all the outbuildings, and they were consumed in one general conflagration.
I was present and witnessed it. They then took all the horses on the farm, several wagons and buggies, loaded the wounded men into them and moved to
Mannington.
Another company from
Fairmont went to
Worthington — About 150 came down from
Clarksburg this afternoon, and in company with a body of Home Guards from
Simpson's creek, went over to the
Coon's run country just after dark.
Their object is to form a sort of ring hunt and close in on
Righter's posse.
I think the expedition will be successful.
One incident occurred at
Righter's, at the sacking of the premises, that I must not omit.
Our troops had one Banks Corban (a noted rebel) prisoner.
While they were guarding him, he (being on horseback) started off as if to escape.
They commanded him to half twice, but he paid no attention.
They again told him to stop or they would shoot him from his horse.
Instead of complying he put spurs to his horse and attempted to escape.
The captain ordered his men to fire on him, when about a hundred obeyed, at least fifty balls striking him in the back, and nearly cutting him in two.
He fell from his horse, lifeless, not knowing what hurt him.
The Intelligencer remarks, editorially, that Nay is supposed to be mortally wounded, and that four or five of his friends were fired on and three killed. The property destroyed at
Righter's was very valuable.
The residence was a very fine one, and the horses and other stock on the farm, (which is one of the best in
Marion county,) are of superior quality.
Mr. R. lived like a prince, but now all is destroyed.
’
