Winchester Gazette

The disastrous news which our paper to-day communicates, is calculated to produce the most unpleasant and gloomy reflections: and from the intelligence and respectability of the writer of the letter, scarce a solitary gleam of hope remains, that the information he communicates is unfounded, or, we fear, even exaggerated. The next mail will probably ease the public mind from the painful state of suspense in which it at present is placed, on account of the absence of a more specific detail of the lamentable occurrence.

A company of United States' troops under the command of Lieut. Z. Morgan, arrived at this place from Morgantown on Monday last. To the utter shame and disgrace of the government, be it said, that these poor fellows encountered this long march, and have traversed the bleak wilds of the Alleghany mountain, clad in their light summer's dress!!! Their march through town thus equipped, could not fail to give rise to reflections most degrading and humiliating to the improvident, incapable set whom we look up to, to prosecute this ruinous war with effect. To add to this disgraceful neglect, there is not even a suit of warm clothing at this rendezvous with which these men can now be rendered comfortable--and what also proves beyond contradiction, the incapacity or unwarrantable neglect of the administration is, that not a cent of public money has been in the hands of this detachment since October last. It is a fact that several of them were enlisted without receiving the bounty, and it is said that with proper funds, 100 men might have been enlisted. Private funds were resorted to in several instances. These particulars are derived from one of the detachment, and if incorrect, will, on the suggestion of Lieut. Morgan, be corrected.