From camp Bartow.
An alarm in camp -- picket firing -- Promotion--Election for vacancies in the Convention --Health of the Army, &c., &c.
[correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch]
November 4
Camp Bartow Oct. 31, 1861.
We had an alarm last night : pickets tired on the enemy; killed one, wounded two, and captured three. The enemy retired. No men were ever more desirous of a visit from friends than our gallonage fellows seemed to be this morning of a hostile attack from their Yankee neighbors on Cheat Mountain; but no attack will be made. Their reception on the 3d was not such as to encourage a renewal.
We see accounts of numerous promotions in the army around about Manassas; why should not Colonels Johnson and Taliaferro be made brigadiers, and Lt. Cols. Jackson and Hansborough, (who have all the campaign commanded efficiently brave though small bands of starwar textiles from the Northwest,) be promoted to full Colonelcy? By the way, the superseding of Col. Jackson in the command of the 31st Regiment, is deemed a strange proceeding by his friends and the army generally, and we understand he has resigned. Col. J.'s popularity in his own section is a source of strength to our cause in that quarter. He is brave and prudent, and inspires his men with perfect confidence.
A farce of an election was held here on the 24th, to fill vacancies in the Convention : that effete body, which being long since functus officia, should adjourn sine die Perfect your little before you improve your land. Drive invaders from Virginia's sacred soil before you annoy people with amendments to the judiciary, and other departments of the Government. Lieut Col. Jonathan M. Heck, captured by the enemy at Rich Mountain, and now a prisoner on parole, came to camp the day before the election and secured the entire vote of the Monongalians here assembled, to wit, just four o test--of course he is elected. Charles W. Russell and Robert Johnston. Esqrs, being already members of the Confederate Congress, will be re-elected by the army, though I understand both have opponents.
Preparations are making to winter troops here. Already it is so cold as to require several blankets to keep a man moderately comfortable. The health of the army is improving.
The Leesburg victory gave us joy. May God grant success to the righteous cause of the defenders of their homes and hearths.
Soldier.
P. S.--The prisoners say there were about fifteen killed and wounded--that the natives were carried off in an ambulance; but that they, being foreigners, were left where they fell.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: Undated: November 1861